Author Archives: Neil Frost

Our first OWL litterpick of 2026. Four brave souls turned up to brave the -6^oC temperature. And the snow.

But there was rubbish to be collected out there, so off into the woods to collect it they went, despite the snow falling gently!

In these temperatures the rubbish was frozen stiff. One of our volunteers reckoned that a condom he collected was the stiffest he’d seen there for a long time!

Back to base for some welcome refreshments.

Our group noticed that there are a number of Police posters on trees near the Eagle Pond side. Apparently there have been reports of attacks on the ducks which the Police are taking seriously so additional patrols, both uniformed and plain clothes, are operating.  So BE CAREFUL if you are using that area.

Here’s the whole group of Snowy OWLs who braved the elements to get the litterpick done.

Finally, as usual, the sacks were placed at the roadside ready for collection. We reckon that’s the equivalent of 11 of our standard-size sacks.

With a further 6 sacks collected by our ‘solo’ litterpickers, that makes a total of 17 sacks this month.

Good work in challenging conditions!

Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.

Nine OWLs ready for the 2025 Festive Litterpick! And the weather was far better than it had been yesterday!

Litterpickers and rubbish sacks distributed, and gloves for those who wanted them, groups and individuals set off to find whatever litter they could in the various parts of the cruising ground. After a bit of ‘pose for the camera’.

There was plenty of litter to be found on the ground and in the black sacks we’ve placed in the ‘busy’ areas. Given the recent weather it was no surprise that tissues and wet wipes were as expected – wet.

After a good session across all of the cruising ground we counted them back.

Our Festive Litterpick and therefore time for festive refreshments! We were spoiled. Warmed napkins, flavoursome mulled wine and a selection of very fine, warmed, mince pies. What’s not to like?!

After which the litter that had been collected – the equivalent of 20 of our regular-size sacks – was taken to the road ready for collection tomorrow.

Adding the 17 that our solo volunteers have collected in the last month gives us a total of 37 sacks. Exactly the same as last month. We’re keeping the forest clean for all to enjoy!

Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.

Another nice day to be out in the woods!

Just five of us. So rather than head off in groups as we usually do we all went solo. Meaning that we could cover much of the various areas used for cruising.

Someone has been out and about. Who didn’t believe him when he said he had exactly a foot…?

Maybe that bit of extra help wasn’t needed after all…?

And it seems things are getting a bit classy…

With a number of unusual items having been collected, as well of course as the usual sexual debris, bottles and cans, nearly all areas were covered and it was back to base for drinks and a friendly chat.

Then today’s haul taken to the road, ready for collection tomorrow by our friends the Forest Wardens. We reckon that we collected the equivalent of 21 of our regular size sacks, plus a kitchen cabinet door!

Adding the 16 that our solo volunteers have collected in the last month gives us a total of 37 sacks. We’re keeping the forest clean for all to enjoy!

Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.

Our band of loyal volunteers turned up on time and ready to get started on another OWL litterpick.

A nice day for it! Safety briefing over we set off.

Depending on how you define litter it’s interesting what we find!

Three teams of volunteers ranged far and wide across all of the cruising area. Although lots of the undergrowth has been cut back it’s good to see that there are areas that haven’t been and are still being well-used.

Oh dear – not that old “Sorry, not tonight, I’ve got a headache” excuse!!

After lots of hard work by all three teams it was time to bring all of the litter back to base.

Then time for well-earned refreshments and a chat.

Before taking today’s haul to the road for collection by our friendly Epping Forest colleagues.

In the last month our solo litterpickers have been dutifully out and about collecting the equivalent of 42 small sacks (what some stars!) and we reckon today we collected the equivalent of 19 small sacks. That gives a total this month of the equivalent of 61 small bags of litter.

                    Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpick.

A litterpick that started to the sounds of chainsaws coming from the woods. The continuation was underway of what is described as ‘Habitat Restoration’ (a programme fully documented elsewhere on our website) but which also has the effect of removing much of the useful cover of some of the paths and the removal of some useful private areas.

Our group of seven trusty volunteers headed out across the woods to collect whatever litter they could. We are used to it all. Bottles and cans of all descriptions. Sexual debris including condom and lube sachets, used condoms, tissues and wipes, the occasional vinyl glove.

After a considerable time collecting what was on the ground, in the bushes and in the rubbish sacks it was time to bring it all back. 

   Time for a catch-up and welcome refreshments. 

Then the tying of the sacks and carrying them to the road for our good friends, the Epping Forest Keepers, to collect the following morning. Today’s haul – the equivalent of 17 original-size rubbish sacks.

In the last month our solo litterpickers have been dutifully out and about collecting the equivalent of 32 original-size sacks. That gives a total this month of 49 bags of litter.

Please note that we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. There might have been more OWL volunteers taking part than are in the above pictures.

No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session.