Our Area
There are so many interesting things about the area we live in, and we hope you enjoy finding out more about them. This is just the tip of the iceberg, so we'll be adding to the page whenever we find anything thought-provoking or entertaining.
History
A nice description of rural Ealing in the days before the trams and trains rolled into town can be found on the web site of the Haven pub.
For a very detailed and comprehensive history, it's hard to beat British History Online, an amazing resource with information drawn from a wide number of sources, including the History of the County of Middlesex.
Ealing also hit the big-time in a number of Victorian sports. Ealing Lawn Tennis Club describes its illustrious past and the famous names associated with the club, including domination of Wimbledon. Ealing Rugby Club played its first game on Ealing Common in 1869, before even the RFU was formed.
Outside of West London, Ealing is mainly known for the contribution of Ealing Studios to the history of film. We were looking for information on the Studios, when we happened upon this nice site, Wicked Lady . The link takes you to a page all about Ealing Studios, but there's also lots about classic British films and film stars, written by enthusiasts. Another good site is the Britmovie site about the British film industry. Ealing Studios themselves have a site, with a view of what is happening today and a very brief history.
Reminiscence Roadshow - group based at Gunnersbury Park Museum which records oral history and publishes books and photos about the community in Ealing and Hounslow.
Memories of Ealing - free-flowing remininscences
Middlesex Family History Society - for those with curiosity about their own family's past
Brentford and Chiswick History Society - arranges events (and we do have to admit that Brentford actually has a very interesting and much more eventful history than Ealing!)
Ealing Local History Centre - based in Ealing Central Library
Ealing Fields Residents' Association has published an attractive and reasonably priced history of the area around Little Ealing, worth looking out for in shops and libraries.
Interesting Locations
The Brentham estate, a collection of 560 houses, was built through the inspiration of various 20th century movements, including the Labour, Co-operative, and Arts and Crafts movements. The Brentham Heritage Society explains more and gives details of the book they have published on the subject.
The link will take you to some vivid descriptions of life in the classic '30s apartments built to house people working in the film industry and their current go-getting residents' association.
There used to be a web site for the Model Cottages, just off Northfield Avenue, but the web address no longer works - anyone know what it is?
You have to read this wonderful page on BBC London's website. As Robin says, "A very thoughtful description of one of Ealing's lesser-appreciated attractions", and we couldn't have put it better ourselves.
Caring for our Environment
Ealing Civic Society is concerned with what Ealing looks like and what it is like to live in." Not the most poetic mission statement, but clear and to the point! If you want a say in development and planning issues in the area, visit their website.
West London Friends of the Earth has a web site covering issues relating to the whole of the West London area.
Regular Events
London Open House
Every year in September, owners of houses and buildings of architectural or historical interest open up their properties for one week-end to the general public. It is a fascinating opportunity to see inside some of those buildings which may have intrigued you from the outside, or to learn more about buildings you didn't even know were of interest in the first place. Details of dates are available here, and they have cunningly hidden the list of houses open in each area in the most obscure place. On the site, click "Open House London", then from the "Buildings Information" section, there's an online search by borough. Sadly, a simpler way of getting details of buildings/houses, opening hours and a brief description of what makes that particular place special, is to get down to your local library in late August for a free guide.
The Friends of Blondin Park, where there is a very small nature reserve, have events during the year, though you'll have to look out for them on posters and leaflets. The area around Little Ealing and Blondin Park used to be orchards (see Bramley, Wellington and Julien Roads for apple connections), and there is an annual Apple celebration day.
Every Christmas, the Pitshanger Community Assocation and Pitshanger traders organise "Light Up the Lane", a fun evening when the christmas lights are switched on. In June, they organise the Party in the Park, another popular event.
In recent years, the Ealing Summer Festival, focussed mainly on a strong programme free Jazz concerts in Walpole and a comedy festival, has been Ealing's big event of the calendar. Each year funding has to be reviewed, but it is enormously popular and well attended.