Author Archives: Neil Frost

With our next scheduled Litterpick not taking place for another two weeks a message had come through to the OWL Hub, from one of our men on the ground, that several of the rubbish sacks were full to overflowing.

OWL Rapid Response (ORR) kicked in and in less than 24 hours one of our senior OWLs had dropped in, completed a round of the entire area, and dealt with the various full sacks. This was certainly a Code Flashing Blue response. We’re not complaining about full sacks! We like them! And it’s good that litter is being disposed of considerately.

Never one to forego an opportunity to maximise on his time in the woods our excellent volunteer reverted to Code Green and in addition to emptying and replacing full and overflowing sacks, he went in deeper and dealt with litter in some of the hot spots. Incidentally, while there he found a ticket wallet, presumably having fallen out of someone’s pocket while their attention was on other things. Email OWL (owlsnaresbrook@gmail.com) if you know who it might belong to.

Here’s the impressive haul that our hard working OWL volunteer collected. Six sacks of recyclable rubbish and three to go to landfill.

Thank you to all who dispose of their sexual debris and other rubbish considerately.

Our last litterpick finished a bit early due to the RAF 100 Flypast, and our next litterpick isn’t for nearly a month so three of the ‘original’ OWLs decided they’d do an extra session. (We are wondering, as the correct word for a group of OWLs is a ‘Parliament’, if this group of guys would be a ‘Cabinet’ of OWLs?!).

Because some of us like to use the area at times other than litterpicks we knew that there were some places that needed a special visit. Despite increasing numbers of guys using the bins and bags, some are being so well-used that they are overflowing.

We were strictly on Code Red. Go to a particular place and collect litter there; no distractions taking us to other places; no taking a quick grab at some litter on the way.

With three skilled volunteers on the case it wasn’t long before several areas were cleared and a number of strategically-placed rubbish sacks had been emptied. So naturally it was back to base for some well-earned refreshments.

Then, with the ‘Collection Responsibility Advisory Protocol’, reduced to Code Amber (work together as a group, but less formally) it was out for more, with visits including: The Gymn (litter level not bad; rubbish sack being used); The Late Dirty Den’s (similar, but a shame more guys don’t find it easier to use the rubbish sack rather than throw their used condoms and foils in the bushes); and other places we know are hotspots of activity. In fact we found one new hotspot. Useful to know its location should the need arise!

Given the tinder-dry (rather than Grindr-dry) state of much of the vegetation we were surprised to see a number of previously discarded-while-still-alight cigarettes, some of which could easily have caught surrounding vegetation alight. That could have led to the loss of the cruising ground!

Eventually we reckoned we’d done our thing, the C.R.A.P. level was reduced to Code Green (do your own thing, end up at the car park at some point today), and by various routes we made our way back to the car park to staple and stack the rubbish sacks.

Not a bad haul again today – the equivalent of 20 of our standard-sized rubbish sacks.

Thank you to all who dispose of their sexual debris and other rubbish considerately.

(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)

With so much going on we weren’t sure how many of our lovely volunteers would turn up. And one of our most regular volunteers was going to be away having the pleasure of dealing with two huge organs (well, who wouldn’t turn down such an opportunity?!). Nevertheless we were pleased to welcome an enthusiastic group of willing volunteers. Our deadline was 12.57 pm when we reckoned the RAF 100-plane flypast would pass overhead; and we reckoned we would be in a good place to watch it.

So, as usual, we set off,  heading for each of the ‘hotspots’ which we treat as our priorities. Many users of the woods would find the amount of sexual debris there offensive. And we’d prefer that not to happen. It could lead to complaints and complaints could lead to ‘enforcement’. (Meaning regular patrols by Epping Forest Rangers – technically ‘constables’ – through the cruising areas.).

Lots to do, especially as we aimed to empty the rubbish sacks that we presume some well-meaning soul has left there, although they don’t seem to have considered that they need to be emptied.

Unsurprisingly there were plenty of drinks bottles and cans around. Lots of tissues and wetwipes. Quite a few condom foils and lube sachets. And used condoms. It’s our stock in trade. We’re used to it. And, given the amount of ‘action’ that the good weather, and reports on ‘Squirt’ seemed to have encouraged, there was a pleasing amount of litter in the various rubbish sacks, and relatively little in each of the hot spots. We’d dealt with ‘The Gymn’ and ‘Honeysuckle Corner’ (much less fragrant in this dry weather) before it was time to head back for our refreshments.

There’s always interesting conversation and friendly banter while we have our refreshments. And with men in uniform arriving to deal with a minor fire there were certain distractions.

But there was no slacking as we had a deadline to meet. So while one group headed off to deal with the area to the left of the car park, another headed to ‘(the late) Dirty Den’s’ and the nude sunbathing area. There was plenty to do.

With impeccable timing we made it back to base in time, with an impressive number of rubbish sacks filled with a wide range of litter.

Then out of the woods and off to the open areas of grass to watch the fly-past. We reckoned we got a good view.

The fly-past over it was time to head back to deal with the litter tally. But that didn’t stop our volunteers picking up rubbish on the way.

It took a while to seal the bags and arrange them carefully. The final tally of bags ready for collection at the side of the road – the equivalent of 45 sbe (small bags equivalents), plus a few bags left for collection elsewhere.

An excellent morning’s work. Well done to our brilliant volunteers.

 (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)

Another of our regular ‘second Tuesday of the month’ OWL litterpicks at which we were pleased to be joined by three new guys who had heard what we do and were willing to join in – thanks, guys.

With the Safety Briefing over we took our usual route along the paths and into the various Hot Spots (some might say ‘orgy areas’) that are a feature of cruising at Snaresbrook. We like to consider the needs of cruisers and one of our party was ready with his secateurs to trim back vegetation which might otherwise scratch legs, or worse still, nether regions. Many of the paths are now much easier to access.

Wow! The idea that the place is much better without loads of rubbish and sexual debris seems to be finding favour with a lot of guys. There was very much less litter in practically every Hot Spot we visited. Possibly helped by us leaving black rubbish sacks which were being very well used. Here’s one Hot Spot BEFORE we started litterpicking. The rubbish sack was half full and there had been practically nothing thrown onto the ground.

 It was clear that our new volunteers soon picked up the hang of using litterpickers and were soon experts at the task.

 Whoever left clear rubbish sacks along a number of routes through the woods had maybe done a good job of distributing them, but didn’t seem to have considered that they also needed to be emptied. Nevertheless it was good to see them being used – practically no litter surrounding them – and it seemed only fair that we empty them. Well, at least those which were still in a state where they could be re-used.

Lots of litter picked in an hour or so then back to base for some welcome refreshments and the opportunity to offer drinks to guys showing an interest in what we were doing – and planning to come and help at the next litterpick. Our friendly ‘core team’ always enjoy the banter during our break.

Then onwards again, our aim being to visit more of the Hot Spots where we have left rubbish sacks. And joy of joys (some of us are easily pleased!) THE SACKS ARE BEING USED, leading to much less litter on the ground.

OWL is in its fourth year of litterpicking and we are seeing an ongoing reduction in the amount of sexual debris around the place. More guys are taking their litter away and more guys are using the rubbish sacks.

Having finally brought all of the sacks back to base and prepared them for collection we were justly proud of today’s haul.

 The final count? An impressive 21 sacks of rubbish – much of it ready for recycling (don’t worry – the used condoms weren’t put in the recycling sacks!)

 (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)