The bunting is already out and the cakes are in the oven - neighbours in Kingsbury’s Roe Green Village are busily prepping for a birthday party to mark their community’s centenary on Saturday.
Built in 1918 to house the workers of the nearby De Havilland aircraft factory, the historical homes’ current owners have been careful to retain the village’s peaceful atmosphere and conservation status.
To celebrate, neighbours and friends will come together on the village green to witness Cllr Arshad Mahmood, the mayor of Brent, reveal the revamped village sign, and see an original Tiger Moth aeroplane fly past.
The De Havilland DH82 was designed and built at the nearby Stag Lane aerodrome in Edgware and will soar above the crowd at 3pm.
“The Tiger Moth was one of the planes that was built at the De Havilland factory, so I think it will be a crowd puller,” said Debbie Nyman, the day’s organiser.
More than 250 houses and flats were designed by architect Sir Frank Baines following the principles of the garden-city movement. They were built by German prisoners of war on former farmland.
“I think it’s the most green place in Brent,” says Debbie. “Most people know each other. We’re very lucky to live here.”
June has been a month of celebration for the residents, who’ve held a community walk, a dog show and a quiz.
On Saturday, the Brent Concert Band, a Punch and Judy show and a bake off – judged by Great British Bake Off participant Urvashi Roe – will keep visitors entertained on the village green.
There will also be stalls where people can buy Chinese calligraphy, have a head massage and take part in arts and crafts activities.
The community is actively involved in a campaign to protect Roe Green as a conservation area.
Brent Council rejected a joint application from nearby Kingsbury High School and Powerleague last June for floodlit football pitches to be built in the academy’s Bacon Lane campus. But the two organisations have appealed and there will be a further hearing on August 1.
“You can imagine your back garden being floodlit until late at night, whistles going off,” said Debbie.
“People are very nervous about it – this could ruin their lives.”
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