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Brentford Ait -Did you know?

Brentford Ait is formed of the two big islands off Watermans Park.  The ait was artificially created from a sand spit in the Victorian times to block the view of the Brentford gas and coke works from Kew Gardens.With the exception of a small gap that separates the island in two (for a view of St Georges Church); the sole purpose of the island is to act as green barrier for Kew.  As such the trees are recognised in the Brentford Area Action Plan, the Thames Landscape Strategy, the Kew Gardens World Heritage Site Master Plan and the relevant conservation area study as of strategic importance.   The island includes not just willows but some alder and ash and one or two swamp cypress.  Over the past decade the island has established itself as the largest heronry in London and also has become an important habitat for both the German Hairy Snail and the Two Lipped Doornail. 

John Todd ● 6070d5 Comments

Dont forget the third Ait, to the west, Lots Ait. This is home to a derelict boatyard and various semi submerged hulls.It forms part of the Ferry Quays development and will be refurbished eventually, at least we can hope.

Nic Doczi ● 6068d

That's very interesting, John. I'd often wondered what those two little islands were doing there. I usually see at least three herons wading about at low tide from the Waterman's.

Susan Kelly ● 6062d

Most interesting and hairy snails will never be the same for me when I go to a film there.When is an ait an ait, and when is it an island?

George Knox ● 6062d

I'm not nit-picking but the story isn't quite right,the Brentford (and Isleworth)Aits pre existed the gasworks by a long time.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brentford_AitIt is true that they were planted with trees circa 1920 to screen the Gasworks.They were caused by the gradual deposition of silt from the fast flowing Rivers Brent and Crane on meeting the slower flowing Thames.The silt was absolutely perfect for sea lampreys to spawn in,due to this Brentford was a major source of fresh fish probably back to and poss.before Bibical times.

Tony Wood ● 6061d

I'm not nit-picking but the story isn't quite right,the Brentford (and Isleworth)Aits pre existed the gasworks by a long time.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brentford_AitIt is true that they were planted with trees circa 1920 to screen the Gasworks.They were caused by the gradual deposition of silt from the fast flowing Rivers Brent and Crane on meeting the slower flowing Thames.The silt was absolutely perfect for sea lampreys to spawn in,due to this Brentford was a major source of fresh fish probably back to and poss.before Bibical times.

Tony Wood ● 6061d