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.