13/08/2026
We’re still trying to take in what happened at Canal Street last night.
Our idea was pretty simple. Bring a few people together, grab a coffee or a b**r, look up and share something extraordinary.
We knew it might be busy.
We didn’t expect queues down the canal.
Yesterday afternoon, as messages about eclipse glasses flooded in, we posted something that summed up what we hoped the evening would become:
“Tonight isn’t about the glasses.”
And looking back at these photographs, it really wasn’t.
It was hundreds of people, of all ages and from across our community, standing together by the water.
Strangers talking to strangers.
People passing their glasses to someone they’d never met.
Children getting a turn.
People looking up together as the light began to change. ❤️
It was busy. At times, incredibly challenging for our team. And we know it wasn’t perfect.
Some people queued for a long time. Some struggled to park. Some came hoping for glasses after our very limited supply had gone.
We know there was disappointment and frustration, and we’re genuinely sorry to those whose experience wasn’t what they hoped it would be.
We certainly learnt a few things about what happens when a small community gathering unexpectedly becomes a very big one!
But overwhelmingly, what we saw was patience, kindness, generosity and community.
Exactly what we hoped for. ❤️
And perhaps the best example was Angela, a local resident who saw what was happening, stepped in to help and encouraged people to share their glasses around.
That spontaneous act of community spirit captures the evening better than anything we could write.
To Grace and the entire Canal Street team, who suddenly found themselves looking at a queue disappearing around the corner and just got on with it, thank you. ❤️
And to everyone who helped, jumped in, shared glasses, waited patiently, bought a coffee, b**r or something to eat, or simply found a space outside and looked up with us, thank you.
And some special thank yous.
To Karen at The Single Reservation, whose idea and enthusiasm helped make the whole thing possible in the first place, a huge thank you.
And to Rachael Rachael, who generously sha
