TCV
Connecting people and green spaces
Crane Park - Winter coppicing
An activity with Richmond Weekday Projects
Activity date: Thursday 4th December 2025
Start time: 10:00
Finish time: 16:00
Activity description
We will be coppicing along the River Crane, working to remove small trees growing along the river bank and invasive/dominant species from the woodland. Coppicing along the river allows more light into this environment, promoting the growth of soft vegetation (a food source of the translocated water voles!). The root systems of these coppiced trees continue to grow and bind the soil, reducing soil erosion risk along the river. To coppice, is to fell a tree/sapling at its base (or 'stool') which promotes growth of further shoots. The result is multi-stemmed bushier growth. Coppicing is a traditional form of woodland management, with its use dating back to the Stone Age. Coppicing was originally used to ensure source of firewood and timber. Contemporarily, coppicing is primarily used to improve the health and biodiversity of woodland areas.
Meeting place
We meet at the Crane Park entrance located between 35 & 37 Ellerman Avenue at 10am. Walk into the park and look for the TCV van. We will then move further into the park. What3Words for meeting point: ///logs.follow.yarn There is a small amount of free parking available on Ellerman Ave for those wanting to drive.
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Activity location
Crane Park Tower, River Crane Shot Tower 81 Ellerman Ave Twickenham TW2 6AB, TW2 6AB
Site description
Surrounded by the river in Crane Park, at Whitton near Twickenham, the reserve is a mosaic of woodland, scrub, ditches, ponds and reedbed that has grown up since it stopped being used as an industrial area in the mid-20th century. Crane Park Island now provides a home for many important and rare species and is an important place to learn about the River Crane as it flows downstream towards Isleworth. At the entrance to the reserve is the Shot Tower, a Grade II listed building formerly used for lead manufacture. It was restored by the Wildlife Trust in 2004 as a visitor centre, with an exhibition, education rooms and a top floor viewing area. It is currently opens to the public every Sunday. Crane Park Island is a multiple Green Flag award winner.
Pick Up Point
Contact
Brittany Florence-Bennett
Telephone: 07483050759
Email: B.florencebennett@tcv.org.uk
Website: https://www.tcv.org.uk/london/biodiversity-action-teams/richmond-bat-west
Please bring
- packed lunch
- suitable outdoor clothes
- suitable outdoor footwear
Further info
We provide hot drinks, so please bring your own mug (and spoon). Please bring: Packed lunch & water, suitable outdoor clothes (that will keep you warm & dry the whole day), hat & sunblock, and suitable outdoor footwear (it can be muddy in places). Booking on Eventbrite is required. Please DO NOT attend our sessions if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 5 days.
Site Facilities
- Cafe
- Toilets
- Nearest Toilets - Shot Tower, when open. Otherwise, 15m walk to Mangal Kebab Restaurant (community toilet scheme)