St Mary’s changing fortunes
In 1963, church historian Eric Beavis published a book: Perivale – Its Manor, Church and Patronage. More than 50 years later, his daughter Hilary has published an updated version to reflect the remarkable resurrection of the medieval St Mary’s Church. Humble beginnings St Mary’s was founded in the 12th Century. It would have looked very […]
Why we have frozen council tax again
This month Ealing Council agreed to freeze council tax again for the eighth consecutive year – something that, to be frank, I did not dare hope we would be in a position to do again. The vast majority of councils are expected to put up council tax in April, after the government gave the go […]
The Goodlet diaries: Week eight
This is the eighth week of our serialisation of Ealing resident Alexander Goodlet’s diary from 80 years ago. This week, illness seems to strike all around, and his mother is packed off to Brighton to recover from nervous exhaustion. To see the background to the serialisation, and the cast of characters, read our introduction. February […]
A Living Wage borough
This week (Tuesday, 16 February), the council’s cabinet approved plans for a scheme to encourage local firms to pay their employees the London Living Wage. The London Living Wage is currently £9.40 an hour, which is £2.70 more than the national minimum wage to reflect the fact Londoners face higher living costs than the rest […]
Can you think like a burglar?
This video takes you on a walkthrough around a local home, giving you tips on how to secure your home better. The council’s safer communities team often tells residents to look at their home through the eyes of a burglar. This includes thinking about how they would get in to their home if they had […]
The Goodlet diaries: Week seven
This is the seventh week of our serialisation of Ealing resident Alexander Goodlet’s diary from 80 years ago. This week, a relative visits who had fled the Russian revolution; Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin (pictured) and Parliament begin to discuss British defences amid news of riots and war filtering in from abroad; and his mother (‘Mater’) takes unwell. […]
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 […]