Category Archives: Pix and Picks

A fine day. A great group of guys. Plenty of litter to pick. What’s not to like?! (Answer: plenty of litter to pick is what’s not to like!). No one is doing the OWLs any favours by throwing their litter on the ground or in the vegetation. But it’s true that since we started litterpicking we’ve managed to avoid there being complaints about it – especially about sexual debris that many find offensive – so we are getting something right. And it is also true that many guys are using the bin and bags we put around the place, meaning that litter that might otherwise be chucked away gets bagged. And we collect it from the bags.

Of course, in these current times of extra concern we ensure that we are appropriately physically-distanced, sanitise our hands regularly and avoid sharing litterpickers.

Our party of eight got to work quickly. We wanted to clear up the nude sunbathing area before it got busy; we aim to avoid disturbing others doing what they are there for. The area was in a nasty mess. We soon took care of that.

On our way through we routinely empty the ‘permanent’ black sacks, separating the recyclable rubbish from the rest. Wipes are not recyclable. Nor do they rot. Just saying!

With OWLs in all parts of the woods it was somewhat surprising that nearly all made it back to the car park in time for some much-needed and cool refreshments. Someone had been a bit enthusiastic about chilling the drinking water; it was frozen; but the thought was there!

Already we had a good haul of filled sacks, but we soon ventured out for more.

We are not sure why some people rip the ‘permanent’ bags down. Maybe they think they detract from the natural environment? (Btw: condom foils, lube sachets, used condoms, bottles of poppers and wipes tend to detract from the natural environment).

The more experienced (wiser?) OWLs reckon we know the majority of the ‘hot spots’ where guys go if they want some time together in more private surroundings. But it’s always good to introduce our volunteers to places that they weren’t previously aware of. And which they then have the option of using should they want to!

Eventually the fun had to come to an end. Final task was to secure the bags and put them beside the road for later collection by our friendly forest warden. A total very close to our maximum – 54 sacks of rubbish of which 22 were recyclable items.

A credit to our loyal volunteers, who we hope we will see again next month. Hopefully along with others who think that what OWL does is worthwhile and worth supporting.

But wait! Did we say 54 sacks of rubbish? WRONG! Two of our trusty OWLs stayed on to do some more clearing up and added a further FIVE sacks, bringing our total haul for the day to a stonking (and in some cases stinking) 59 sacks of rubbish, 23 being of recyclable items. That’s the maximum amount the OWLs have ever collected. Another record-breaker! A brilliant effort! (although it has to be said that it would be good to have had much less work to do and far fewer sacks of litter to collect as a result of people using bins or taking their litter away with them). 

Our next OWL litterpick is on Tuesday, 1^st September.

 (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)

We’d planned to litterpick this year on the first Tuesday of every month from April onwards. Then Covid-19 came along. Lockdown, social-distancing and all that. So in the interests of everyone’s safety we cancelled a few work parties.

But wise OWLs can’t be locked down for ever and we felt that we needed to get back into the woods and do some clearing up of the inevitable sexual debris that would be there.

In fact it wasn’t anything like as bad as it could have been. Several valiant souls have been out litterpicking on their own – including one of our OWL group – and done a brilliant job.

Nevertheless, there was work to be done and following our posts on Squirt, along with messages to several others showing an interest, an amazing total of eleven guys turned up to litterpick. Brilliant!

A welcome, a description of the task in hand, a bit about health and safety and two teams were off in separate directions while another wise OWL flitted round the woods replacing the permanent bags we’ve installed in the hot spots.

There was plenty of litter to find and our newbies were soon up to speed and working well. Much of the litter is what we are used to. Bags, papers, cups, bottles and cans along the paths and in the more public areas. Used condoms, condom foils, lube sachets, wipes and tissues in the hotspots. The odd bottle of poppers. A latex glove. Not really sure what a tin of ‘weed’ sachets was doing in one of the hotspots?! Offering a new deal maybe?

Just over an hour’s intense litterpicking and it was time to regroup for refreshments. Not the full OWL selection due to Covid transmission issues but, following hand-sanitising, the free bottles of water and wrapped biscuits were appreciated.

Before, during and after the session it was good to have a much larger number of people than usual walking past and thanking us for what we are doing.

Time for a couple to leave us but most stayed for Round Two. More of the same but going further afield. It’s always good to introduce newcomers to hot spots they might not be aware of – even if under these circumstances the purpose is just to collect litter.

Corona was still around, of course!

Finally, the fun had to come to an end and the OWLs regrouped again to seal the bags and place them at the roadside. An amazing total number of bags, and an OWL record! FIFTY FIVE sacks of litter; thirty three of general rubbish and twenty two of recyclable rubbish.

HUGE thanks to everyone who came along and made a difference. We hope to see everyone (and more!) next 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)

With reports of litter building up, and despite the usual hibernation of the OWLs during January, February and March, today was yet another opportunity for some of the OWLs to meet and do an extra bit of cleaning up.

Pretty good weather, though it was definitely more suited to wellies than it was to slingbacks!

It’s not that we WANT to collect litter, it’s just that we reckon the place is much better for everyone if litter – especially litter that will be offensive to some –  isn’t strewn all over the place.

As well as the Epping Forest litter bin in the car park, and another bin we’ve placed in the woods, the OWLs have also put black sacks up in many of the hot spots, allowing easy and quick disposal of used condoms, condom foils, lube sachets and wipes. Many guys helpfully get rid of their litter in the sacks, others just throw it on the ground within a short distance of the rubbish sacks. We don’t understand why!

Working as a team the OWLs move through the woods collecting whatever litter they can spot. Usefully, recyclable rubbish is put in separate sacks.

There’s never a shortage of litter in the woods, but our volunteers are used to that.

It’s no problem picking up rubbish along the various trails.

Every OWL litterpick has its own unique flavour. Today’s litterpick seemed to feature Tropical Fruit condoms!

An interesting combo!

Working out in the fresh air means that, having worked for an hour or so, we are always ready to take a break for some refreshments and a bit of a laugh together.

Then it’s back to more of the same. The place looks so much better when it’s litter-free (well, we think so!)

Eventually time to return to base, staple the sacks up to prevent their contents being strewn across the road, and leave them ready for collection.

Another good day’s work. Thirteen sacks of mixed rubbish and nine of miscellaneous recyclables. RESULT!

Our 2020 series of litterpicks kicks off officially in April. If you’ve had some fun in the woods, or even if you haven’t (yet!) why not put something back by joining in a litterpick? Check the 2020 dates on our Dates of Picks page.

 (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 supposed to be hibernating until April, but the thought of a build-up of litter over the winter months awoke three regulars who just couldn’t resist taking up their litter pickers and heading off to fill their sacks on a perfect day.

As well as the usual litter it’s interesting to see what items have been left in the woods.

                             Someone into bare?(feet)

              If one of your balls is this colour you need to get along to                                                      the clinic!

  And if one of your balls looks like this make sure no one kicks you (although maybe a header would be ok?!)

The usual technique for these experienced OWLs – moving through the woods picking up litter from the ground and the bushes and emptying the sacks we’ve left in many of the hot spots.

                                          Sack-emptying is a skill!

                           If the caps fits…?

            A Grinder, but not the Grindr many of us are used to!

The Ts and Cs of any OWL litterpick are that having worked hard so far we take a break for our own Ts and Cs – Teas and Coffees.

Then off to do some more litterpicking in the bushes before bringing it all back to base, stapling the sacks, and placing them at the roadside ready for collection.

Seven sacks of recyclable litter and seven of general rubbish – not bad.

(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)

OWL’s Christmas Special Litterpick. This year attended by just the three original OWLs! Plus a friendly Masters student who had come to find out what we were all about. Great to meet her and good to get some lovely positive, objective, feedback both about OWL and about our website. She seemed to enjoy being with us and we appreciated her help.

The Safety Briefing first and then off on our well-rehearsed route through the cruising ground, picking up litter on our way to the various Hot Spots and the rubbish sacks we’ve left there to make it easy for guys to dispose of their sexual debris considerately.

It was a good day to be out in the woods!

Nothing like as much litter as we are used to, thankfully. Maybe because there’s a new Epping Forest warden who is litter-picking in that area and certainly because the weather has reduced the amount of activity taking place (but don’t let that put you off – there are plenty of guys still visiting, both daytime, evening and night till late!). Festive headgear was a must!

Not sure what head-banging action must have shaken these off…!

With a lighter load we were able to return to the car park for some excellent festive refreshments. A selection of warm mince pies, mulled wine, hot drinks. What’s not to like?!

Onward for the second half of the litterpicking session and evidence of the variety of activities and customs that take place deep in the woods!

Some areas were still more littered than others, increasing our sack-count considerably.

One of our lowest hauls ever! Just 9 sacksfull – 6 of rubbish and 3 of recylable bottles and cans (well, whatever else is being swallowed by the guys there it isn’t cold drinks at this time of year!)

Hopefully the owner of this Debit card, found on our walk through the woods, has cancelled it. But if they want it back, or want us to cut it up, they can email us at our usual email address: owlsnaresbrook@gmail.com.

That’s it for the OWLs in 2019. Another successful year. In total an amazing 299 sacks of rubbish collected this year. That’s a lot of offensive litter that won’t be drawing negative comments or getting official complaints from other users of the area. And a benefit to the wildlife too!

(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 great group of guys turned up for this litterpick, committed to cleaning up litter and sexual debris and generally helping to make the environment better for everyone.

Safety briefing over, we were soon on the case, visiting the various ‘hot spots’ where guys go to have their fun.

We think we know all of the hotspots, and are pleased to see that they are well-used. But this wifi hot spot seemed dead! No connection.

It’s good to see that many people are doing the decent thing, being considerate of the environment and of others, and, when they’ve finished their fun, putting their litter in the rubbish sacks we’ve left strategically placed around the various hotspots. And they are easy for us to empty.

Unsurprisingly for this time of year there wasn’t as much litter as there sometimes is, giving us the opportunity to take an early refreshment break.

Then back for more of the same, visiting some of the areas we sometimes don’t have time to go to.

Oops! So easy to lose your keys when you’re concentrating on other things!

Rather conveniently the rain started just as we were finishing. Just time to staple the bags closed and put them by the road for collection.

Another good haul. 14 sacks of general rubbish and 11 of recycling.

Thanks for another great litterpick, guys.

 (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)

Great to have such a talented group of volunteers ready and willing. And they were prepared to pick up litter as well!

Spreading out through the woods we took our usual routes, grabbing litter on the way and visiting the various hot spots.

It’s always good to see that the black sacks we’ve placed strategically around the cruising area are being well used.

It made someone happy!

And good to see that there is now much less litter around than when we started our OWL litterpicking several years ago.

Having covered a large area it was time to head back for a drink, a snack and a bit of a catch-up

Talking of eating, some like a big fat sausage and some prefer something a lot thinner.

But there is no peace for the wicked and it was time to head off for more of the same.

And something a bit different. Apologies to the person’s camp we removed. It looked like you had moved out a long time ago.

Then onward again. There’s always something to be found.

And the final sack-count? Twenty six rubbish sacks.

Thanks to our excellent volunteer litterpickers who make so much difference. And thanks to the increasing number of guys who are disposing of their litter considerately.

 (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 bit extra on the side! The senior OWLs decided to add an extra litterpicking session, before the regular session next Tuesday, 8^th October.

We’d spotted a considerable amount of litter on a previous litterpick in an area that used to be heavily used for cruising many years ago but which we thought had gone out of fashion. Not so it seemed. It was being used, and used well. Possibly a better maze of narrow paths than elsewhere; an opportunity to explore and find just who you are looking for among them; and plenty of places to head to for some more intimate exploration.

With special permission given to gain access to our starting point, along the Lido Road, it was a prompt start, which we needed as the weather forecast was pretty dire.

Making our way round paths that were new to some, and which brought back happy memories of the past to others, our litterpicking soon bore fruit and our sacks started filling.

And it started to rain. Well, actually it chucked it down. But we were prepared and it was possibly more sheltered in the woods than elsewhere.

It was clear to us that this area is still well-used (although we couldn’t make out where people parked to use it; is it a pedestrian facility?)

A break for refreshments and to restock with rubbish sacks.

And then back for more. A few ‘camps’ we found would have taken much of a full litterpick just to clear each of them so we had to leave them.

Nevertheless, we’d had a good session for just three volunteers and managed to collect 18 sacks of mixed rubbish which we could leave, by previous agreement, for collection by our good friends working for the City of London, Epping Forest.Another successful session.

 (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)

One of our regular ‘second Tuesday of the month’ litterpicking sessions, and with six keen volunteers we were able to make a huge impact on the amount of litter that still gets chucked away in the cruising area.

We worked alone, we worked in pairs, and we worked in groups.

And made good progress along the usual routes, collecting litter on the way, emptying rubbish sacks in the hot spots and clearing up the sexual debris that some guys still throw away.

It’s difficult to understand why, when there’s a rubbish sack so close, why some guys still chose to throw stuff on the ground. Maybe they are into dirty sex?!

It’s interesting what we find in the areas where guys have sex. Maybe someone likes sauce on their sausage?!

And it looks like someone is arriving having just got a prescription for their condoms, or at least bought them at a pharmacy. (Do people still do that?!)

Another area which would be much better if it wasn’t strewn with litter and sexual debris.

Our task is to clear up the litter and that’s what we do – whether or not we agree with throwing it away rather than being considerate and putting it in a rubbish sack or bin.

Having spent plenty long enough picking up litter it was time to head back to base and grab some refreshments.

Then off for more and another session where our groups ranged far and wide.

And then back to staple bags closed and take them to the road to be picked up. Another stunning amount of litter collected – 36 bags!

However, the fun wasn’t over! We’d noticed a smouldering fire deep in the woods and it had got such a grip on the surrounding soil that our efforts to stop the smouldering spreading were to no avail.

Only one thing for it – call the Fire Brigade. They didn’t take long to arrive and the eye candy was certainly worth waiting for! However, despite the hopes we had they didn’t get out their big red hoses.

Not only a very productive litterpicking session, but something of a happy ending!!

 (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)

We knew that the woods would be busy over a Bank Holiday weekend, so we had already planned an extra litter-picking session in addition to our ‘second Tuesday of the month’ sessions. And when the weather turned out the way it did we knew guys would be tempted to strip down to the bare minimum and head to the woods to cruise both day and night. And that meant that there would be plenty of litter. ‘Straight’ litter like plastic and glass bottles and cans, and ‘gay’ litter like condoms, condom foils, lube sachets and wipes.

Just two of us today. But as there seem to be other helpers, assisting us by undertaking their own litterpicking (thanks guys!) many, but not all, of the hotspots were fairly clean. The rubbish sacks in them were pretty full in many cases – proving to us that leaving them in strategic places really does work.

This is the way we like to find our rubbish sacks; full to the brim, and with no litter around them.

Despite having only two volunteers involved we managed to cover all of the areas we routinely visit. Having skilled and experienced guys doing the work makes it quick and easy.

Another of the OWL sacks – this one on The Mound. Appropriately used and nothing on the ground around it.

Time for a break – lugging all those sacks back to base was a challenge – then off for more. And after the counting of the sacks and the apparent end of the session, one of our team headed off to deal with even more litter.

So another impressive sack-count for a team of two people – 12 sacks of recycling and 13 of general rubbish.

Our next OWL Litterpick is on Tuesday, 10^th September. All are welcome to join us.

 (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)