Theatre, picnics and vintage jazz were the order of the day in Hampstead Garden Suburb’s Central Square last Sunday.

Hundreds of people descended on the square to enjoy the annual Summer Picnic Fun Day and were kept entertained by jugglers and magicians, while children took advantage of the mini-roundabouts and free donkey rides, as well as face painting and Punch & Judy shows.

Sales of strawberries and cakes raised nearly £500 for the North London Hospice during the event, which was opened by the mayor of Barnet, Melvin Cohen.

Organised by the Hampstead Garden Suburbs Residents Association, the Fun Day coincided with the area’s week-long literary and music festival which began on June 22nd.

This year some of the highlights included a talk from TV chef and author Antonio Carluccio, and performances of extracts from Viennese opera as part of St Jude’s Proms.

Picnickers also enjoyed dramatic play readings of A tale of Two Cities by members of The Garden Suburb Theatre and performances by the local Youth Music Centre and Guildhall Jazz Quartet.