I got a double dose of Ealing heritage at the Ealing Flute Festival. Sitting in St Mary’s, Perivale, you marvel at the roof beams from the 1500s and the stonework from even earlier. But the real wonder was on the stage.
The Ealing Flute Festival is the brainchild of Ealing flautist Chris Hankin and is dedicated to the memory of William Bennett, a master of the instrument who lived in the area and taught Hankin. The Festival, now in its second year, raises vital funds for the Ealing Food Bank.
This year’s Festival was based around four concerts, all at St Mary’s. On Friday 19 June 2026 Chris Hankin played a recital with pianist Sally Goodworth. On Saturday 20 June 2026 there was the Ealing Flutes Musicale and a concert by Ealing Flutes Soloists. The Festival closed on Sunday (21 June 2026) with a concert by Ealing Flutes.
Ealing Flutes Musicale was introduced by Chris Rankin, followed by performances by 13 young Ealing flautists. Repertoire ranged from Bach to the mysterious world of Claude Debussy and Eugene Bozza, and on to contemporary composers like Rachel Hayter. All performed with polish and panache, coming together at the end in an ensemble performance of Gabriel Faure’s Cantique de Jean Racine. And lest we forget: Sally Goodworth was at the piano throughout, mastering all the accompaniments with grace and verve.
Chris Hankin said one thing after the concert that really struck home. The godfather of modern flute playing was Frenchman Paul Taffanel 1844-1908. Taffanel taught Phillippe Gaubert, who in turn taught Marcel Moyse, who taught William Bennett, who taught Chris Hankin. And Chris Hankin is still communicating a marvellous culture of flute-playing to Ealing’s young musicians. May it continue.
Julian Gallant is Ealing Conservatives leader and councillor for Ealing Broadway
