River Crane, Twickenham Rifle Club site Sunday November 11th

When the suggestion of a nature conservation task at a rifle club was suggested, it seemed like an unlikely proposition. However, the Twickenham Rifle Club site adjacent to the River Crane is a locally important undisturbed grassland, and together with a small area of woodland and the surrounding parkland, makes a valuable contribution to the habitat continuity along the river, and this is despite the heavily (and inappropriately) concreted section of the River Crane. The site was also formerly the location of watercress beds, but sadly long-since gone.
The Environment Trust teamed up with the Friends of the River Crane Environment to relay woodchip footpaths, trim hedges, paint over graffiti and pick up a mountain of rubbish.

 What a load of old rubbish - well done Patrick!

 The nicely woodchipped path, minus Special Brew cans.

 The low autumn sun reveals a network of cobwebs covering the damp grass.

 Quins fans, please take your unwanted flags home!

 Despite the glorious sunny afternoon, this isn't what a river should look like.

 The woodpecker bench with fresh wood chip.

Arches at the base of the wall are evidence of the former watercress beds. 

The sun sets on another day of  volunteering.

Wenlock's Olympic legacy.