A retired London double-decker bus is getting a new purpose at St Ann’s School in Hanwell, where it will become a sensory learning space for pupils aged 11 to 19 with severe and complex learning difficulties.

Donated by Arriva London, the bus will give pupils a place to explore everyday experiences, from sitting in the driver’s seat to trying the steering wheel and controls.

The school hopes these activities will support communication, coordination, confidence and independence.

Getting the vehicle into the playground took about three hours and involved around 15 people, with the final stretch requiring the bus to be pushed uphill by hand.

Engineers first removed its engine, gearbox and fluids, while other partners supplied tyres and helped with transport.

The project builds on St Ann’s creative approach to learning, including its London Under the Sea sensory playground, which opened in 2025.

Residents, schools, community groups and businesses across the London Borough of Ealing can apply for Your Voice Your Town grants to improve their neighbourhoods.

Backed by Ealing Council, the programme supports projects chosen with Town Teams in Acton, Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale and Southall.

Grants range from £150 to £15,000 for ideas such as youth activities, greener spaces, practical skills and stronger community connections.

Each town has its own priorities, from young people’s wellbeing in Southall to employment skills and business links in Perivale.

Since the programme began last year, 77 projects have received funding, including a Northolt walking group and a Greenford nature reserve.

Applications close at 1pm on Thursday 3 December 2026.

The council describes the round as worth £486,000, but its published town allocations total £541,000, so applicants should check their town’s funding page for the applicable budget and eligibility rules.

Ealing recorded 1,028 new company registrations across 12 high street trades in 2025, up about 66% from 618 in 2019 and the 10th-highest total among 361 UK local authorities.

Southall led the borough’s growth: registrations in the Ealing Southall parliamentary constituency more than doubled, from 162 to 356.

Across Ealing, takeaways, cafés, convenience stores, and hair and beauty businesses all saw increases, reflecting continued interest in services for local communities.

But registrations are not a count of new shop openings: the figures do not confirm whether companies operate from their registered addresses.

After three years, 47.4% of companies in the Ealing cohorts examined remained on the Companies House register, below the national figure of 51.4%.

That measure does not establish whether a business is trading or has failed, but it underscores the challenge of helping new ventures remain viable.

Ealing Council and West London College are asking local employers to pledge 25 apprenticeships in 25 days, opening up paid training opportunities for residents across the borough.

Running from 4 to 28 November 2026, the campaign welcomes businesses of all sizes, including those hiring an apprentice for the first time.

Through the Ealing Borough Apprenticeship Scheme, employers can get help choosing training, finding candidates and exploring financial support.

Eligible businesses may have up to 100% of apprenticeship training costs covered through levy transfer funding, subject to availability.

Employers can learn more at a launch event on 4 November, from 9am to 11am, at Perceval House in Ealing, or pledge an opportunity through the scheme.

For residents, each new apprenticeship could offer a chance to earn a wage, build practical skills and work towards a qualification.

Ealing Book Festival will return for six days in 2027, bringing author talks, workshops and family activities to venues across the borough.

The main festival runs from Tuesday 27 April to Sunday 2 May, following a week of school and community events beginning 19 April.

A dedicated Children’s Day in Southall on 24 April will help bring storytelling and creative activities to families beyond Ealing Broadway.

Events will return to the University of West London, Questors Theatre and Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, with a Local Authors’ Showcase also expected.

The expansion follows a record 2026 festival, which drew more than 3,400 people to 27 events.

Since its launch in 2024, the festival has welcomed more than 6,500 visitors and grown from three days to six.

The full programme, participating authors and ticket details are expected in February 2027.

Looking for things to do in Ealing this week? From a canal-side festival and outdoor cinema to live theatre, film, family activities and local walks, there are plenty of reasons to get out and explore the borough.

Great Local Experiences to Try in the London Borough of Ealing. 

You don't have to head into central London to find something interesting to do this weekend. From a brand-new photography exhibition and contemporary art to hilltop views, a family zoo and a little local history, there's plenty to discover closer to home.

Here are some ideas for exploring The London Borough of Ealing. 

Content syndication empowers businesses to extend the reach of their articles, blogs, and insights far beyond a single website.

By republishing quality content on relevant platforms, companies create more paths for potential customers to discover their expertise and brand — whether through search, social media, or industry publications.

Effective syndication isn’t about duplicating content everywhere.

Instead, it’s a strategic process that supports organic discovery, boosts referral traffic, and multiplies a business’s digital touchpoints.

Proper execution ensures that distributed content serves as both a discovery tool and an opportunity for audiences to engage, without falling into SEO pitfalls or duplicate content issues.

Partnering with platforms like Iroma Media helps local businesses turn a single piece into an ongoing asset, making their content investment work even harder.

If your business struggles to get content noticed, syndication could be the missing piece for greater reach and authority.

Age UK Ealing is an independent local charity supporting older people in and around the London Borough of Ealing.

It promotes their wellbeing and interests, helping them live fulfilling, independent lives.

The charity is based at Greenford Community Centre, 170 Oldfield Lane South, Greenford UB6 9JS, and can be contacted at [email protected].