The Goodlet diaries: Week six
This is the sixth week of our serialisation of Ealing resident Alexander Goodlet’s diary from 80 years ago. This week, a strike at Smithfields is in the news but some unwelcome financial developments are occurring at home. To see the background to the serialisation, and the cast of characters, read our introduction. February 1936 Wednesday 5.2.36 […]
The Goodlet diaries: Week five
This is the fifth week of our serialisation of Alexander Goodlet’s diaries from 80 years ago. This week Goodlet’s attention is taken by ‘that ass’ Hitler, by various domestic happenings and a few shopping trips. (You can read the introduction to series here). January-February 1936 Wednesday 29.1.36 Got to bed on the sofa at 4.30 and […]
The Goodlet diaries: Week four
This is the fourth week of our serialisation of Alexander Goodlet’s diaries from 80 years ago. This week, Nazi Germany begins to attract international approbation, Goodlet sees the king’s body lying in state – and watches the funeral train pass Hanger Lane. (Read the introduction to series here). January 1936 Wednesday, 22.1.36 The mater wakened […]
Project proves river love runs deep
A group of volunteers slipped on their wellies and got their hands dirty to help clean up an area of the River Brent – a beautiful local waterway recently celebrated in a photographic competition. Where the river runs between Hanwell and Greenford, volunteers organised by charity Thames21 and Ealing Council’s park rangers have been collecting […]
Soane’s Ealing legacy
Pitzhanger Manor has been closed as part of a large project to restore it to its former Regency-era glories – inspired by its most famous past owner, Sir John Soane. Its former grounds, Walpole Park, were reopened by the council last year after a similar makeover. The association of Soane and Pitzhanger Manor is well […]
The Goodlet diaries: Week three
This is week three of the diary entries of Alexander Goodlet of Ealing, 80 years ago. Have you read the introduction? This week, Goodlet is shocked and moved by news of the death of the king – and a pair of lost explorers are found. January 1936 Wednesday 15.1.36 Surpassed myself today by sleeping peacefully on until 4 […]
The Goodlet diaries: Week two
This is week two of the diary entries of Alexander Goodlet of Ealing, 80 years ago. This week, he writes about war in Africa, and the premature announcement of the death of a famous author – who then promptly falls seriously ill. Have you read the introduction? January 1936 Wednesday 8.3.36 Slept practically all day and was […]
The Goodlet diaries: Week one
This is week one of the diary entries of Alexander Goodlet of Ealing, 80 years ago. This week he writes as the new year begins; and it brings yachting, school reports for his brother, news of a bombing in Sweden and disasters at sea. Have you read the introduction? January 1936 Wednesday 1.1.36 Although I promised to […]
The Goodlet diaries: Introduction
Borough archivist Dr Jonathan Oates has rewound time in Ealing by 80 years and we find ourselves in the world according to Alexander Goodlet, a relatively unusual man in extraordinary times as the world stumbled towards war. His writings are a source of information Dr Oates returns to time and again for his talks at […]
Bank’s red carpet, going undercover and Mr Selfridge
The BBC’s brand new drama Undercover stars Sophie Okonedo (Mrs Mandela, The Secret Life Of Bees) as Maya and Adrian Lester (Merlin) as her husband Nick. Maya is about to become the country’s new director of public prosecutions but Nick’s past as an undercover officer infiltrating dangerous organisations is coming back to haunt him, with […]
Countdown to Hootie begins…
The Hanwell Hootie has become an established fixture on the local music calendar since it first ran three years ago, taking over many of the town’s pubs for live bands and a festival atmosphere. On 2 April 2016 the event returns, still backed by Ealing Council, Hanwell Association of Traders, Ealing Blues Festival, the Ealing […]
Litten: Nature’s gift
It feels like you are being transported into a secret garden when you walk through the gate of the Litten Nature Reserve, reports Neelum Bains. It is an oasis of calm and natural beauty just metres away from some of Greenford’s busiest roads. The reserve was awarded gold, and category winner for small conservation area, […]