#X100V #Fujifilm #photography
We were lucky enough to visit Eel Pie Island on one of the 2 weekends per year it opens its gates to the public. This place is a real hidden London gem and we highly recommend a visit if you get the chance.
We shot these pictures on the Fujifilm X100V.
We named this Fuji Film Simulation after our location today –
EEL PIE ISLAND – FujiFilm Simulation
Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: Auto
Highlight: -2
Shadow: -2
Color: +3
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpening: -2
Clarity: -3
Grain Effect: Off
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
White Balance: Daylight, +4 Red & 0 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1 (typically)
#photowalk #Eelpieisland #secretlondon #photowalk
Enjoy!
Eel Pie Island is an 8.935-acre (3.6 ha) island in the River Thames at Twickenham in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is on the maintained minimum head of water above the only lock on the Tideway and is accessible by boat or from the left (generally north) bank by a footbridge. The island had a club that was a major venue for jazz and blues in the 1960s.
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,[1] 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 separate which a map of 1607 figures them as.
The island was the site of the Eel Pie Island Hotel, originally a genteel 19th-century three-story building that later hosted ballroom dancing during the 1920s and 1930s.[6] In 1956, trumpeter Brian Rutland, who ran a local band called The Grove Jazz Band, started jazz sessions at the newly reopened hotel.[7] Some time afterward, 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.[8][9]
Famous names who performed at the dance hall between 1957 and 1967 include:
Long John Baldry’s Hoochie Coochie Men (including Rod Stewart)[10]
Acker Bilk[11]
Ken Colyer[10]
Cyril Davies Rhythm & Blues All Stars[10]
The Downliners Sect[10]
John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (featuring Eric Clapton)[10]
George Melly[11]
The Rolling Stones[10]
Screaming Lord Sutch[12]
The Tridents (featuring Jeff Beck)[10]
The Who[10]
The Yardbirds[11]
Pink Floyd[13]
In 1967, the hotel was forced to close because the owner could not meet the £200,000 cost of repairs demanded by the police.[10] In 1969, the club briefly reopened as Colonel Barefoot’s Rock Garden,[11] with bands such as Black Sabbath,[11] The Edgar Broughton Band,[11] Stray, Genesis, and Hawkwind[11] (then known as Hawkwind Zoo) performing there.
Caldwell Smythe (entrepreneur, vocalist, ex-Riot Squad, and, briefly, The Honeycombs) said: “I approached the owner, Mr. Snapper, who lived in Kingston and we agreed on a rental deal. I called it Colonel Barefoot’s Rock Garden and plastered west London with quad crown posters.” Smythe booked bands such as Edgar Broughton, Free, Deep Purple, King Crimson, Genesis, Wishbone Ash, and Mott The Hoople. Smythe said: “There were two stages: the headliner was on the big stage and the support on the small stage with the light show projectionist above it. We had a bar doing tea, soft drinks, hot dogs, and hamburgers. We then did Colonel Barefoot’s Killer Punch (cider, cooking brandy, and cinnamon) and we gave it away along with beer in half-pint plastic disposable cups. I had rows with the fire department as the emergency exits were chained shut to stop people bunking in. Eventually, after a raid by the Fire Chief, I closed down and walked. I was living in Chiswick at this time.”[citation needed]
In 1969, the hotel was occupied by a small group of local anarchists including illustrator Clifford Harper. By 1970 the Eel Pie Island Commune had become the UK’s largest hippie commune.[14]
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.[10][15]
The center of the island was devastated by fire in 1996, and a year later, the only footbridge to the island was damaged by a utility contractor.[15] A new footbridge opened in August 1998.[15]