FORCE is a registered charity based in Twickenham, UK, whose aims are to protect and enhance the open spaces and environment around the River Crane.
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We work to improve local spaces along the lower Crane and Lower DNR corridors in collaboration with Richmond and Hounslow councils, the Crane Valley Partnership and other stakeholders. We are a community based organisation and work to involve local people in everything that we do to make the green spaces even greener and enjoyable to use !
Donkey & Brazil Mill Woods project
These two areas along the river in LB Hounslow are of great environmental and community potential but have suffered from neglect and antisocial behaviour. In early 2020 FORCE started a community engagement project with Let's Go Outside & Learn CIC, TCV, and Habitats & Heritage to improve them, funded through the Hounslow Community Fund. Read November 2020 progress report.
Litter Monitoring Project
Litter pollution in river and marine environments is a major concern. ZSL, Thames21 and the European RIMMEL project started initiatives to assess and reduce the impact of pollution. In 2016 FORCE commenced assessing litter collected in the lower River Crane. November 2020 report.
Lower Crane Low Flow Alleviation & Fish Pass project
A major project led by the Environment Agency to enhance the low flows downstream of Mereway Road weir by altering the flow controls between the Lower Crane and Lower Duke’s Rivers. A 12 month test from late 2017 identified major benefits to the lower Crane in the executive main report. The weir replacement started in January 2020, with current EA progress information available. FORCE supported a new fish pass as part of the weir replacement.
Citizen Crane Project
In April 2014 with ZSL, Frog Environmental, 50 volunteers monitor water quality & ecological value at 11 sites in the Crane catchment. Volunteers in 2016 “outfall safari” walked the 30km length of the river assessing 235 surface water outfalls. Eight were immediately investigated by the Environment Agency. The data helped prioritise investment by Thames Water. Project reports and data are on the Crane Valley Partnership website, including the latest for Year 6 2019/2020.
Bench Maintenance Project
This project assessed the condition of the hand carved benches in the park given some were 10 years old. The initial project refurbished the benches in September 2018, and will continue on an annual basis. Bench Maintenance report
Lower Crane Restoration Project
FORCE is part of the steering group for this exciting project, managed by the Crane Valley Partnership. A vision to improve the value of the Lower Crane was launched in late 2017. Further details can be seen here
Walks & Talks
Every year FORCE arranges Walks & Talks for everyone along the River Crane, Duke of Northumberland River and Crane Valley. The free walks cover many topics: birds, trees, river life, local history, bats. The 2017, 2018, 2019 reports attendance, popularity and successes. No report was prepared in 2020 as Covid regulations stopped most events.
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Osterley Park is a unique country estate, hidden in a suburban location close to the Great West Road. The Tudor house, built for Sir Thomas Gresham, was transformed in the 1760s into a neoclassical mansion by the architect Robert Adam for the banker Robert Child. The House, retaining Adam’s origin.
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The Society works to preserve the character of Bedford Park and to improve the amenities of the area and environment on behalf of the local community.
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Friends of Northcote Nature Reserve (FoNNR) is a constituted group that meets several times a year. The purpose of the group is to support the Northcote Nature Reserve (NNR) initiative.
