Author Archives: Neil Frost

Covid has got to three of the OWLs! They all seem to be recovering but our July litterpick was cancelled – we think that is the first time that we’ve ever cancelled a monthly litterpick! Damn!

But that hasn’t stopped individual OWLs getting out there and doing their solo things.

This is the sort of thing we find

No excuse really when there’s a rubbish sack so close, like here

But we cheerfully clear up the area, empty the sack, and move on.

Eventually getting our individual hauls to the road where our friends the Forest Keepers will come along and collect the rubbish and take it off to the recycling centre.

We reckon that between us in this last month our individual OWLs have collected, in total, the equivalent of 46 sacks of litter.

And what a difference that makes.

Four loyal OWLs pitched up for the monthly OWL litterpick, ready and willing to clean up the mess that some of our fellow cruisers would rather chuck away than put in one of the many rubbish sacks we’ve provided or take it away with them.

We wanted to cover as much of the area as possible so we were soon down to work.

Is there really an excuse for chucking stuff like this on the ground when there’s a rubbish sack right there?

It’s not only nasty stuff we find. We’ve found mobile phones, wallets, money and today – a front door key. Let us know if it is yours (OWLsnaresbrook@gmail.com).

Meanwhile rubbish was being collected from the various hotspots, both from the ground and from the rubbish sacks

And coming in from all directions

Then time for a chat and well-earned refreshments.

Back to litter-picking for some of us while one of our OWLs got out his big tool and started trimming the vegetation. After all, no one wants nettles or brambles blocking their passage!

Then the final bag count. 16 sacks today, plus another 21 collected by OWLs working solo on other days, making a total of 37 sacks of rubbish this month.

Some might notice that the rubbish is now mainly in one colour of bag. We no longer separate recycling from non-recycling. It’s all done automatically by the solar-powered recycling plant nearby! Eco-OWLs!!

The next OWL litterpick is on Tuesday, 5^th July. If you or someone you know think that it’s worth keeping the woods clear of litter so that everyone can enjoy this unique environment please consider joining us. Everyone is welcome. We are a welcoming, friendly, group who don’t take ourselves too seriously. Just look out for details on Squirt or pitch up at the Snaresbrook Road car park for a 10.30 am start on any of the dates listed here.

(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 OWLs were out in the woods again – giving a hoot about the unnecessary litter that degrades the natural environment and is offensive to others. OWLs feel that it is unnecessary rather than offensive. We have placed rubbish sacks in most of the Hot Spots where guys go to have sex, and it is dead easy to place used condoms, foils, lube sachets and wipes in them for us to empty at a later date. One of our volunteers makes sure that sacks are well-maintained. He’s been around recently replacing any damaged or missing sacks.

Before today’s litterpicking, a bit of ‘maintenance’ sawing down an overhanging branch that had got too low for many to get under.

Then  on to litterpicking with five of our excellent OWLS ready to go onto the woods armed with litterpickers and rubbish sacks.

As well as the usual sexual debris, cans and bottles there are other interesting finds. Was the guy who brought this intending to stay the night? (At least it was Kingsize!)

It’s been sunny. Very Dame Edna Everage!

Seems that someone has lost one of their balls

But we aren’t just there for the humour; we are there to clear the place up. It seems the foxes have made a start clearing this bin.

But this is man-made mess.

And is there any excuse for this?

Or this?

We don’t understand why guys throw rubbish on the ground when there is a bag right next to them. Is that what they do at home?

The refreshment break is always a good time to catch up with news, pull each others’ legs and have a chat. One of our number was so involved that he didn’t even get back for the break.

More litterpicking after our break and then time to seal the bags and leave them by the road for collection.

Twenty two collected by the OWLs at this litterpicking session. And nineteen sacks of litter collected by three of our volunteers working at solo sessions. That’s a grand total of forty-one sacks. Forty-one sacks of litter is forty-one sacks too many. But at least that litter has been removed and isn’t there to ruin the natural beauty of the woods, affect wildlife or offend other users.

The next OWL litterpick is on Tuesday, 7^th June. If you or someone you know think that it’s worth keeping the woods clear of litter so that everyone can enjoy this unique environment please consider joining us. Everyone is welcome. Just look out for details on Squirt or pitch up at the Snaresbrook Road car park for a 10.30 am start on any of the dates listed here.

(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 OWL Litterpick. Another opportunity to clear up the litter, much of it offensive to others. Five volunteers, all experienced, all ready for the task in hand.

Not just the litter that has been thrown around anywhere and everywhere. At least some have tried to put their rubbish in the right place – we just haven’t been able to keep up with the demand!

There’s always plenty to do. There was more than plenty today!

Here’s another place where we just haven’t kept up with demand. But thanks to those who have at least left their rubbish where it’s easy to collect, not carelessly chucked it in the bushes where access to it is more difficult.

Eventually, with plenty of litter having been collected, and more waiting to be, it was time for a refreshment break.

Then back to more collecting of litter and emptying of the black bags we’ve installed in those ‘Special Places’ that guys like to use.

Our OWL Volunteers covered as much of the cruising ground as they could in the time available.

And finally the stapling up of the rubbish sacks and stacking them at the roadside ready for collection by our friendly Forest Wardens.

And how’s this for commitment?! Aware that we had not had time to visit every Special Place we normally clear up, one of our wonderful volunteers went back to deal with them and collected a further three sacks of litter. So, in total, thirty one sacks of mixed litter were collected today, plus eight collected by one of our volunteers working solo. That’s a total this month of THIRTY NINE sacks.

The next OWL litterpick is on Tuesday, 3^rd May. If you or someone you know think that it’s worth keeping the woods clear of litter so that everyone can enjoy this unique environment please consider joining us. Everyone is welcome. Just look out for details on Squirt or pitch up at the Snaresbrook Road car park for a 10.30 am start on any of the dates listed here.

(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)

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)