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Long evenings make this the ideal time of year for alfresco entertaining. Here’s how to make sure you have a social distancing party that’s eco-friendly too.

• Start by checking out the latest guidelines from the Government with regards social events. These can be found here.
• People may wish to bring their own their own food, plates, cutlery and glasses, so before you go ahead and buy in things, check with your guests in advance.
• Also be aware of seating arrangements and allowing space for social distancing, respect people’s space. If necessary, ask guests to bring their own chairs, cushions (hyperlink) or rugs (hyperlink).
• Set the mood with some lighting and make the evening last longer – opt for large lanterns with candles (hyperlink) inside and a few welcoming tea lights (hyperlink) on your table. Don’t forget citronella candles to help keep the bugs at bay.
• You could also use solar powered lanterns too.
• Think local when sourcing your party food – if you aren’t able to grow your own, look for British lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and courgettes and find your nearest farm shop. Ready-washed bags of salad from overseas use up a great deal of energy to get to us.
• Buy your meat from a nearby butcher. Buying locally helps reduce your carbon footprint and means you’re supporting businesses in your community too.
• Help with the recycling by labelling a couple of bins for glass and cans so people know where to pop their empties.
• Use biodegradable plates and cutlery to make clearing up easier and, also, to ensure your wastage isn’t adding to the country’s mounting landfill. Or if you’re using your best linens, glassware and china, then be sure to give it a good wash in the dishwasher or hot soapy water after use and also to keep washing your hands when serving people.