Forum Topic

Lots Ait Island, Brentford, TW8.  "A pictorial mystery tour!!"

The fascination of Brentford ..for some of us..is the pattern of streets and alleyways south of the High Street..and how they all link up.Whether it's linking buildings in THE HAM, with the walkway along the Canal, the Brentford Dock Estate..and how to get to Dock Road, how to get from Johnson's Island to Ridgeways/Workhouse Boatyard, from Ferry Lane to Goat Wharf without getting ones feet wet...and so on.Trying to understand the lay-out of the various Islands is another puzzle. I gather that there used to be a pub called the THREE SWANS on Brentford Ait!..that's the long island nearest Kew Bridge that seems to be in two or three sections. (See Gillian Clegg's Pub Book)But LOTS AIT is todays puzzle. You can see it from different angles..sometimes at low tide ..then at high tide. From Watermans, from Goat Wharf, from Ferry Quays. You can see boats and dilapidated buildings..lots of mud..and lots of trees....what's it all about?First of all..if you're interested only!..don't want to bore you..have  a look from Google Earth. Copy and Paste this url..and then use the grid to move around..and zoom in..okhttp://www.google.com/maphp?hl=en&client=firefox-a&q=&ie=UTF8&ll=51.484623,-0.29886&spn=0.00312,0.007317&t=k&om=1

Jim Lawes ● 6862d53 Comments

n/m

Ian Roberts ● 6855d

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=51.487058~-0.292967&style=h&lvl=18&scene=4269247

Jim Lawes ● 6857d

http://local.live.com/Nigel and allHave a look at this discovery!  A variation on Google Earth but with much great detail. It might be better in IE  rather than MF.Anyway..find your way to Brentford Ait and the detail is quite amazing. My son,currently working in Seattle, used the  URL to show me where he was working  and staying.http://local.live.com/

Jim Lawes ● 6857d

Thanks and good news Nigel..if you're up for a walk along the "shingle" at low tide on the far side of Brentford Ait.Any others interested? Here is the 1894 Map (Alan Godfrey Maps sheet 84 ISBN 0-85054-426-2). I recall that the Three Swans pub was located near that "13" figure on the island.From the Surrey Bank there appears to be another slipway there...under the undergrowth.  oh dear! But what would one find..another hide out?

Jim Lawes ● 6857d

Jim:Thought we'd give it a rest on clean ups till perhaps March, but will see what time slots are available.Yes, certainly interested in the old pub remains, - should try to get an OS map of the relevant period first.

Nigel Moore ● 6857d

Nigel:When might the next clear up operation be?Also:Are you interested in an expedition to the ruins of the Three Swans Pub on Brentford Ait? I have one interested adult already. Any advice? Anyone else interested in a walk along the far side of Brentford Ait at low tide? It looks very safe.

Jim Lawes ● 6857d

On the ball, as ever, Jim!

Ann S. Allridge ● 6857d

They won't catch me!!

Jim Lawes ● 6857d

Nigel and Jim,Still can't see the pictures, but I have a vivid imagination and am quite stirred at my mind's eye vision of Jim in his trunks scuba diving off Kew Bridge, with Alexander watching Jim's  back against the sharks!!!!

Ann S. Allridge ● 6857d

Nigel...the images open up for me using Firefox but Firefox never allows such sound!.Then on IE (Internet Explorer) I couldn't open the images. Professor Richard is the top man on these problems.In the meantime Father Thames passes by!

Jim Lawes ● 6857d

Mystery to me Audrey, they open up with animation and sound when I open the message !!??? Anyone else fail to see/hear them? Perhaps it's because of different servers or something?

Nigel Moore ● 6857d

Sorry Nigel, couldn't open these either. I went to properties and tried that way but no luck. If Richard sees this problem he may help!!

Audrey Walton ● 6858d

Sorry Ann, can't think why you couldn't get them when you got the others? Maybe because previous were my own and the animations from elsewhere?Now I know we've strayed from topic, but one last effort for you only: Alexander finds junk?Jim through the porthole

Nigel Moore ● 6858d

The pirates of Lots Ait!                                                         

Jim Lawes ● 6858d

Boo hoo - all that appeared on my screen were the little red boxes

Ann S. Allridge ● 6858d

You are showing off now, Nigel ... and well done too!  ;-)

Sarah Felstead ● 6858d

Never! So a taster for Ann of her new basement view -Alexander finds junk?Jim through the porthole

Nigel Moore ● 6858d

Curmudgeons in Brentford????

Audrey Walton ● 6858d

Nigel,I must have it!!!!Imagine watching Jim and Alexander at high tide, wearing their air tanks, still cleaning up Old Father Thames.....We'd best stop this or some old curmudgeon is bound to complain!

Ann S. Allridge ● 6858d

OK, what about a concrete raft version, with underwater porthole in the side?

Nigel Moore ● 6858d

Nigel,Not at all;  just decided against the houseboat with the glass bottom!

Ann S. Allridge ● 6858d

For those interested in the future of the island, below is an early report from the Isleworth & Brentford Planning Committee:It's good to know that our councillors have been and remain supportive of the area's boating needs and heritage.

Nigel Moore ● 6858d

But of course! Thought you were crying off the idea!

Nigel Moore ● 6858d

....Not going to act as my agent then....?

Ann S. Allridge ● 6859d

Damn it Ann, I rely on clients buying the toys I'd like to play with but can't afford for myself!

Nigel Moore ● 6859d

I've heard tell that there's a tunnel from the "mainland" to one of the islands that was traversable in living memory. There's certainly one leading from the Steam Museum to the bank between Ciconia and Seacrest at the Hollows.Exit/entry (barred) where blue arrow points.

Nigel Moore ● 6859d

Jim,Views in these recent photos are a vast improvement on the '9th ward'.Thanks as always.Nigel,Cancel the order for the tribolis!

Ann S. Allridge ● 6859d

Lots Ait is out of view on the left side..and in the distance there are boats docked near the Watermans Art Centre.So in the middle is the end of the long Brentford Ait...along which boats don't seem to be moored on either side.ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThe long Brentford Ait sweeps far into the distance towards Kew Bridge. Once it had a pub on it! according to Gillian Clegg's Pub BookooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooWhat an elegantly designed bridge?ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Jim Lawes ● 6859d

Super photos Nigel..you've certainly got the hang of it now..and good to see Ann's office pictures overlooking the Canal. We ought to pop along there to see what's changed!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThe Brentford Ait and Lots Ait hide views of the Thames..and so the walk at low tide along the back embankment of Lots Ait becomes exciting again...IMHO!First of all the view across the River towards Kew Gardens..a view that some residents of Goats Wharf and Ferry Quays would normally see from their front lounge windows.oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooLooking westwards towards Isleworth and in particular Syon ParkooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThe sculpture at Ferry Quays comes into view:ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAnd a big surprise and a treat...Kew Palace where HM The Queen recently celebrated her 80th birthday with members of her family...so close to Brentford!!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooto be continued!

Jim Lawes ● 6859d

Well of course Ann, bearing in mind that the Trilobis won't suit the Thames anywhere near here. Of course you could always try asking BW whether you could put it on their canal pontoon moorings on the "Island". Somehow I think the underwater view would leave something to be desired.

Nigel Moore ● 6859d

Audrey,That was fast work!  The photos were coloured but over the years the colour has deteriorated....date around about 1970?    Thanks for your help.

Ann S. Allridge ● 6859d

Here are Ann's pictures (very old!) of the view from her office window when she worked at Soag. Maybe this isn't the right thread but anyway.....

Audrey Walton ● 6859d

Nigel,Me again!  Of course, when I referred to the 'last one', it was the Trilobis I meant and not the blue wreck wearing the Flag of St. George!

Ann S. Allridge ● 6859d

Nigel,It's a toss up between No. 1 and the last one........I will need a sheltered part of the Thames close to Kew and Brentford.  Will you act as my agent?

Ann S. Allridge ● 6859d

Views from June’s clear-up, which concentrated on the west side of Lot’s Ait:Detail of the counter weighted dock gates:Inside the eastern open dock – major fit-out being undertaken by one of the day’s volunteers:

Nigel Moore ● 6859d

Thanks for that map Nigel and for the pictures..and press cutting!  This is quite an indepth study!The Brentford embankment..Goats Wharf to the Watermans Art Centre is at the bootom of the planning map.ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooFortunately we found an easier way to get off the Island..which, dimly, I hadn't noticed before!ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThe step stones across the river and a large rotting hulk came into view.ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAs Ann asked ..I wonder why its called "Lots" Ait? What's the difference between an Ait and an Eyot (at W4)I wonder how that area will be in 50 years time. Still old,unused and rotting?

Jim Lawes ● 6859d

And if you really want exotic (these really ARE for permanently floating sites, preferably over coral reefs):And with a spare 2.5 million USD’s:Now in the right location I rather fancy the Trilobis.

Nigel Moore ● 6859d

A couple more types as you were so keen on them:But frankly, these are more suited to lakes rather than tidal water. And the boatyard should be refurbished as such.The owner’s idea of developing the moorings alongside Waterman’s Park on the other hand, is to be encouraged. With someone taking charge over legitimised moorings the decayed wrecks could be cleared and the site made pleasanter for the existing viable boats. They could then be free from official harassment and help to maintain the area.

Nigel Moore ● 6859d

Anthony OBrien ● 6860d

I'm with you Ann, those houseboats look great compared to the "New Orleans" scenes that Jim photographed for us.  Even if a couple of them looked rather top heavy, would'nt want to be in one in a strong gale.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6860d

Nigel, They are fabulous!"Out of keeping"???  What?  With all that crap and mud and dereliction Jim has shown us in his photo tour?  If I win the lottery, I'll buy the timber houseboat.

Ann S. Allridge ● 6860d

Examples of the type of European houseboat we think are envisaged for the site:It seems to be intended that these would line the riverbank as well, - what do you think, new & exciting or out of keeping?

Nigel Moore ● 6860d

With apologies for the poor quality, this was scanned in a rush and I don’t have the original any more, but thought you might like to see the general idea of what the owners had in mind for the island:The dry docks to be retained for boatyard use, though “light maintenance only”, while the open docks to be filled with purpose built luxury houseboats, with a bridge to provide permanent connection.I am highly dubious about the bridge, I think the island should remain a proper island, - apart from anything else there are environmental issues dictating physical isolation.

Nigel Moore ● 6860d

The Chronicle ran a rather pessimistic article on the Brentford boatyards early this year, featuring this one as most photogenic and in romantic decay:In fact there is not so much work needed to bring them back into service, and the river is crying out for facilities such as this. The Council have in fact been supportive of retaining the boatyard use for this site, and recently gave it protective designation for waterside use.

Nigel Moore ● 6860d

Jim,Are you sure you were in Brentford and not, perhaps, in the New Orleans 9th Ward aprés le déluge???I am beginning to realise I didn't know Brentford at all.

Ann S. Allridge ● 6860d

This would have been a workshop..an engineering workshop with the gantry cranes rails running along each wall.I might send this to the BC&I Times!ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooto be continued!

Jim Lawes ● 6861d

We're going to have a look at rooms/buildings 1, 2, and 3oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooRoom 1 had two old items in it..this mechanical pieceand this hearth.oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooWe stopped in our tracks in Room 2..what had we stumbled across!!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooInteresting!! The wall panels have all been destroyed leaving the place open to the elements.oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooRoom 3 was dark, large..and full of junk.ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThen we found someone's washing facilities!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThere were empty beer cans everywhere..and I estimated at least 500 or more!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThe next location Room No 4 was smashing!

Jim Lawes ● 6861d

Jim Lawes ● 6861d

Well we made it up that slipway..and we could contemplate the next move. We'd arrived!ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAnd it was time to look at the map!! (Actually I've just drawn it out!)So we approached Lots Ait from the north east side..up that slipway...not south-east side)oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooWe were standing at the far end of shed 1a !We were standing at the back end of that left side dock.oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Jim Lawes ● 6861d

http://www.thames21.org.uk/index.htmlCatherine,Good to hear from you ..and Dorothy in USA.Nigel Moore is our local leader and master on Canalside and Thames matters..and he usually posts on this Forum when the next Clean Up is taking place. The thread lower down this Forum to do with ""Watermans Riverside rubbish"" is worth looking at too for previous pictures and references.If you have a look at the Thames 21 Website (above)there is a Calendar section..and it seems there was a clean up for two hours in Hammersmith tonight.They are great friendly events too.  I believe ITV TV are promoting a big big Clean Up at many locations next month..not just riverside places either...so there'll be plenty of publicity for that I'm sure.Regarding whose job it is to remove the wrecks..well Nigel did tell me once but I've forgotten!..but I believe the Local Council are half involved..with the Thames authorities.I believe that the Island is actually owned by somebody somewhere..so removing the debris we saw may be problematical!So whilst the helpers were working on the riverbank last Sunday..Alexander and I skived off to visit this island!and make a record of our observations!

Jim Lawes ● 6861d

Thanks again for the pictures I love to explore places like this, as a kid I use to explore the old mills before they where demolished in Manchester.I would love to track around this site, but the mobility scooter wont let me. It looks like you had a right little adventure

Dave Hughes ● 6861d

Jim thanks for the pictures.  That mud looked revolting, I hope nobody fell in it. Thanks to all you brave souls who are cleaning up the mess on the riverside. It cannot be a pleasant experience, I imagine that a long leisurely soak in the tub was the first requirement after that.    Where do the local authorities stand in all this? Surely they could remove those rotting hulks of boats. Looks like a health hazard to me.

Doris M. Lediard ● 6861d

Fascinating photos Jim. That mud looks disgusting - really oily and slimy... Do you know when the next Thames clean up day is?

Catherine Woodman ● 6861d

Occasionally I turned around to see how far we'd travelled..and began to wonder how unpleasant it would be to have to go back down that muddy muddy hill!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooWe noticed this machinery and a metal track...a hoist perhaps to drag boats up the slope/slipway.ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThen we entered the building...and saw a different world!!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooto be continued!

Jim Lawes ● 6862d

This gap in the vegetation on the south east side of Lots Ait...reveals a slipway..long not used. The mud was some 8 inches deep at least, uphill,and we held onto cables at the side of a wall. The mud was revolting and one slip would have been recoverable but unpleasant!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAlexander was my escort/leader and the Thames 21 participants were within 50 metres.oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooA battered remnant of a boat immediately on the left:oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAnd further along on the left again..a marooned craft.ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooJl struggled a bit at this point as his Wellington Boots got sucked into the 'orrid mud and Alexander had to pull the boot out!ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAlexander led the way..and it was exciting discovering the rare sights!ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAnd we could see a big hut in the distance..further uphill!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooomore soon!

Jim Lawes ● 6862d

It's that blob in front of you!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooWhen you wander along the footpath at the back of the Watermans Art Centre..(not the dustbins side ..the river side!)..and you are looking at some of the wrecked boats..this one will be familiar!(big picture!)See that little slipway on the leftside..that's where we're going to climb!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooThe occasion is the Thames 21 event last Sunday, when a smaller crowd than usual turned up to have a three hour session collecting debris from the riverbank..the mud was terrible! ;0)ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooCome on Jim ..we've got to beat the tide!oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooomore to follow...

Jim Lawes ● 6862d