Legendary Islands of the Thames

By local resident John Taylor By local resident John Taylor

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

Taggs Island, in size 3.681 acres, is situated on the river above Molesey Lock, close to the Surrey bank, but connected to the Middlesex side by a long single track road bridge. Previous names inEel Pie, is the largest island in the London stretch of the river. Situated in Twickenham, it is 8.935 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 Ait, and the present name comes from eel pies which were served there in the 19th century. It was a popular stopping place for steamer excursions. Eel Pie, is the largest island in the London stretch of the river. Situated in Twickenham, it is 8.935 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 Ait, and the present name comes from eel pies which were served there in the 19th century. It was a popular stopping place for steamer excursions. clude Walnut Tree Ait, and Kent name comes from boat builder Thomas Tagg, who in 1872 built the Thames Hotel on the island, which was frequented by London

including Edward Prince of Wales. In 1912 the impresario Fred Karno, purchased the island, and rebuilt the hotel, calling it The Karsino. Karno was credited with discovering Charlie Chaplin. He employed theatre architect Frank Matcham to build the new hotel, which included a music hall, dining 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. The economic downturn caused by the First World War meant that the island’s fortunes waned. The 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 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 present population is about 100, living on 62 floating homes. including Edward Prince of Wales. In 1912 the impresario Fred Karno, purchased the island, and rebuilt the hotel, calling it The Karsino. Karno was credited with discovering Charlie Chaplin. He employed theatre architect Frank Matcham to build the new hotel, which included a music hall, dining 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. The economic downturn caused by the First World War meant that the island’s fortunes waned. The 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 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 present population is about 100, living on 62 floating homes.

In 1830 the new Eel Pie Island Hotel was built. It hosted ballroom dancing during the nineteen twenties and thirties. In 1956 trumpeter Brian Rutland, started jazz sessions at the hotel, and later Arthur Chisnall founded The Eelpiland Club, promoting various jazz bands, and in the 1960's rock and 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 Who, and The Yardbirds. In 1967 the hotel closed because the owner could In 1830 the new Eel Pie Island Hotel was built. It hosted ballroom dancing during the nineteen twenties and thirties. In 1956 trumpeter Brian Rutland, started jazz sessions at the hotel, and later Arthur Chisnall founded The Eelpiland Club, promoting various jazz bands, and in the 1960's rock and 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 Who, and The Yardbirds. In 1967 the hotel closed because the owner could not meet the cost of necessary repairs. For about not meet the cost of necessary repairs. For about three years in the early seventies, there was a large three years in the early seventies, there was a large hippy commune living on the island. Unfortunately hippy commune living on the island. Unfortunately in 1971 the hotel burned down in a mysterious in 1971 the hotel burned down in a mysterious blaze and 25 years later the centre of the island was blaze and 25 years later the centre of the island was also devastated by fire. Notable residents have also devastated by fire. Notable residents have included actor William Hartnell, and inventor Treincluded actor William Hartnell, and inventor Trevor Baylis. There are now about 50 homes, 120 vor Baylis. There are now about 50 homes, 120 including Edward Prince of Wales. In 1912 the inhabitants, small businesses, boatyards, a nature reserve, and the home to Twickenham Rowing inhabitants, small businesses, boatyards, a nature reserve, and the home to Twickenham Rowing impresario Fred Karno, purchased the island, and rebuilt the hotel, calling it The Karsino. Karno was Club. Usually in June and December some of the islands many diverse art studios are open to the public. Club. Usually in June and December some of the islands many diverse art studios are open to the public. credited with discovering Charlie Chaplin. He employed theatre architect Frank Matcham to build Please mention Walton Matters when responding to adverts Please mention Walton Matters when responding to adverts the new hotel, which included a music hall, dining

Celebrate Elmbridge independent retailers and shop, eat and drink local this summer Celebrate Elmbridge independent retailers and shop, eat and drink local this summer

our centres. our centres. Elmbridge Borough Council is encouraging residents to shop, eat and drink local this summer with a range of new initiatives to support and celebrate our independent retailers across the borough. With over £55m of grants and reliefs to support businesses and help for independents to implement social distancing measures in shops, restaurants and cafes our high streets have safely reopened for residents and visitors. To help our independent businesses this sumElmbridge Borough Council is encouraging residents to shop, eat and drink local this summer with a range of new initiatives to support and celebrate our independent retailers across the borough. With over £55m of grants and reliefs to support businesses and help for independents to implement social distancing measures in shops, restaurants and cafes our high streets have safely reopened for residents and visitors. To help our independent businesses this sumAlso, from 1 September residents will be able to vote in our Independent Retail awards as we celebrate and promote the shop local message that has never been more important. Cllr Mary Marshall, Portfolio Holder for Environment said “The temporary pavement licences are a fantastic example of our work in supporting our high streets and independent retailers. Where businesses have the space to use the pavement, these new temporary licences provide a simple application process with a quick decision. Businesses will therefore be able to make the most of the great summer weather and have the best opportunity to boost their trade.” Cllr Christine Elmer, Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Community Development said “The Council is doing all it can to support businesses through this difficult period. Our high streets are the heart of our community and our high street business boost support package will help traders survive and be well placed to thrive in the future.” Also, from 1 September residents will be able to vote in our Independent Retail awards as we celebrate and promote the shop local message that has never been more important. Cllr Mary Marshall, Portfolio Holder for Environment said “The temporary pavement licences are a fantastic example of our work in supporting our high streets and independent retailers. Where businesses have the space to use the pavement, these new temporary licences provide a simple application process with a quick decision. Businesses will therefore be able to make the most of the great summer weather and have the best opportunity to boost their trade.” Cllr Christine Elmer, Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Community Development said “The Council is doing all it can to support businesses through this difficult period. Our high streets are the heart of our community and our high street business boost support package will help traders survive and be well placed to thrive in the future.” mer we are launching a new temporary pavemer we are launching a new temporary paveBusinesses can find out more and apply for Businesses can find out more and apply for ment licence that will support businesses looking to set up tables and chairs on the pavement so that they can create more space and offer residents a chance to enjoy the café ment licence that will support businesses looking to set up tables and chairs on the pavement so that they can create more space and offer residents a chance to enjoy the café the temporary pavement licences elmbridge.gov.uk/licensing/pavementlicences. the temporary pavement licences elmbridge.gov.uk/licensing/pavementlicences. culture of abroad, at home. culture of abroad, at home. The new pavement licences are part of our The new pavement licences are part of our high street business boost package designed high street business boost package designed to help our independent retailers and high to help our independent retailers and high streets. streets. The high street business boost package inThe high street business boost package includes: cludes: • • access to up to £2,000 to help busiaccess to up to £2,000 to help businesses trade online nesses trade online

• • a grant to receive up to 90% funding a grant to receive up to 90% funding for shop front improvements for shop front improvements

• • and business groups can get support to and business groups can get support to safely run new town centre markets or comsafely run new town centre markets or community events that can bring new footfall to munity events that can bring new footfall to