Local history
We have a rich local history: From daredevil pilots to royal molecatchers, and from manor houses to once rural villages. Our borough has had more than its fair share of fascinating characters, interesting tales, and also has towns recorded in the Domesday book. Curious about the area's past and its role in various national or international events? Then read on. We have collated years of history articles for you from Around Ealing magazine and included others that have appeared online more recently, which will be added to regularly as we go along, including a serialisation of a diary from the 1930s. Thanks must go to the borough's archivist Dr Jonathan Oates - because many of the stories are written or researched by him - and to the local history section of Ealing Central Library.
Evacuation of children from Ealing in 1939
Concerns about aerial bombing if the Second World War broke out led to plans being drawn up for the evacuation...
Help film to rock all over the world
The people behind an acclaimed film about how a small club in Ealing helped shape early rock music into a...
Ealing’s link to the first flight across the Atlantic
Last week (14-15 June) marked a significant date in aviation: The 100-year anniversary of the first ever non-stop flight over...
D-Day: ‘The hour so long awaited has come’
With the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy that ushered in a long and hard-fought, but ultimately successful,...
Plaque to computer pioneer Ada Lovelace unveiled
A plaque to commemorate mathematician and computer pioneer Ada Lovelace was unveiled by the Earl of Lytton, her direct descendant,...
Libraries: A story of more than books
Ealing’s libraries were born more than 130 years ago thanks to local people wanting to do something good for their...
The great women of Gunnersbury
To mark International Women's Month, Gunnersbury Park and Museum is hosting two talks - and a tour - this Saturday...
European refugees in Ealing during the last century
London’s population has always been one of comings and goings and migration and immigration; but in the last century, Ealing...
Henrietta: The king’s mistress and the Georgian court
Henrietta Howard, later Countess of Suffolk, was the long-term mistress and confidante of King George II. In March, renowned writer and...
Southall riots: 23 April 1979
On 23 April it will be the 40th anniversary of the events in Southall in 1979 that were later to...
Southall riots: A personal reflection
Councillor Jasbir Anand represents Southall Green ward and is a member of the council’s cabinet. However, in 1979 she was...
The truth behind the Truth of Murder
Some readers may have seen the TV drama shown on Channel 5 in December titled Agatha Christie and the Truth...