An Acton history group that began as an evening class has celebrated its 40th anniversary.
Members of the Acton History Group marked the milestone at their annual meeting last week (10 June 2026).
Founded in 1986 by retired teachers Tom and Averil Harper Smith, the group has spent 40 years researching the town’s past, publishing dozens of books and booklets, indexing editions of the Acton Gazette and helping raise funds to save Acton’s old parish pump, which now stands outside St Mary’s Church.
Among those attending the 40th anniversary meeting was Ealing Central and Acton MP Dr Rupa Huq.
Dr Huq said: “Congratulations Acton History Society for clocking up an astonishing 40 years. Great meeting tonight with three talks, cupcakes and fizz.”
Acton History Group meets on the second Wednesday of most months and welcomes new members interested in Acton’s history.


