To read a report and see some pics of the OWL litterpick on 1st October click here.
Author Archives: Neil Frost
Litterpicking on Tuesday, 1st October 2024
Another threesome in the cruising area! But this activity involved litterpicking. And to be fair there were actually five OWLs involved in the session. After a chat with our friendly LGBTQ+ police liaison officer it was time to go into the woods. And soon our volunteers were hard at work.
As well as litterpicking one of the tasks was to replace the black sacks we place in many of the HotSpots. Quite a few guys drop their sexual debris in them when they’ve done the deed. (sadly, some go to the extra effort of throwing the same sort of stuff in the bushes).
Because the weather is getting worse, but significantly because a couple of our ‘solo’ OWL volunteers litterpick regularly, there was much less litter than we would usually collect.
Presumably someone was distracted as they finished and left without their umbrella?!
With practically every area having been covered by the three OWLs it was time for refreshments and a chat with one of our ‘soloists’.
A quick trip followed, to an area that might well become busier if the planned changes to the current cruising area take place.
Then the final bag-count. The equivalent of 15 of our regular-size sacks collected today.
When we add the 39 sacks collected by our ‘soloists’ that gives a total of 53 sacks of litter in the last month.
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.
Bad news! Cruising might be about to change at Snaresbrook! A new Habitat Restoration Programme is about to start, mid-September 2024.
The plans seem to suggest that much of the scrub, holly and other vegetation – which provide the privacy we enjoy – are going to be removed, leaving only the ‘veteran trees’ and allowing a much lighter, open, environment which will favour the original grassland that once existed.
OWL has received some info from Epping Forest about the proposed work at Snaresbrook – part of a plan across all of the Forest from south to north. It’s on our dedicated Habitat Restoration Plan page which will be updated when further information becomes available. Click here.
They say that a public consultation was carried out in February. We weren’t aware of it!
To read a report and see some pics of the OWL litterpick on 3rd September click here.
Litterpicking on Tuesday, 3rd September 2024
Just three of our regular volunteers for today’s litterpick as several others had commitments they couldn’t avoid. As usual we aimed to collect rubbish from our bags in the hotspots, from in the bushes and from the ground.
We are never short of rubbish thrown on the ground! (why can’t those guys who just chuck their rubbish anywhere use the bins or the rubbish bags? Is this what they do with their rubbish at home?!).
Two volunteers headed in one direction and one in another.
All returned to base on several occasions to drop of their sacks and head off for more.
The refreshment break is always appreciated!
After that more litter-collecting. The thunderstorms that were forecast didn’t arrive; it was a good time to be in the nude sunbathing area!
Finally back to base at the end of the session and the sacks taken to the road for collection by the Epping Forest rubbish truck.
Another good session. The equivalent of 17 of our regular-size rubbish sacks collected today. Plus an amazing 44 sacks collected in the last month by our three brilliant solo litterpickers who go round regularly between the monthly OWL litterpicks. A grand total of 61 sacks. That’s a lot of rubbish.
We wonder how things will change – from a cruising and litter point of view – when the Epping Forest Habitat Restoration Programme kick off (soon). For details check the dedicated Habitat Restoration page on our OWL website. Click here. And check back for updates as we get them.
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.
To read a report and see some pics of the OWL litterpick on 6th August click here.
Litterpicking on Tuesday, 6th August 2024
Two groups litterpicking in the cruising area, one person taking on the litter along the road and one person trimming back the brambles to keep the paths open. Ideal.
Off we all went on our separate ways.
Call of nature?!
It’s great when we get to an area where guys respect the environment and put their litter in the sacks OWL has provided.
Less pleasing when despite there being a sack closeby rubbish is chucked around everywhere.
OWL aims to ensure that good cruising continues to take place at Snaresbrook. That includes keeping the paths open. What a star he is!
After a good hour of intensive litterpicking time to return to base with the first half’s haul.
And time for a break and some refreshments.
Then off for more, concentrating on the areas that hadn’t been visited yet.
Finally, with the rain falling, back to base with yet more litter, with the day’s sacks piled beside the road ready for collection tomorrow.
Another good haul. The equivalent of 21 of our standard-size sacks. Plus 50 collected by our solo litterpickers, giving a month’s total of 71 sacks. And the bonus of a £20 note found by one of our volunteers. Thanks to him for handing it in. That will help to pay towards OWL’s expenses.
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.
To read a report and see some pics of the OWL litterpick on 2nd July click here.
Litterpicking on Tuesday, 2nd July 2024
A quick briefing and chat about safety and then our volunteers were off into the woods in two groups – which soon became groups and individuals.
Good to have a new volunteer joining us.
Especially as this was the sort of litter we were dealing with. In this case great that so many guys had used the bag. A pity that so much was thrown on the ground for us to pick up.
Some volunteers were able to multi-task. Impressive!
With patrols going on across the woods there was plenty of rubbish being collected and brought back to the car park.
The break is always appreciated – who doesn’t like a free drink and some snacks?! These volunteers seem appreciative!
Out for more in the places that hadn’t been covered before the break and back to base with it.
With all of the rubbish brought in there was only thing left to do – tie the bags and put them beside the road ready for collection by our friends the forest Wardens.
Today we collected the equivalent of 27 of our standard-sized sacks. Our solo litterpickers have collected the equivalent of 35 sacks. Giving a total this month of 62 sacks. What a lot of rubbish!
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.
To read a report and see some pics of the OWL litterpick on 4th June click here.