Eel Pie Island

The name may have come from eel pies which were served by the inn on the island in the 19th century. Its earlier names chronologically were the Parish Ait and Twickenham Ait, the latter co-existing until at least the 1880s. Before the 19th century it was for many centuries three parts – the core of each safely above high water, if not narrowly separated, as shown by a map of 1607. ==History==

Early history Some Mesolithic implements hand-made from red deer antlers have been retrieved from the island's shore. Eel Pie House There was an inn on the island by 1743, and in the 19th century it was a popular stopping point for steamer excursions. Its named features were a large Boat House, the Island Hotel, a bowling green in the west and the Thames Electric & Steam Launch Works. A set of rope pulleys operated in the early 20th century for assisting transporting light goods. It was not until 1957 that the first bridge to the island was built. In 1956, trumpeter Brian Rutland, who ran a local band called The Grove Jazz Band, started jazz sessions at the newly reopened hotel. Some time afterwards, Arthur Chisnall took over the running of the club and continued to promote various jazz bands and then, in the 1960s, rock and R&B groups. Famous names who performed at the dance hall between 1957 and 1967 include: • Long John Baldry's Hoochie Coochie Men (including Rod Stewart) • Acker Bilk • The Tridents (featuring Jeff Beck) In 1967, the hotel was forced to close because the owner could not meet the £200,000 cost of repairs demanded by police. The building had by now fallen into disrepair and was placed under a demolition order. However, in 1971 the Eel Pie Island Hotel burned down in a mysterious fire. A new footbridge opened in August 1998. ==Description and uses==

The island has about 50 homes, 120 inhabitants and two or three boatyards, as well as some other small businesses and artists' studios. It has nature reserves at both ends, protected from public access. All plots and walkways are privately owned. The public can access a foreshortened central path, blocked by fences and front gardens from any river views. Artists For brief periods each year, usually in June and December, 26 studios in and around a working boatyard, collectively known as Eel Pie Island Art Studios, open to the public, enabling them to enjoy and buy the artists' works. Sport The island is home to Twickenham Rowing Club, one of the oldest rowing clubs on the Thames, and Richmond Yacht Club. The island hosts the headquarters of the Parkrun organisation, which was founded in Bushy Park. ==In media, the arts and literature==

;Books • David Frome, The Eel Pie Murders (1933; repub. 1960), in the "Mr Pinkerton" series, features amateur sleuth Evan Pinkerton, a Welsh widower, and his friend, Chief Inspector J. Humphrey Bull of Scotland Yard. • Ben Aaronovitch, Rivers of London (2011), novel (US edition called Midnight Riot) • Ayize Jama-Everett, The Liminal War (2015), second novel in the "Liminal World" trilogy, multiple scenes • Ian Marchant. A Hero for High Times (2018) • Ransom Riggs, "The Pigeons of Saint Paul's", in Tales of the Peculiar (2016), short stories ;Television • Absolutely Fabulous: (1992) Fashion: Edina's mother inquires whether she has gone to Eel Pie Island again. • How To Start Your Own Country (2005) presenter Danny Wallace claims to be "Leader" of the island after invading it via the footbridge. After a few hours, the Metropolitan Police Service forced him to give the island back peacefully to Queen Elizabeth II. • Eel Pie Island Hotel, a 30-minute slot shown frequently on the TV channel Together ;Radio • Sherlock Holmes, 6 June 1948: The Complicated Poisoning at Eel Pie Island. Sherlock Holmes and Watson arrive on Eel Pie Island for a glass of rum and find a poisoning murder. Available here on Youtube ;Music • George Harrison mentions Eel Pie Island in the lyrics of his 1989 song, "Cockamamie Business" which was released on the Best of Dark Horse 1976–1989 compilation album. == Associated places ==

The Eel Pie Studios, also known as the Oceanic Studios, occupies The Boathouse, Twickenham on the mainland about a mile to the north. When owned by Pete Townshend it was adapted and used for international top 100-charting pop and rock recordings. Townshend's publishing company, Eel Pie Publishing, is also named after the ait. The Eel Pie pub-restaurant in Church Street, Twickenham is named after the former hotel on the island. ==Image gallery==

Despite its small size, Eel Pie Island has a wide variety of building styles. Image:Housing on Eel Pie Island 4.jpg Image:Housing on Eel Pie Island 3.jpg Image:Housing on Eel Pie Island 2.jpg Image:Housing on Eel Pie Island.jpg File:TwickenhamRC.png ==Notable residents and former residents==

• Original Doctor Who actor William Hartnell lived in a house on the island during the 1960s. • Indie band Mystery Jets • Inventor Trevor Baylis • Comedy actor Nigel Planer ==See also==