Ealing Council will be raising the flag on Saturday, 24 June to celebrate Armed Forces Day 2023.

The Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Hitesh Tailor and Councillor Steve Donnelly, lead member for inclusive economy, will host a performance by the St Benedict’s CCF corps drums outside Ealing Town Hall at 11am on Saturday. This event is open to anyone to attend, please make your way there for 10.30am and gather on the pavement outside of the Town Hall entrance.

Silver recognition

The council has a well-publicised Armed Forces Covenant document, which was renewed in October 2021 and launched the local Armed Forces Partnership Forum and a dedicated AFC webpage and directory of local support and information.

As a result, the council has recently been awarded the Silver award by the Defence Employee Recognition Scheme (ERS). The national accreditation scheme recognises our positive and inclusive policies in relation to recruitment practices, housing allocation, school admissions and support training for reservists by providing at least five days’ additional paid leave. The council also demonstrated the support provided to serving members of the armed forces and their families, veterans and cadets. This includes information on housing, employment, welfare, education and health services as well as cost of living support and advice.

Council leader, Peter Mason said: “Back in October 2021 when we renewed our Armed Forces Covenant, I made a commitment that we would not just sign it and forget it and that we, with our partners right across the public, private and voluntary sectors, would do right by our veterans and service personnel.

“We’ve achieved silver but we will continue to work towards gold, taking pride in everything our armed forces and veterans have done and continue to do for our country.”