PREPARATIONS for the school fete to end all school fetes are currently under way in Swiss Cottage. Thanks to the stirling efforts of eight residents, Avenue Road is to be transformed into a community playground for A Perfect Day on July 1. There will be

PREPARATIONS for the school fete to end all school fetes are currently under way in Swiss Cottage.

Thanks to the stirling efforts of eight residents, Avenue Road is to be transformed into a community playground for A Perfect Day on July 1.

There will be everything from classic cars to school choirs and jazz bands, quad bikes, King's Troop horses and a fire engine at the grand event to raise money for Swiss Cottage school.

Organiser Marsha Lee said: "It all started last year when I went in to the school next door to ask about growing ivy on their wall and the place just blew me away.

"From the outside it looks like nothing but inside is the most incredible facility for children with special needs. It is the most amazing place and it is right under our noses and I thought we just have to get the community involved in this fantastic school."

Ms Lee, a film producer, spoke to what she describes as some "pretty dynamic neighbours" and the first Perfect Day was born, growing from the initial plan for a school fete into a major event featuring Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey as special guest.

And this year it is going to be even bigger.

Ms Lee said: "Last year we won permission from Camden Council to close the road just three weeks before so we had hardly any time to make it a big event - but we did it.

"This year it has been easier because people know what we are about now and we have been overwhelmed with businesses and groups wanting to get involved."

The day will again include a classic car display but this time the star of the show will be an original Batmobile.

There will be a kosher barbecue, food stalls from Itsu, Harry Morgan, Crispy Crème, Starbucks and Lola's Kitchen and Waitrose will be offering free wine tasting and canapès.

There will be displays from the Cabbages and Frocks market traders, a bouncy castle, a craft section where children can get creative and a hands-on petting zoo, courtesy of Freightliners Farm in Islington.

"Last year we raised £15,000 and we weren't really concentrating on the money, it was more about awareness," said Ms Lee.

"This year we are thinking about cash and we want to raise at least twice that."

All the money goes to the school, which, despite its excellent reputation, is currently facing an uncertain future. The site on Adelaide Road is part of Camden Council's plans for a new secondary under the government's Building Schools for the Future programme.

Residents concerned about the plans will be circulating a petition at A Perfect Day.

Ms Lee said: "Here we are trying to grow awareness of this school, and get the community to adopt it, but at the same time Camden is alienating the community by planning to double its size, put two tower blocks next door and create a massive new school for 1,500 pupils."

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 our website at www.hamhigh.co.uk.