Crane Valley Partnership

03/06/2026

Monday 1st - Sunday 7th June is Volunteers' Week across the UK.

This enhanced section of the Yeading Brook West at Spider Park in London Borough of Hillingdon, pictured in May 2026, was (like so many other great projects in the Crane Valley) delivered with lots of assistance from local volunteers.



ZSL Marine and Freshwater Conservation Habitats & Heritage Thames Rivers Trust Environment Agency

03/06/2026

Following the success of a trial event in May, Friends of Headstone Manor Park and Brahma Kumaris are hosting some further (free to particpate) Listening Walks over the coming months.

Harrow Council Harrow Parks Friends of the River Crane Environment Habitats & Heritage Thames Rivers Trust

12/05/2026

A very nonchalent heron in Crane Park this morning.

Friends of the River Crane Environment Habitats & Heritage Thames Rivers Trust London Wildlife Trust Environment Agency

10/05/2026

ZSL Marine and Freshwater Conservation are leading a survey to assess public responses to the new river restoration site at Mereway Nature Reserve. We would really appreciate hearing your views through the survey link on the poster below

20/04/2026

Got a hectic schedule this week? Take a few moments to relax with this video featuring a short stretch of the Longford River in Hanworth, London Borough of Hounslow.

The Longford River is an artifical watercourse that was originally constructed to bring water from the River Colne to the formal gardens at Hampton Court Palace. It crosses through the Crane Valley but doesn't connect to the River Crane. Today it's owned/managed by .

The video illustrates how watercourses can provide green corridors in urban environments.

Friends of the River Crane Environment Habitats & Heritage Thames Rivers Trust

1 like. "A stretch of the Longford River in summer"

10/03/2026

The Upper Duke of Northumberland's River, just upstream of its confluence with the River Crane in Donkey Wood, North Feltham London Borough of Hounslow, February 2026

London National Park City Environment Agency Friends of the River Crane Environment Habitats & Heritage Thames Rivers Trust

08/03/2026

TCV and Friends of the River Crane Environment (FORCE) are both core CVP partner organisations and do great work on the Crane river system.

04/03/2026

Some views of Frogs Ditch - a tributary of the River Crane - captured in the late afternoon light at Cranford Park in London Borough of Hillingdon, in early March 2026. This little stream runs along the western and southern perimeters of the southern section of the park, joining the Crane immediately upstream of the Cranford Lane roadbridge.

London National Park City ZSL Marine and Freshwater Conservation
Friends of the River Crane Environment Habitats & Heritage Environment Agency Thames Rivers Trust

04/03/2026

Some news - via Friends of the River Crane Environment (FORCE) - regarding the management of an icon of the Crane Valley...

FORCE have been made aware that the lease under which London Wildlife Trust manage Crane Park Island as well as the tower, tool store and new café have been under review. We approached the council and they have put out a statement as below. FORCE will continue to engage with the council and the volunteers on the island to try and ensure that the facilities are maintained and ideally improved through this process.

“Crane Park Island Nature Reserve is a much-loved local green space, valued for its wildlife, natural beauty, and opportunities for the community to enjoy the outdoors. Richmond Council and the London Wildlife Trust are working together to put in place new arrangements for the ongoing management of this important site, following the end of the current lease.

Under the proposed arrangements, London Wildlife Trust will continue to manage Crane Park Island Nature Reserve, ensuring the protection and enhancement of its wildlife and habitats for the benefit of local residents and visitors.

As part of discussions to renew the lease, London Wildlife Trust has requested that the Shot Tower and the surrounding land are excluded from the new agreement. The Council will take on direct responsibility for these areas and is putting arrangements in place to maintain public access to the toilets within the Shot Tower.

While London Wildlife Trust will no longer hold a lease for the Tool Shed, it will continue to use the building to store equipment for its volunteers, supporting ongoing conservation work on the island.

London Wildlife Trust’s change in lease arrangements also means it can no longer maintain its agreement with the much-loved Thirst Off All mobile café, which has become a favourite spot for visitors. The Council is now working directly with the café operator to establish a new agreement, aiming to ensure the café can continue serving park users.

These updates are designed to minimise disruption for visitors, volunteers, and partner organisations, while allowing the Council to consider longer-term options for the Shot Tower, Tool Shed, and surrounding land. The focus remains on supporting public access, community use, and the site’s vital nature conservation value. The council will engage stakeholders about longer-term options in the future, once current arrangements have had time to bed in”.

15/02/2026

Tomorow (Monday 16th February, 10am-3pm) there is a Flood Awareness Open Day event at Stanmore Fire Station (650 Honeypot Lane, HA7 1JS). It's a great opportunity for those residents living in high flood risk areas within the London Borough of Harrow to find out how to protect their households.

The event is organised by Harrow Council, London Fire Brigade and Environment Agency