Raven's Ait

[5][6] Raven's Ait was then used by Theatre and Cinema Equipment Ltd as a warehouse,[7] until bought in 1944 and presented to the Sea Cadet Corps by an anonymous supporter, for use as a river headquarters.

During the rebuilding, a small number of activities were carried on downstream of Kingston upon Thames, at the Albany Park sailing base opposite The Royal Canoe Club, with instructors commuting daily by boat.

[citation needed] In May 1989, the former Inner London Education Authority sold the island, Ravens Ait, to Kingston Borough Council, and began operating the property directly as a water activity centre and training facility.

[13][15] The council leased the island to Hartogh and Associates Ltd. for use as a conference and wedding centre, operated by the Ravens Ait Hall Management Company Ltd, incorporated on 29 August 1995,[16] which later went into administration and closed in December 2008.

[17][18] On 31 December 2008, when its lease expired, the Council took back possession of the property from Hartogh and Associates Ltd.[13] On the weekend of 21-23 February 2009,[13] squatters occupied the island with the declared aim of turning its facilities into an eco conference centre.

It also provided a semi-permanent mooring for Sparkle, a catamaran designed by Angus Primrose to be sailed by persons of restricted physical ability and mobility.

Raven's Ait looking upstream from Queen's Promenade
Ravens Ait in 1930s
The draw dock
Looking downstream from the draw dock