Big community fair is barking up right tree

18 June 2007

Jeni Connibeer

ANIMAL lovers and their pets are preparing to celebrate a Perfect Day in Swiss Cottage.

A community fair organised on behalf of Swiss Cottage school is to feature dog trainer Dima Yeremenko, displays of farm animals and a grand opening show from the King's Troop horses, based nearby in Ordnance Mews, St John's Wood.

The event on July 1 is being run by a group of residents who aim to bring carnival to Avenue Road and raise money for the special school.

Organiser Marsha Lee said: "This grew out of an idea to have a school fete last year - and it just grew and grew. This year it is going to be tremendous. People know what we are about now and we have been overwhelmed with businesses and groups wanting to get involved."

And among the hordes of shops, market stall holders, entertainers and voluntary groups will be a selection of animal attractions.

Residents with unruly pets are being encouraged to bring them along so that Mr Yeremenko, founder of the Good Boy Dog School, can offer up a canine cure.

Mr Yeremenko, who grew up in the Ukraine, now holds regular training sessions with his school in Hendon and New Southgate and runs dog walking sessions on Hampstead Heath.

And he will be running a special dog show on stage during the festival which will see the whole of Avenue Road closed to traffic.

A Perfect Day organiser Fiorella Massey said: "Dima is quite extraordinary. You see him walking up on the Heath and he is quite literally surrounded by dogs and they are completely mesmerised by him. They are totally in his thrall and with just a wave or a word or whatever he has them absolutely eating out of his hand.

"He is a regular sight on the Heath and it is fabulous that he is coming to our festival. Everybody knows Dima."

Also bringing some hands-on entertainment are the good folks from Freightliner's Farm in Holloway. The working city farm is home to sheep, pigs, bees, geese, pigeons, quail, rabbits and ducks in its animal village petting area and also has a farm shop, café and classrooms.

And if that isn't enough to turn on the aaah factor, the charity Dogs Trust will be at the fair with a selection of unwanted pets available for adoption.

"They are bringing two or three of their dogs that have been abandoned and people will be able to sign up for them on the spot," said Ms Lee.

Elsewhere on A Perfect Day, there will be a classic car show, food from Waitrose, Itsu, Krispy Kreme and Lola's Kitchen to name but a few and music from pupils at South Hampstead, UCS and Trevor Roberts schools.

The Ham&High is supporting A Perfect Day and will bring you the latest news on its preparations over the next few weeks. For more pictures from last year's event, see www.hamhigh.co.uk.

jeni.connibeer@hamhigh.co.uk