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[[Image:StMarysChurchBrownseaIsland.JPG|thumb|St Marys Church Exterior|250px|left|St Marys Church]] | [[Image:StMarysChurchBrownseaIsland.JPG|thumb|St Marys Church Exterior|250px|left|St Marys Church]] | ||
=== Bonham-Christie and the | === Bonham-Christie and the Second World War === | ||
In the 1930s the owner of the island, Mrs. Mary Bonham-Christie, closed the island to visitors to make it a wildlife sanctuary. This led to the island becoming overgrown, but when the National Trust purchased the island after the owner's death, it was reopened to the public. | In the 1930s the owner of the island, Mrs. Mary Bonham-Christie, closed the island to visitors to make it a wildlife sanctuary. This led to the island becoming overgrown, but when the National Trust purchased the island after the owner's death, it was reopened to the public. | ||
In the | In the Second World War lights were placed on the island at night to divert the attention of bombers away from the nearby conurbation of [[Poole]] and [[Bournemouth]], army camps on the [[Purbecks]] and the important naval base on the [[Isle of Portland]]. There are many bomb craters on the island that are havens for rare wildlife. | ||
Since 1964 the island has been host to the [[Brownsea Open Air Theatre]], annually performing the works of [[William Shakespeare]]. | Since 1964 the island has been host to the [[Brownsea Open Air Theatre]], annually performing the works of [[William Shakespeare]]. |