Gazing across the Thames, can you envision a secret escape route, a hidden tunnel leading to a secluded island? This is Oliver’s Island, a small, wooded islet steeped in intriguing, albeit likely false, history. Oliver’s Island, despite its name, probably has no connection to Oliver Cromwell. A popular story claims Cromwell sought refuge here, escaping through a secret tunnel from the Bull’s Head pub in Strand-on-the-Green. However, no evidence of such a tunnel exists. The island’s name, originally Strand Ayt, only changed a century after the Civil War, when the Cromwell myth took hold. Oliver’s Island played a more practical role in London’s history. In 1777, a tollbooth, shaped like a small castle, was built here. A barge moored alongside collected tolls to improve the river’s navigation. This “City Barge” gave its name to a local pub. Later, a smithy was established, where barges were built and repaired. The Port of London Authority took ownership in 1909, using it as a storage depot and wharf for derelict vessels. Today, Oliver’s Island is a haven for wildlife. Herons, cormorants, and Canada geese now reside amongst its thick trees, a peaceful contrast to its rumored past. The island remains a captivating sight, a reminder of the myths and realities interwoven into London’s history.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service