Crane Park Island
Crane Park Islandis aLocal Nature ReserveinTwickenhamin theLondon Borough of Richmond upon Thames.It is also part of The Crane CorridorSite of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation.[1][2]The site is an island in theRiver Crane,which is owned byRichmond upon Thames London Borough Counciland managed by theLondon Wildlife Trust.[3][4]The (only) entrance is next to the Shot Tower inCrane Park.
History
[edit]The area was formerly the site of Hounslow Gunpowder Works, and the island was created to contain a mill pool to drive mill machinery. Some remains of it can still be seen, but the only major surviving structure is the Shot Tower, built in 1828. There were frequent explosions, and the Shot Tower was probably built as a watch tower to warn workers of fire hazards. The Ogden Standard on 9 July 1915 reported that there was a huge explosion heard for 10 miles (16 km). An initial small explosion warned factory workers and they were able to flee before the larger explosion. Only 1 person was killed but flying debris wounded many.[5]In 1927 the licence to manufacture gunpowder was withdrawn, and part of the site was sold toTwickenham Council.The Council turned it into Crane Park, which opened in 1935. In 1990 Crane Park Island was designated a Local Nature Reserve.[6]
The site
[edit]The island is heavily wooded, and also has a pond and areas of scrub andreedbeds.Mammals include the rarewater vole,and other animals such askingfishers,woodpeckers, frogs,damselfliesanddragonfliesare also found there.[3][7]
References
[edit]- ^"The Crane Corridor".Greenspace Information for Greater London. 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 22 October 2013.
- ^"iGiGL data portal (map)".Greenspace Information for Greater London. 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 14 January 2014.Retrieved23 August2013.
- ^ab"Crane Park Island".Local Nature Reserves.Natural England.4 March 2013.Retrieved23 August2013.
- ^"Map of Crane Park Island".Local Nature Reserves.Natural England.Retrieved23 August2013.
- ^The Ogden Standard,July 9, 1915,p. 1.
- ^"Crane Park".London Parks and Gardens Trust.Retrieved23 August2013.
- ^"Crane Park Island".The Wildlife Trusts. Archived fromthe originalon 8 October 2015.Retrieved23 August2013.
- "British Powder Mills Explode".The Ogden Standard.Ogden, Weber, Utah: W. Glasmann. 9 July 1915. pp. 1–8.ISSN2163-4793.OCLC12982876.Retrieved9 July2022.
External links
[edit]
- "Crane Valley Park".London Borough of Hounslow.Archived fromthe originalon 11 July 2013.Retrieved23 August2013.
