Residents across Ealing joined with Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Hitesh Tailor and other local dignitaries including Ealing Central & Acton MP Dr Rupa Huq to mark Armed Forces Day on 24 June 2023.
Along with Councillor Steve Donnelly, lead member for inclusive economy at Ealing Council, the Mayor hosted a performance by the St Benedict’s CCF corps drums outside Ealing Town Hall in the morning.
MP for Ealing Central & Acton Dr Rupa Huq said of the event on Twitter: “This #ArmedForcesDay I joined @Hitesh_T the borough’s Deputy Lieutenant and councillors @EalingCouncil to show gratitude to our armed forces including Gurkhas and cadets They keep us safe, promote peace and make sacrifices for us all.”
She added: “They keep us safe, promote peace and make sacrifices for us all.”
Ealing Council has an Armed Forces Covenant which was first signed in June 2012. It was renewed in October 2021 and currently the council has been awarded silver recognition. The council says it is aiming to achieve a gold award.
The award is given by the Defence Employee Recognition Scheme (ERS) which recognises policies in relation to recruitment practices, housing allocation, school admissions and support training for reservists by providing at least five days’ additional paid leave.
According to recent data from London Councils, Ealing has 4,800 veterans across the borough along with 248 war pensioners. Neighbouring Brent Council has 5,300 veterans and 133 war pensioners while Harrow has 6,200 veterans and 218 war pensioners.
In a statement in advance of the Armed Forces Day, Ealing Council leader, Councillor 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.”
