HEADER (FUTURA PT LIGHT 10PT / 90% K)
Tagg’s Island an idyllic place with a thriving community
Clare Denning spent a day meeting many of the island’s welcoming residents.
T
agg’s island lies on the Thames near Hampton Court and owes its name to the boat-builder Thomas Tagg, who moved there in the mid-19th century. Tagg built a hotel and transformed the island into a pleasure resort for British high society. The island sadly fell prey to financial collapse in the war years and by the 70s lay entirely derelict. Its revitalisation began with Gerry and Gillian Braban in 1980. Their son Grant, who kindly took me on a boat ride along the river to show me the island, manages the island now. He explained how his parents came across the island and discovered, in the abandoned hotel, the set
22
of Stanley Kubrick’s Clockwork Orange. The tables were still laden with props, make up and costumes,
and installed electricity and water, thus transforming it into the community that it is today. One of the many residents I met, remarked: ‘it takes a particular sort of person to live on an island in a houseboat’. Let’s meet some of the artists and creatives who live and work here.
even a goldfish dried out in its bowl. Boldly, they bought the island, sold off its plots, dug out a lagoon
read more at darlingmagazine.co.uk spring 20
Anna Lou Scaife is a world-class designer and manufacturer of personalised jewellery collections. Anna Lou launched her brand in 2004 at Portobello Market and is now based on Tagg’s Island from where she ships her pieces all over the world. Her work has been worn by celebrities and influencers across the globe. annalouoflondon.com
