Category Archives: Pix and Picks

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.

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.

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.

Another litterpicking session. Another opportunity to clear up the litter that others leave behind. Some of it in bags and bins – great. Some of it thrown on the ground and in the bushes – no excuse!

 With personal safety in mind our groups of two set off enthusiastically to cover as much of the cruising ground as possible.

 Not only litterpicking, but also cutting back overhanging vegetation to open up some of the paths.

With the majority of the woods dealt with it was time for a break and some well-deserved refreshments – including some much-appreciated warm snacks (such extras are always welcome!). Time for a chat and a catch-up. And the exchange of a few individual volunteers’ experiences!

After the break more of the same, covering the parts we hadn’t yet visited.

 Then back to base to tie the rubbish sacks and put them beside the road ready for collection. Today’s total – the equivalent of 18 of our regular-size sacks.

Our ‘solo’ litterpickers have been out during the last month. Their total of 36 sacks brings the overall OWL total for the last month to 54 sacks.

 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.

A great day to be in the woods and some great OWL volunteers taking part in today’s litterpick.

All experienced, off we went on our separate ways to empty rubbish sacks, and our bin, and to clean up the rubbish in between them.

A good hour’s litter-picking and our volunteers were returning having filled their sacks.

We do find some interesting items!

That went in the rubbish (sorry of it was yours and you wanted it back) but we also found some padlock keys and a Leisure Centre pass. Get in touch with us via owlsnaresbrook@gmail.com if either of these are yours or you know whose they are.

With our work for today having been completed there was just time to enjoy a friendly chat, refresh ourselves with the tea, coffee, and snacks that are always provided, and carry the rubbish sacks to the road.

The final count for today’s litterpick, the equivalent of 16 of our regular sized bags.

Plus a further 31 bags collected by our solo litterpickers who do brilliant work between our monthly litterpicks.

A total of 47 sacks this 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.

Some of our regulars couldn’t make it today. But four of our finest OWL volunteers could – meaning between us we’d potentially be able litterpick all of the cruising area.

Two groups of two set off enthusiastically. We really appreciate the fact that so many guys put their rubbish – whether it’s empty drink cans or condoms and wipes – in the rubbish sacks we provide across the cruising ground. However, it’s a bit annoying when there’s a bag available but rubbish has been chucked on the ground.

By the way, it’s even more annoying when our bags get ripped down and the rubbish strewn around on the ground and in the bushes.

 Great volunteers

Great work

Time for a refreshment break

Then back for more, including the essential task of replacing bags ripped open by foxes or torn down by idiots.

The final count for today’s litterpick, the equivalent of 23 of our regular sized bags.

Plus a further 28 bags collected by our solo litterpickers – who keep things under control between our monthly litterpicks – giving a total of 51 sacks this month.

Although we don’t expect it it’s always good to get thanked by passers-by for the work we do. HUGE thanks to the guy who today gave us £20. We’ll use that to cover some of our OWL 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.

A great team of community-minded volunteers were ready to do some cleaning up of the litter in the cruising area. As it had been so wet it the prediction was that few guys would have been cruising and therefore there wouldn’t be too much litter. Wrong!

 Seven experienced volunteers in all, who set off in three teams to cover the entire cruising ground. We even managed to cover the area opposite the school.

 Experienced volunteers can find litter anywhere.

We are always surprised at some of the things that we find. One of our solo volunteers recently found a crisp £20 note that he’s generously donated towards our OWL expenses. And today one of our OWLs found a cool pair of sunglasses. (If you think they could be yours contact us – owlsnaresbrook@gmail.com – and if you can give sufficient detail to prove that they are yours we’ll arrange to get them back to you).

 More litter; more work.

With their bags full, and in some cases overflowing (refuting the theory that there wouldn’t be much litter to collect!) it was time for a welcome refreshment break. What a cheerful group!

We reckoned we’d cleared practically everywhere and we were due an early finish, although one keen volunteer couldn’t resist going back to do a bit more.

The equivalent of 19 of our regular rubbish sacks collected in this month’s litterpick.

Plus 18 sacks collected by our ‘solo’ litterpickers giving a total of 37 sacks of litter for the month.

 Another great effort.

 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.

Another OWL litterpick. Another opportunity to empty our black sacks and clear up the sexual debris scattered around the cruising area. As well as cans, bottles, newspapers and so on.

The health and safety briefing over it was time to get down to work with volunteers dealing with all areas of the woods.

As usual our OWLs worked their way through the cruising area, picking up the range of litter that we’re so familiar with. It was good to be joined by a new volunteer.

Looks like someone has been dogging!

Our sacks were filling up quickly. Here’s the litter collected in just a few minutes at one location on The Mound.

Half time, so an opportunity to go back to base for some refreshments.

Then back out, ready for more of the same.

And finally the return to the start and bags placed for collection at the side of the road.

The equivalent of 21 of our usual size rubbish sacks today. With 35 having been collected by our ‘solo’ litterpickers that gives a total for the last month of 56 sacks. That’s fifty six sacks of rubbish that won’t offend other users of the woods, won’t affect wildlife and won’t remain in the environment for very many years to come.

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.

A bright crisp morning for this, our first OWL litterpick of 2024. Several of our regulars couldn’t be there, so it was especially good to be able to welcome a new volunteer.

Safety briefing over, it was off to work. In places the woods were looking good

In other places the woods weren’t looking so good

But we know what we are there for and three groups, heading in different directions, took on the task of removing sexual debris and other rubbish from around the cruising area, including emptying the rubbish sacks we’ve left in strategic places.

After an hour’s litterpicking in such cold weather the warming refreshments were appreciated.

And talking of appreciation, we found a £5 note. If anyone can  give us the full code number they can reclaim it! Otherwise it goes towards the cost of refreshments!!!

Lots more work done after the break.

Some in the woods.

And some on the road where a lot of cruising takes place at night.

Finally, time to return with our loaded sacks

And to place them at the roadside ready for collection.

The equivalent of 25 of our regular-size rubbish sacks. Plus 28 collected by our solo litterpickers. Making a total, this last month, of 53 sacks. Job done!

Thanks to those who dispose of their rubbish and sexual debris considerately. Those who don’t………..please help keep the cruising area as an area that can  be appreciated by all users.

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.

Our last monthly Litterpick of 2023. It was OWL’s Festive Fun Litterpick and some were definitely appropriately attired!

With a good turnout of loyal members we made good progress through the woods, picking up the usual sexual debris and emptying the rubbish sacks and bins we’ve strategically placed throughout the cruising area.

Having two groups working in dfifferent directions meant that we could cover lots of territory with everyone applying themselves to the task in hand.

With most of the area covered it was time for a break and for refreshments. And they were both Festive and generous! Hot drinks including mulled wine, a selection of warm mince pies and various other snacks – just what we needed on a cool, damp, morning.Some of us had to leave. Others carried on to do the final tidying up.Finally, the sacks were placed at the roadside ready for collection.Todays sack-count: the equivalent of 22 of our usual size sacks. Plus 31 collected by our solo litterpickers in the last month. A total of 53 for the month. That takes the total so far this year to 607 sacks – and probably a few more sacksful to be collected before the year ends. Amazing!

Huge thanks to our loyal OWLs who have worked hard throughout the year to keep the cruising area litter-free (And therefore reduce the likelihood of enforcement measures like patrols by wardens. We want good cruising to continue uninterrupted.

And a Merry Festive Season to all Snaresbrook Cruisers from the OWLs!

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.