Author Archives: Neil Frost

Eight OWLs at today’s work party, including  friendly new volunteer, off-duty Policeman Sam who took to litterpicking as though he had been doing it all of his life. And who is supportive of the gay community and totally cool about cruising. A lovely guy and we hope he’ll be litterpicking with us again soon.’

With such a great number of OWLs in the woods we were able to cover a lot of territory.

And not just litterpicking – one of our number got his tool out and made good use of it, opening up the paths for easier cruising.

Starting off in two groups, but then dispersing, we made our ways as usual through the cruising area, clearing up all the litter we could find and emptying our various black sacks which we’ve conveniently attached to trees in the hot spots.

Surely this is taking clearing up just a little bit too seriously……..?

Plenty of full sacks were brought back to base part-way through the session, just in time for us to enjoy some refreshments.

Then on for more, with our OWLs seeking out territory that might not have been visited for a while.

Finally back to base and the placing of the sacks at the side of theroad ready for collection.

We reckon that’s the equivalent of 33 of our ‘regular’ sacks. Add on the equivalent of 44 sacks collected by our lovely ‘solo’ litterpickers and that makes 77 sacks-worth of litter this last month. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

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)

Four OWLs took part in today’s litterpick.

We set off with our usual determination to rid the cruising ground of all litter. Especially ‘sexual debris’ litter such as condoms, condom wrappers, lube sachets and tissues. These can be offensive to others and become the cause of complaints.

It’s always irritating when rubbish sacks and bins are available and litter is chucked on the ground near, but not in, a sack or bin. But in this case we know that the area around the bin was clear of litter late last night and suspect that a fox has been helping itself to the food in the bin

Not sure if these are in memory of someone or they are an attempt to claim someone’s heart. Nice flowers though. The buds not even open yet. We are wondering what £7-worth of flowers might lead to.

You get all sorts cruising in the woods. Anyone into Brits who are bears?!

Our volunteer litterpickers made good progress.

Until eventually it was time for the welcome refreshments.

Then a bit more litterpicking for two of our volunteers. With this amount of turmeric, part of the contents of a broken jar, it looks like someone wanted to spice up their sex life!

Lost a Front Door key while you were in the woods? We’ve got it. Contact us and as long as you can prove it’s yours we’ll get it back to you.

Another excellent morning of litterpicking. Here’s our haul.

We reckon we collected the equivalent of 21 of our usual-size sacks of rubbish today. Add on the 9 we collected last Tuesday and the 20 collected by our lovely ‘solo’ litterpickers and that’s a total of 50 sacks of rubbish. Impressive! (but did it need to be there in the first place…………..?).

Because our rubbish sack in one of the most popular areas was getting filled too quickly for us to keep up with emptying it, some years ago we bought a litter bin that had a larger capacity. We still weren’t able to keep up with demand but that’s a different story.

Having done many years of valuable service and seen a wide range of items deposited in it, the conditions had taken their toll and the bin was collapsing.

A new bin was needed! Although we get provided with rubbish sacks by our good friends the Epping Forest wardens, all other costs are borne by ourselves, the OWLs. So, several of us pitched in and we bought a new bin.

Today was binstallation day! Removal of the old bin (which only required a bit of stamping on to fit into a rubbish sack!) and the tying of the new one to the tree, hopefully so that it stays there,

Only a few minutes and the new bin was installed. Binstallation complete!

As much as OWLs like to cruise the woods as much as anyone else, today’s OWLs didn’t want to miss the opportunity to pick up some of the litter so the ensuing time was spent litterpicking.

Before then meeting back at the car park for a chat and some refreshments.

And the tying of the bags and placing them ready for collection.

We reckon that we collected the equivalent of 9 of our standard size rubbish 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)

A good day for litterpicking – the weather was perfect. Some of our volunteer OWLs must have been sunbathing as there were just three OWLs for this litterpick.

Into the woods to collect the range of litter we OWLs are used to collecting at our litterpicks. Bottles and cans, food containers, and the usual range of sexual debris – condoms, condom foils, lube sachets, tissues and wipes. Lots of wipes. How ironic that so many were collected on the day that the ban on wipes containing plastic was announced.

First half over it was time to return to base for refreshments, along with a couple of welcome visitors. What a selection! Sausage rolls, Hot Cross Buns, chocolate biscuits, gold chocolate bunnies and hot drinks! The OWLs know how to cater!!!

Then back to the woods for more. And then the final sealing of the bags and putting them at the roadside ready for collection.

The final tally – the equivalent of 17 regular sacks today. And with 14 sacks collected by our Solo OWLs a total of 31 sacks of litter for the last month.

(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)

There were four trusty OWLs involved in today’s litterpick, working in two teams of two. As usual, there had been plenty of action in the woods and plenty of sexual debris to provr it. And there seemed to be more take-away food packaging than usual, especially in the popular hang-about areas.

Despite the ‘Yellow Alert’ weather warning for snow, the weather was not at all bad – a bit chilly but there were a few minutes of sunshine and it stayed dry. One of the effects of wet weather overnight is how much heavier litter sacks are when containing wet tissues – which were around in abundance.

As usual our volunteers worked their ways through the woods collecting anything and everything that can cause offence or which makes the place less ‘natural’ than many would like it to be.

The refreshments were plentiful – a pity there weren’t more volunteers present to enjoy them!

For today’s litterpick a total equivalent to 17 normal sacks were collected which along with 11 collected by our trusty solo litterpickers gives a total of 28 sacks this month.

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)