The Goodlet diaries: Week 46
Week 46 sees Armistice Day being commemorated and Goodlet remembers the day itself when the First World War ended and he, as a teenager, wept in a train carriage. Now in his 30s he looks back and wishes he had been involved – while grateful to be alive. November 1936 Sunday, 8.11.36 Up late as […]
How to keep bonfires and fireworks fun but fair
This weekend (5-6 November) there is bound to be a host of fireworks exploding in the sky and bonfires being lit. But there are rules around both to avoid your fun becoming a nuisance to others. It is an offence under national legislation to use fireworks between the hours of 11pm and 7am except on […]
Turning the Piggeries into a silk purse
A group of residents, with the help of the council, has been steadily constructing a ‘fruit route’: A waterside trail of fruit trees and wildlife habitats. In the process they are also beautifying a strip of land that, in places, had become almost lost to sight. The Piggeries Orchard was one of four projects to receive funding […]
Leaves: Clearing the crunch
Sweeping teams have been taking to the streets this week – and will continue over the coming weeks – to tackle the increase in fallen leaves. With its tree-lined streets, beautiful parks and open spaces, Ealing gets a high volume of fallen leaves. Teams will be prioritising the clear-up of the leaves on the basis of […]
Time to remember
On Armistice Day (11 November), and on Remembrance Sunday (13 November) the country will stop to commemorate the sacrifice of our armed forces, past and present. A two-minute silence will, as ever, take place for Armistice Day. And official Remembrance Sunday services and events will take place at war memorials across the country – and […]
The Goodlet diaries: Week 45
‘Things are very difficult at home these days’, writes Goodlet in week 45 of the serialisation of his diaries from 1936. Meanwhile, Mussolini is making a nuisance of himself and Goodlet’s ‘projected visit to the Admiralty’ (pictured) is called off. Read the start of the series, the introduction, here. November 1936 Sunday, 1.11.36 Late to […]
The Goodlet diaries: Week 44
Week 44 rather bizarrely sees Goodlet registering his regret over the abolishing of the cutlass. A haircut, not with a cutlass one would assume, and a road accident he witnesses, provide a domestic background to the war noises continuing to rage on the international scene. See past weeks, and an introduction, in the history section. […]
Helping the Calais ‘jungle’ children
In August, I visited the refugee camp in Calais that is often referred to as ‘the jungle’. As you can see from the video above, it confirmed what I already knew: Ealing needed to do something to help. It is a stain on humanity that those people are all there – but it is even […]
Rugby players ‘tag’ along to school contest
Around 400 local school children took part in a borough-wide tag rugby competition hosted by a top club. Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club, in Vallis Way, Ealing, provided the setting for the contest. Its first team competes in the national Championship against some of the country’s best sides. There were teams from 37 primary schools from […]
The Goodlet diaries: Week 43
Week 43. Cashing a cheque at a bank in Acton (pictured) brought a bit of relief to a week tarnished by financial worries and a flood of bills. Violence, riots and sinking ships in the news do nothing to cheer Goodlet. See past weeks, and an introduction, in the history section. October 1936 Saturday, 17.10.36 Up earlier this […]
Swimming event for those with sight loss
A free swimming event is being put on this Saturday (15 October) for people with sight loss. It is an opportunity to develop your confidence, regardless of age and ability. The afternoon will consist of two one-hour beginners’ sessions, for those looking to increase skills and confidence – one for those aged 14 and below, […]
Festival up for national awards
A local music festival, which is just four years old, has been shortlisted for two national awards. The Hanwell Hootie has been nominated in the UK Festival Awards in two categories: Best Medium-Sized Festival and Best Metropolitan Festival. Award winners are decided through a combination of online fan votes and music industry experts – and […]