Legendary Islands of the Thames 15 Legendary Islands of the Thames

Legendary Islands of The ThamesLegendary Islands of The Thames Legendary Islands of The Thames

By local resident John TaylorBy local resident John Taylor By local resident John Taylor

Taggs Island, in size 3.681 acres, is situated on the Taggs Island, in size 3.681 acres, is situated on the Taggs Island, in size 3.681 acres, is situated on the river above Molesey Lock, close to the Surrey river above Molesey Lock, close to the Surrey river above Molesey Lock, close to the Surrey bank, but connected to the Middlesex side by a bank, but connected to the Middlesex side by a bank, but connected to the Middlesex side by a long single track road bridge. Previous names inlong single track road bridge. Previous names inlong single track road bridge. Previous names include Walnut Tree Ait, and Kent’s Ait. Its official clude Walnut Tree Ait, and Kent’s Ait. Its official clude Walnut Tree Ait, and Kent’s Ait. Its official name comes from boat builder Thomas Tagg, who name comes from boat builder Thomas Tagg, who name comes from boat builder Thomas Tagg, who in 1872 built the Thames Hotel on the island, in 1872 built the Thames Hotel on the island, in 1872 built the Thames Hotel on the island, which was frequented by London’s high society, which was frequented by London’s high society, which was frequented by London’s high society, including Edward Prince of Wales. In 1912 the including Edward Prince of Wales. In 1912 the including Edward Prince of Wales. In 1912 the

Taggs Island, in size 3.681 acres, is situated on the Eel Pie, is the largest island in the London stretch Eel Pie, is the largest island in the London stretch Eel Pie, is the largest island in the London stretch river above Molesey Lock, close to the Surrey of the river. Situated in Twickenham, it is 8.935 of the river. Situated in Twickenham, it is 8.935 of the river. Situated in Twickenham, it is 8.935 bank, but connected to the Middlesex side by a long single track road bridge. Previous names include Walnut Tree Ait, and Kent acres in size, accessible by boat or by a footbridge via Wharf and Bell Lane, Twickenham. Surprisingly the first bridge was not completed until 1957. Earlier names were Parish Ait and Twickenham acres in size, accessible by boat or by a footbridge via Wharf and Bell Lane, Twickenham. Surprisingly the first bridge was not completed until 1957. Earlier names were Parish Ait and Twickenham acres in size, accessible by boat or by a footbridge via Wharf and Bell Lane, Twickenham. Surprisingly the first bridge was not completed until 1957. Earlier names were Parish Ait and Twickenham name comes from boat builder Thomas Tagg, who Ait, and the present name comes from eel pies Ait, and the present name comes from eel pies Ait, and the present name comes from eel pies in 1872 built the Thames Hotel on the island, which were served there in the 19th century. It was which were served there in the 19th century. It was which were served there in the 19th century. It was which was frequented by London a popular stopping place for steamer excursions. a popular stopping place for steamer excursions. a popular stopping place for steamer excursions. including Edward Prince of Wales. In 1912 the In 1830 the new Eel Pie Island Hotel was built. It In 1830 the new Eel Pie Island Hotel was built. It In 1830 the new Eel Pie Island Hotel was built. It

impresario Fred Karno, purchased the island, and impresario Fred Karno, purchased the island, and impresario Fred Karno, purchased the island, and hosted ballroom dancing during the nineteen twenhosted ballroom dancing during the nineteen twenhosted ballroom dancing during the nineteen twenrebuilt the hotel, calling it The Karsino. Karno was rebuilt the hotel, calling it The Karsino. Karno was rebuilt the hotel, calling it The Karsino. Karno was ties and thirties. In 1956 trumpeter Brian Rutland, ties and thirties. In 1956 trumpeter Brian Rutland, ties and thirties. In 1956 trumpeter Brian Rutland, credited with discovering Charlie Chaplin. He credited with discovering Charlie Chaplin. He credited with discovering Charlie Chaplin. He started jazz sessions at the hotel, and later Arthur started jazz sessions at the hotel, and later Arthur started jazz sessions at the hotel, and later Arthur employed theatre architect Frank Matcham to build employed theatre architect Frank Matcham to build employed theatre architect Frank Matcham to build Chisnall founded The Eelpiland Club, promoting Chisnall founded The Eelpiland Club, promoting Chisnall founded The Eelpiland Club, promoting the new hotel, which included a music hall, dining the new hotel, which included a music hall, dining the new hotel, which included a music hall, dining impresario Fred Karno, purchased the island, and various jazz bands, and in the 1960's rock and various jazz bands, and in the 1960's rock and various jazz bands, and in the 1960's rock and room, and ballroom. Later a Palm Court Concert Pavilion was added with capacity for an audience of six hundred. Outside were landscaped gardens, and luxurious houseboats surrounded the island. room, and ballroom. Later a Palm Court Concert Pavilion was added with capacity for an audience of six hundred. Outside were landscaped gardens, and luxurious houseboats surrounded the island. room, and ballroom. Later a Palm Court Concert Pavilion was added with capacity for an audience of six hundred. Outside were landscaped gardens, and luxurious houseboats surrounded the island. rebuilt the hotel, calling it The Karsino. Karno was credited with discovering Charlie Chaplin. He employed theatre architect Frank Matcham to build R&B groups. Some of the famous names who performed there, between 1957 and 1967 were Acker Bilk, Ken Colyer, Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, George Melly, The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, The R&B groups. Some of the famous names who performed there, between 1957 and 1967 were Acker Bilk, Ken Colyer, Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, George Melly, The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, The R&B groups. Some of the famous names who performed there, between 1957 and 1967 were Acker Bilk, Ken Colyer, Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, George Melly, The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, The The economic downturn caused by the First World The economic downturn caused by the First World The economic downturn caused by the First World the new hotel, which included a music hall, dining Who, and The Yardbirds. Who, and The Yardbirds. Who, and The Yardbirds. War meant that the island’s fortunes waned. The War meant that the island’s fortunes waned. The War meant that the island’s fortunes waned. The room, and ballroom. Later a Palm Court Concert In 1967 the hotel closed because the owner could In 1967 the hotel closed because the owner could In 1967 the hotel closed because the owner could hotel was renamed the Casino, but its popularity hotel was renamed the Casino, but its popularity hotel was renamed the Casino, but its popularity Pavilion was added with capacity for an audience not meet the cost of necessary repairs. For about not meet the cost of necessary repairs. For about not meet the cost of necessary repairs. For about did not return, and Karno sold it in 1926. Two years later it reopened as the Thames Riviera. In 1941 AC Cars opened a manufacturing unit on the island, making equipment for the armed forces, and after the war building three-wheeler invalid cars. The hotel continued in business for several years with many changes of ownership, but attempts to revive its fortunes failed, and the hotel was finally demolished in 1971, and never rebuilt. Eventually acquired by the moored boat residents, the island was transformed into a houseboat community. The did not return, and Karno sold it in 1926. Two years later it reopened as the Thames Riviera. In 1941 AC Cars opened a manufacturing unit on the island, making equipment for the armed forces, and after the war building three-wheeler invalid cars. The hotel continued in business for several years with many changes of ownership, but attempts to revive its fortunes failed, and the hotel was finally demolished in 1971, and never rebuilt. Eventually acquired by the moored boat residents, the island was transformed into a houseboat community. The did not return, and Karno sold it in 1926. Two years later it reopened as the Thames Riviera. In 1941 AC Cars opened a manufacturing unit on the island, making equipment for the armed forces, and after the war building three-wheeler invalid cars. The hotel continued in business for several years with many changes of ownership, but attempts to revive its fortunes failed, and the hotel was finally demolished in 1971, and never rebuilt. Eventually acquired by the moored boat residents, the island was transformed into a houseboat community. The of six hundred. Outside were landscaped gardens, and luxurious houseboats surrounded the island. The economic downturn caused by the First World War meant that the island hotel was renamed the Casino, but its popularity did not return, and Karno sold it in 1926. Two years later it reopened as the Thames Riviera. In 1941 AC Cars opened a manufacturing unit on the island, making equipment for the armed forces, and three years in the early seventies, there was a large hippy commune living on the island. Unfortunately in 1971 the hotel burned down in a mysterious blaze and 25 years later the centre of the island was also devastated by fire. Notable residents have included actor William Hartnell, and inventor Trevor Baylis. There are now about 50 homes, 120 inhabitants, small businesses, boatyards, a nature reserve, and the home to Twickenham Rowing Club. Usually in June and December some of the three years in the early seventies, there was a large hippy commune living on the island. Unfortunately in 1971 the hotel burned down in a mysterious blaze and 25 years later the centre of the island was also devastated by fire. Notable residents have included actor William Hartnell, and inventor Trevor Baylis. There are now about 50 homes, 120 inhabitants, small businesses, boatyards, a nature reserve, and the home to Twickenham Rowing Club. Usually in June and December some of the three years in the early seventies, there was a large hippy commune living on the island. Unfortunately in 1971 the hotel burned down in a mysterious blaze and 25 years later the centre of the island was also devastated by fire. Notable residents have included actor William Hartnell, and inventor Trevor Baylis. There are now about 50 homes, 120 inhabitants, small businesses, boatyards, a nature reserve, and the home to Twickenham Rowing Club. Usually in June and December some of the present population is about 100, living on 62 floatpresent population is about 100, living on 62 floatpresent population is about 100, living on 62 floatafter the war building three islands many diverse art studios are open to the islands many diverse art studios are open to the islands many diverse art studios are open to the ing homes. ing homes. ing homes. The hotel continued in business for several years public. public. public.

Please mention Molesey Matters when responding to adverts Please mention Molesey Matters when responding to adverts Please mention Molesey Matters when responding to adverts 1515 15 with many changes of ownership, but attempts to revive its fortunes failed, and the hotel was finally demolished in 1971, and never rebuilt. Eventually www.villagematters.co.uk www.villagematters.co.uk www.villagematters.co.uk