People across the borough will stop what they are doing to observe a two minutes’ silence on Thursday (11 November) as the country pauses to remember those who lost their lives in conflict.

On Sunday (8 November), the borough’s main Remembrance Sunday memorial service took place on Ealing Green, in front of Pitzhanger Manor House and Walpole Park. Despite it also being the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, it had to be a low-key and socially distanced affair this year because of the national coronavirus lockdown. But the Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Doctor Abdullah Gulaid, led the service. And it was streamed live online via the council’s YouTube channel for the public and those who could not attend because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Today (Thursday, 11 November), the mayor will also be observing the national two-minute silence for Armistice Day at 11am on the steps of Ealing Town Hall. It will be filmed and livestreamed to the council’s Facebook page.

Although it was a very different Remembrance Sunday this year, Greener Ealing Ltd (GEL) staff were out in force to ensure the borough was looking its best to remember those who have fallen.

GEL manages the borough’s rubbish and recycling collections as well as maintaining all of its parks and green spaces. It is owned by Ealing Council and the new service started serving residents and businesses this summer.

In the run-up to the annual Remembrance events, GEL’s grounds maintenance team paid special attention to the borough’s seven main war memorials to ensure they were weed-free, tidy and clear of leaves – which could otherwise be slippery and dangerous, especially for any older residents paying their respects at the sites.

Many of the GEL staff worked for the council’s old contractor and it became an annual tradition for staff to lay a wreath at Ealing War Memorial. Pictured here (and above) is Allen Ruane from the grounds maintenance team, laying the wreath. He has worked within Ealing crews since he was 16 and works out of Acton Grounds Maintenance Depot.

Kevin O’Leary, Greener Ealing’s managing director, said: “Although the Remembrance events have taken a slightly different format this year because of the COVID pandemic, we will continue to remember those who fought in the wars and those who lost someone they loved.

“I am proud of the work my teams do and we have received some wonderful feedback. It’s good to know that people appreciate their efforts, particularly during this second lockdown period as they continue to work tirelessly to deliver services.”

You can see more photos of GEL’s preparation for Remembrance on its Instagram page.