Friends of the River Crane Environment, “FORCE” formed in 2003 as a pressure group which successfully countered proposals to build on Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) in the Twickenham section of the Crane valley. In 2005 FORCE became a Registered Charity, with a membership  exceeding 500 people.

FORCE operates in the lower Crane Valley in Richmond and Hounslow.  We work to improve local spaces along the lower Crane and Lower Duke of Northumberland River corridors in collaboration with Richmond and Hounslow councils, the Crane Valley Partnership and other stakeholders.

FORCE are a fun bunch of people who care about the local environment where they live and play. We come from all walks of life with lots of diverse interests and views. The thing we have in common is our enjoyment of the green spaces of the River Crane, both wild areas and cultivated park areas.  FORCE would love you to join us in supporting the Crane whether you have an hour or two each month or more time. You can help in a number of ways.

Volunteering with FORCE and our partners provides a variety of practical ways in which people can improve our local open spaces and help to increase public use and appreciation of the River Crane and Duke of Northumberland’s River corridors. From October to June FORCE organises a Volunteer Sunday on the second Sunday of each month. These are in different locations with a range of activities from litter picking to tree planting to river clearing and even pulling up Himalayan Balsam.