Author Archives: Neil Frost

Not the best of days to be out in the woods at Snaresbrook – but, as one of our volunteers commented, it could have been a lot worse.

Skilled litterpickers who know the intricacies of the paths through the woods very well, our group of five volunteers were soon ready for action.

We know of plenty of cock-worshipping that goes on at Snaresbrook – here’s an opportunity for worship of a different kind.

Most of the time, at an OWL litterpick, we pick litter. Today we had an additional task – to clear a fallen branch away from a path. Volunteers always at the ready.

Cruisers, especially those of us who cruise at night, could easily find our entrance blocked and stumble into this hazard.

So, armed with the necessary equipment the branch was quickly cut away, leaving easy access for those who choose to use it.

As usual, there was no shortage of rubbish, and the wet weather made many items even heavier than usual. But in true OWL fashion we just got on with it, lugging our heavy sacks around and eventually feeling we’d done enough that it was time for the well-deserved break.

Then back for more of the same in different areas of the woods.

Often an interesting find or two on an OWL litterpick, occasionally with a theme of the day. Today’s was mobile phones. One leather mobile phone case with no phone inside, and one leather case complete with phone.

We are drying it out in the hope that it might be brought back to life. If you recognise it get in touch (owlsnaresbrook@gmail.com) and as long as you can prove it’s yours we’ll arrange to get it back to you.

On a more positive note, it was a special day for one of our volunteers – and there were daffodils to help celebrate St David’s Day.

Not a bad haul – 20 sacks collected today, plus another five collected by another of our amazing volunteers – so a total of 25 sacks this month.

The next OWL litterpick is on Tuesday, 5^th April. We are a friendly, informal, group of guys who think that the woods are better for everyone if they are not strewn with litter which some find offensive. Everyone is welcome to join us. Just look out for details of our OWL litterpicks on Squirt or pitch up at the Snaresbrook Road car park for a 10.30 am start on any of the dates listed  here. We provide litterpickers, rubbish sacks and gloves – and free refreshments!

(Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)

A great day for it in the woods – and for litterpicking as well!

Six enthusiastic volunteers had plenty of work to do emptying the various rubbish sacks. And, as a result of less-than-considerate visitors to the woods throwing their rubbish on the ground or in the bushes, collecting that too. Is this what they do in their own homes?!

It was our usual plan – work from the most distant point back towards the car park, meaning that we weren’t carrying ever-heavier sacks away from our base, only to have to bring them back. Our Cunning Plan!

The weather was good and we were able to make quick progress.

Sometimes out in the open and often in the bushes

And at the various ‘hot spots’ where a lot of the action occurs.

Of course, it’s always good to see that our rubbish bags have been appropriately used. Why chuck rubbish in the bushes when there’s a perfectly good rubbish sack to hand? (answers on a postcard!)

Plenty of sacks to be emptied; more than enough litter scattered around. Which eventually means the need for it to be carried back to the car park.

There’s a bonus in being back at the car park – once everyone is there it’s time for refreshments!

A chance for a break, a chat and a catch up.

Then back for more of the same but in another area not yet cleared.

And time to ensure that access from the back wasn’t impeded (a preference for some who use the woods). No more bending down needed before getting into this hot spot!

Then the sealing of the rubbish sacks and placing them ready for collection by the lovely Forest Keepers.

Another excellent OWL litterpick by our brilliant OWL Volunteers. Twenty five sacks of rubbish and a sleeping bag.

The next litterpick is on Tuesday, 1^st March when all are welcome.

(Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)

Dreadful weather, but our two Senior OWLs were up for it, underlining our proud boast that we’ll turn up whatever the weather.

No time to lose – the sooner it was started the sooner it would be finished.

Not sure what part of the body this self-adhesive Heat Pad might have been attached to…?! Gives a whole new meaning to willy-warmers!

Plenty for us to do. We wonder if guys chuck tissues around their homes in the same way they seem to do here – despite there being a rubbish sack nearby.

Someone has brought their reading material – presumably in case it’s not busy?

Time for some warming refreshments – much needed on a cold wet day like today.

Then a few final areas to visit. We wonder if this was for use before or after? (hopefully not during!)

We reckon it is so much better for everyone when there’s no litter spoiling the place.

At the end some heavy and very full bags, including a mega-bag from the OWL bin – giving the equivalent of eleven sacks of rubbish collected today.

And adding on the sacks of rubbish collected by our volunteers working solo at other times gives a grand total for the last month of twenty six sacks of rubbish!

 (Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)

The Christmas Special Litterpick. Christmas Hats and Festive Refreshments. But the refreshments had to wait until the work was done.

Good to have experienced volunteers involved as it makes the task much easier.

Five volunteers, especially at this time of year, can work through all of the cruising area and the hotspots very efficiently.

Although not at ‘summer’ levels there was still plenty of litter to be collected.

Festive refreshments, much appreciated, provided by our Festive Christmas Elf (rumour has it that he’ll be emptying Santa’s sack later on).

Then just the bags to staple and take to the road ready for collection. Six bags of recyclable and eleven of general rubbish. Adding that to eleven bags collected by individual OWL litterpickers gives a total for this month of twenty eight sacks of litter.

A quick, efficient, session. But there was one more task to complete. The bin we’ve installed to make it easier for guys to dispose of their rubbish had taken a kicking and needed to be repaired. Again, our Christmas Elf is good with his hands and soon had it fixed.

Our next litterpick, the first in 2022, is on Tuesday, 4^th January.

 (Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)

A good day for a group meeting of OWL litterpickers – the crisp autumn morning developed into a beautiful sunny day. Dry paths made it ideal for litterpicking.

Five OWLs (OWL = OUT With Litter) met up to deal with the litter strewn across the cruising ground and dropped into the rubbish sacks in the various hotspots.

Looks like someone has been gnawing on the log. Was the action that painful?!

Maybe they weren’t using sufficient lube? Not sure this is the answer!

With admirable attention to detail our two teams dealt with the busiest areas and soon it was time for a much-welcome refreshment break.

Then it was off for some solo work in the places less-visited by OWL volunteers on their usual routes. It’s surprising how many places get used. We still don’t understand why, when there’s a rubbish sack nearby, some guys still chuck their sexual debris on the ground or in the bushes. Rather than ‘fuck and chuck’ why not ‘shag and bag’?

But thanks, of course, to the many guys who are considerate in taking their rubbish away or putting it into the rubbish sacks.

Then back to the car park to seal the bags and stack them along the road ready for collection. A good haul. 12 sacks of general rubbish and 8 of recycling. Another impressive morning’s work.

That means a total in the last month, including the rubbish collected by volunteers working at other times, of 22 sacks of general rubbish and 20 of recyclable rubbish. 42 sacks altogether.

Our next litterpick is our Christmas Special on Tuesday, 7^th December.

 (Please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted. No inferences should be drawn from anyone’s participation in an OWL litterpicking session)