Revealing Ealing: A Conversation with Marcus, Founder of @revealingealing

When it comes to uncovering the hidden stories of our borough, few people have captured the imagination of local residents quite like Marcus, the creator behind @revealingealing.

Through his posts, Marcus shines a light on the people, places and history that have shaped Ealing - from world-famous musicians who got their start here, to architectural landmarks we might pass every day without knowing their true significance. His passion for local heritage really struck a chord with me... a reminder that Ealing isn’t just a place to live, but a place with a rich and often surprising past.

I sat down with Marcus to learn more about how his journey began, what drives his love for local history and which Ealing gems he thinks deserve a little more recognition.

What first sparked your interest in sharing Ealing’s history and stories?

I was born in Ealing and have spent practically my entire life here, with the exception of when I was a fairly naïve 20-year-old. I decided that jumping on a plane to the other side of the world would answer all of my questions and solve all of my problems. Obviously, life isn’t that straight forward.

I spent 13 months away, travelling across Australia and New Zealand. Whilst I was having an incredible time and wasn’t ever desperately homesick, I grew to really love and appreciate where I grew up. I remember after returning in February 2020, walking through Ealing in the pouring rain. Most people could be forgiven for longing for Australian beaches at that point, but not me - I just had an overwhelming sense of this is where I belong.

I was so excited to catch up with friends and family, revisit the parks and pubs, and see what had changed while I’d been away. Unfortunately, the pandemic followed shortly after, and that cut things short. But I think it was during that strange period that I really began looking into Ealing’s history. The more I looked up, the more I found - it was like jumping into a wormhole. I couldn’t believe the sheer amount of incredible history and influential figures that came from right here, and I wondered why this wasn’t more commonly known. That prompted me to start sharing what I was learning.

A couple of years later, for Christmas, my mum bought me The A-Z of Ealing by Andy Bull. That little book was like a TARDIS of information, and it became almost an obsession! Eventually my girlfriend encouraged me to create an Instagram account to share it more widely, and that’s how @revealingealing was born.

Of all the famous people and historic places linked to Ealing, which one do you feel has been most overlooked or misunderstood?

There are so many to choose from! I guess I’d have to start with the Rolling Stones and the Ealing Club. Everyone knows The Beatles formed in Liverpool, and people can associate them with the Cavern Club. The Rolling Stones had an equal influence worldwide, yet hardly anyone - including locals - know about their connection with the Ealing Club (now the Red Room) or that they actually formed here in Ealing.

The Ealing Club also paved the way for musicians like Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, The Who, and many more. There was a great documentary recently - Suburban Steps to Rockland - about the club’s pivotal role in British music history, but I still don’t think it has the recognition it deserves, locally or nationally.

For a more personal choice, I’d say the Hanwell Viaduct. It’s the work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, right on our doorstep. It was vital during the Industrial Revolution, played a key role during the Second World War when it became a major target for the Luftwaffe, and even today it links London to Heathrow, the West of England, and Wales by rail. Beyond the history, I just never get tired of looking at it. It’s stunning, and honestly, my favourite place in Ealing.

When you’re researching or creating your posts, what’s the most surprising or delightful discovery you’ve made about the area?

There’s always something new to be discovered, so this answer will probably change over time! But recently, I was amazed to find out that the very first Waitrose in the country opened in Acton in 1904. I only discovered it by walking past a plaque on the pavement, and it really took me by surprise.

I also loved learning that Ealing is twinned with Marcq-en-Baroeul in France, Bielany (Warsaw) in Poland, and Kreis Steinfurt in Germany. Little details like that show just how connected our borough is to the wider world.

Marcus’s passion for Ealing is infectious, and his work through @revealingealing continues to uncover stories that remind us of the borough’s unique place in history. Next time you walk through the streets of Ealing, take a closer look - you might just be treading in the footsteps of rock legends, visionary engineers or groundbreaking entrepreneurs.