Forum Topic

Johnson's Island, Brentford, TW8  .. Its down by the Canal.

Is this the site of an Art Gallery? has anyone been there?

Jim Lawes ● 7241d19 Comments

For the benefit of new viewers to this website...following the current CONSULTATIONS and EXHIBITION about plans for new Brentoford...a week of old photos on different TOPICS and THREADS is about to start!If you right click your mouse on the pictures..you can save any of them to MY PICTURES for starters. I'll be endeavouring to locate the masses of other pictures we have posted on this website. After 10 pages of TOPICS (20 topics per page)... that's 200 TOPICS in total..the gems disappear into a hidaway behind the website scenes!In the old days..say 18 months ago..all pages of TOPICS and all messages and pictures going back to DAY one of the Forum were accessible from the 1-(say)110 numbers on the bottom of the Forum front page. These days only the last 200 TOPICS are easy to recover. (see pages 1-10 at the bottom of the front page)Also, 18 months ago,if you typed a persons name..or a subject matter into the FORUM SEARCH box..the previous 100 messages would be listed. These days those lists are limited to say 25!  I believe a search of my name will list only 35 messages...whereas over 1000 must be nearer the figure!Lots of messages are hidden somewhere..and I'll endeavour to dig them out during the next week.One Forum poster dominates the Forum he has some 31 TOPICS in his name out the last 200 posted...so the remaining space for the rest of us.....is restricted..and Picture Postings..and old Brentford Topics.. quickly disappear. (rant over!)

Jim Lawes ● 7087d

I think the building opposite the Brewery Tap was in use up to 2 years ago although I could be wrong. Probably the old trade there was replaced by a new one.I noticed a few days ago there was an old van kept in good condition parked there which I think had "Globe Makers" emblazoned on its side.  I've seen the van quite on other occasions round there.

Michael Fletcher ● 7231d

Jim,A fascinating selection of photos of dear old Brentford.  Thanks a million;  they are now safely tucked away in My Pictures!

Ann S. Allridge ● 7232d

Jim, I was speaking last week to the chap who does the converting of the old skiffs etc on the south side of Johnson's Island. You'll be pleased to know that he's been offered an extended lease as his operations are seen as an asset. The craft are made into bookshelves and pub ornaments. An ignominious end perhaps, but at least it preserves them in some form!

Nigel Moore ● 7232d

Angela..Thanks for that information. Hopefully there will be another Open Day..and we can sign the petition.

Jim Lawes ● 7232d

MichaelThanks for your reponse and information. I recall when St Lawrences Church was opened and used as a cafe or something..many years ago now. It was quite antique inside.The purpose of these postings is to keep the matters aliveand to make the photos freely available..rather than have them  hidden away in somebody's "copyright protected" booklet!! Wandering around these areas of Brentford..one meets all kinds of locals and visitors rambling around and happy to talk of their memories and knowledge. I always refer them to this Forum..so hopefully they will visit this website soon.Trouble is the picture disappear off the end of the 10th Forum page!!

Jim Lawes ● 7232d

Hope you can manage to see the two water channels..the east side on the left and the west side ..the Brewery Tap side.. on the right.The view below shows the west side channel again with that Art Studio building thats opposite the brewery tap. Autumn colours have arrived. I wonder what trade took place in that old building?Another similar view..And this is the dodgy footbridge from "Jupps Wharf" embankment (Dock Road side) to the north east side of Johnson's Island. It is said that either Mr Wilson or Mr Kyle owned the Island and used the footbridge to get to his boat!

Jim Lawes ● 7232d

So the north tip of Johnson's Island is a bit overgrown and generally hidden from view. As you leave the Brewery Tap pub and go over that little bridge you normally will have to bend your head down to look at the canal boats on your left.The building just there on the left is another Artists Centre..not related to the Johnson's Island Group. I spoke to a tenant there ..one of the two resident artists..and he told me it was fine to squeeze along the side of the building and take some pictures.So, here is the bushy north end of Johnson Island..opposite which are some half dozen moored canal boats.And on the north side of that water basin are the canal boats butted up against an area that the 1894 map said was Town Wharf.

Jim Lawes ● 7232d

Thank you all for your replies...and very informative too.Fancy there being a little island at that location! There will be lots of experts around who know this area well..I'm just a local clicking away and learning at the same time!So the pathway from the Brewery Tap... over the first water channel...basically dissects the island...and the pathway then  crosses the other water channel at the weir. The Studio that you've mentioned ..with the sculls and oars..is on the south side of the island whilst the area north of the pathway is under lock and key! The north section of Johnson's Island is very overgrown  and in addition to the dry-dock that Nigel described... there appears to be another building shack too..on the north east side. ol;d gas canisters seem to litter the grassy bits.The following map shows the lay out..the island lying between Catherine Wheel Road  and Dock Road. In the 1894 Ordance survey map the wharf opposite the north side of the island is called TOWN WHARF and the big overhanging warehouse structure opposite the east side of the Island is/was called JUPP'S WHARF.

Jim Lawes ● 7232d

There is a current petition to save Johnson's Island from developers. When the artists had their Open Studio weekend they were asking people to show support by signing. Perhaps the studios at the Steam Museum may be able to help if anyone else is interested in signing? It would be a shame if it were lost, it is really beautiful. Thank you for the photos Jim.

Angela Peel ● 7240d

Hi JimI've been there.  It is a thriving community of artists.  It is run by the craft workshop people I think based in Chiswick perhaps in the old power house behind Chiswick High Street  who have a very high reputation.  They also have workshops near Kew Bridge railway station.Thank you for your pctures of this area in particular of the last one of the river dock.  It's all a hidden gem.  I hope this area associated with the waterways will be saved from the developers tractors.  A few years ago Hounslow compromised and said the pub would be saved - it is patronised by people from all over West London on jazz nights.  There had been a petition of a 1000 or so people to save it some 10 years ago which the council had lost and forgotten about until the landlord drew it to their attention.I'm amazed why nobody has thought of making this area a park which combined with the boat-building, craftwork-shops give the people of Brentford a real jewel.  Have you seen St Lawrence's church nearby?  It was due for demolition some 30 years ago but a local actor raised the money to preserve it as an arts centre through many charity concerts of musicians in London.  When it was renovated and saved the Watermans Art Cenrre was opened which duplicated its functions.  This was successful until about 4 years ago when its functions were reduced drastically.

Michael Fletcher ● 7241d

This is a covered dry-dock Jim, built sometime between 1912 & 1935. While it has been in constant use for sheltered working on large barges, the ability to seal it off from the tides has been lost for as long as I can remember, so it works simply as a tidal grid.One of the very few points of value in the South of the High St proposal is that this is to be refurbished, so that it could once again operate as a dry dock. Of course, British Waterways insist that no noisy work will be carried out in it, so any real value will be lost anyway, - still, it will provide shelter for painting!

Nigel Moore ● 7241d

It's a bit of a gloomy view..it was dark...but the normally locked gate to this northern part of the Island was wide open and this immediate view was not to be ignored! A view normally hidden away.

Jim Lawes ● 7241d

This is a regular view from the footbridge pathway which crosses above the weir. On the left is Johnsons Island..with "The Cob" boat tied up alongside..and on the left too is that odd looking covered garage/workshop place..(see next picture!)

Jim Lawes ● 7241d

This pedestrian walkway is now "out of bounds" and leads from Town Wharf,(where that monster overhanging structure is...next picture)to the back end of Johnsons Island. It's all overgrown bramble on that exit ..so only wildlife will be using it!

Jim Lawes ● 7241d

Hidden delights as you stroll around old Brentford.

Jim Lawes ● 7241d

Jim Lawes ● 7241d

Which has Jazz bands several times a week. Thursdays is good for trad!

Jim Lawes ● 7241d

Jim Lawes ● 7241d