Nine years. The number sits heavy on the chest when you walk the streets of our borough today. Living around this part of West London, you feel the absolute shift in the air every time mid-June rolls around. The shadow of Grenfell remains a stark reminder of what we lost and the fierce fight for justice that still beats through the heart of the community.
Today is the 14th of June 2026, and we are gathering to remember.
They are holding a commemorative event at Hope Gardens and the Wall of Truth at 2 Maxilla Walk, W10. The official flyer for the tribute, which I have attached as 1000091317.jpg, calls it a space for healing and a way to keep the legacy alive.
Things kick off from 2 PM onwards. It is not just about quiet reflection. It is about raising voices and sharing the weight. We have a solid lineup of talent stepping up to the microphone this afternoon. Singers like Riena-Azari and Saisha Maynard will perform alongside poets Naykeye, Amberleigh Miles, Checky Checky, and Lipstick High Glow. Music comes courtesy of DJ Dudge and DJ Smood, laying down the tracks to bring people together under the open sky.
This is a tribute to the good friends we lost along the way. It is raw, it is honest, and the people who still walk these pavements every day built it from the ground up. We remember them. We keep the legacy alive. Never forget.
If you are local, come down to the Wall of Truth this afternoon. Stand with your neighbours.
The Grenfell 9th Anniversary Silent Walk will begin gathering at 6:00 pm today, Sunday 14 June 2026.
Key Details for Today's Walk
Start Location: Outside Notting Hill Methodist Church (240 Lancaster Road, London, W11 4AH).
Start Time: The community will gather from 6:00 pm, with the walk officially moving off shortly after.
What to Wear: Attendees are requested to wear green as a visible sign of respect and solidarity.
Following the Walk: The silent march will be followed by a reading of the names of the 72 victims and speeches from campaigners demanding criminal justice.
This evening's walk is particularly poignant, as it marks the final anniversary gathering before the complete take-down and demolition of the remaining tower structure begins.
I remember the smell of smoke drifting across London. Nine years ago today, the sky over North Kensington turned the wrong colour. It is 14 June 2026, and the air around Latimer Road still feels heavy. You do not forget a thing like that.
A whole community burned while the city slept.
Seventy-two people went to bed in Grenfell Tower and never walked out. They were ordinary people. They were cleaners, cab drivers, artists, and children with school the next morning. They were working-class people making a life in a tough city.
The system failed them. The cheap cladding caught fire, destroying a concrete block filled with families. I watched the news and felt a cold knot in my gut. It showed us what we already knew. The people making the decisions do not care about the people living in the tower blocks.
But look at the streets around the tower today. Green hearts cover the brickwork. When the local council froze, the community stepped up. People dragged spare mattresses into church halls. Women cooked pots of food to feed strangers. That is resilience. We protect our own when the authorities vanish.
We stand together for the seventy-two victims. Nine years have passed, and the fight for justice continues. We owe it to the families to keep shouting. The people responsible must face the consequences.
The Final Anniversary Before Demolition
Deconstruction is underway: This is the final anniversary before the tower is fully dismantled. The process of dismantling the tower began in September 2025 and is expected to take around two years.
A pause in work:
As a mark of respect, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed that all deconstruction work at the tower is paused from Friday, 12 June until Tuesday, 16 June.
Changing traditions:
Because the site is an active deconstruction zone, this is the first year that bereaved families and survivors cannot visit the base of the tower to lay flowers or pay their respects.
Today's Memorial Events
Church service:A dedicated service is taking place this afternoon.
The Silent Walk: The annual silent walk will occur in West London this evening.
Reading of the names: Following the walk, the names of the 72 victims will be read aloud, accompanied by speeches from campaigners, including representatives from Grenfell United.
The Fight for Justice and Accountability
Criminal charges looming: Last month, the Metropolitan Police announced that up to 20 companies and 57 individuals could face criminal charges (including corporate manslaughter, fraud, and misconduct in public office). Files will be handed over to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in September 2026.
Timeline for decisions:The CPS is expected to make final charging decisions before the 10th anniversary in 2027.
Political action:
An adjournment debate regarding the anniversary took place in the House of Commons this past Thursday, 11 June, led by MP Joe Powell.
The Permanent Memorial
Future plans:
The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission is currently consulting with bereaved families, survivors, and the local community on a permanent memorial. The design team Freehaus was selected last year to create a "sacred" and "peaceful" space, with the final design expected to be announced in mid-2027.