Author Archives: Neil Frost

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)

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)