Around Ealing February/March 2020 | Page 9

UP FRONT War hero’s trunk is reunited with family A story on our website EalingNewsExtra. co.uk about the discovery of a war hero’s long- lost trunk got an enormous response from readers. The appeal for information has resulted in a happy ending. We were contacted by members of the family of the heroic First World War airman. And they have now been reunited with the trunk and have taken it home. For reasons unknown, the trunk was discovered by a couple when they looked in an old garden shed in their new garden, having just moved house. Fortunately, the trunk was inscribed with the name ‘HW Medlicott’ and ‘RFC’ and an internet search turned up a history story we had published previously on Ealing News Extra about Royal Flying Corps ace Harold Medlicott. The couple contacted us and we were able to help. Read the full story at ealingnewsextra.co.uk/history/trunk‑reunited – including Harold Medlicott’s incredible war tales of repeated escapes from enemy prisoner-of-war camps. Spring into cleaning The Great British Spring Clean is once again returning to Ealing, with events taking place across local parks and green spaces in March and April. The national campaign helps local communities get involved with taking care of their local patches by giving them a seasonal spruce-up. Clear-up activities will give you the opportunity to meet other people from across the community while helping local parks stay litter-free and looking their best. Find out more at ealingnewsextra.co.uk/features/ spring-clean-up 1 The early May bank holiday in 2020 has been moved from Monday, 4 May to Friday, 8 May to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). Commemorative events will take place over the three-day weekend across the country. Your rubbish and recycling collections will not be affected by this, or on the other bank holidays in April and May – see page 24. 2 An outstanding student who is doing a degree at Cambridge University has teamed-up with friends to run Team UPside – free academic and career support for local young people living on the estate he grew up on, to help them reach their potential. Read the full, inspiring story at ealingnewsextra.co.uk/ features/look‑on‑the-upside 3 Have you nominated anyone for the 2020 Ealing Sports Awards yet? Nominations are open for the annual awards, sponsored by Everyone Active. Visit ealingnewsextra.co.uk/ latest-news/sports-awards-2020 4 Residents are being asked to suggest topics for councillors to look into in the coming year for the council’s annual scrutiny panels. Anyone who lives or works in the borough is urged to submit ideas by Tuesday, 31 March. For more details, visit ealingnewsextra.co.uk/ features/scrutiny-2020 5 As part of a campaign to get people talking and improve mental wellbeing, a bench on Ealing Green has been allocated as an A-O-K (act of kindness) bench. Residents are encouraged to sit down and have a chat. It is part of a Thrive LDN wellbeing campaign. Read more at ealingnewsextra.co.uk/features/ AOK‑bench speedread around ealing    February/March 2020 9