Like other guys who use the woods, we wanted to get one in before Lockdown. That ‘one’ being another OWL litterpick.
For good reasons some of our regulars couldn’t make it, but those who did were among the finest, and made a brilliant job of the task in hand – to rid the woods of litter, much of it offensive to other legitimate users of the woods.
Safety briefing over we headed off on our usual routes, clearing litter and emptying black sacks as we went on our merry way. We know the woods well (why wouldn’t we – many of us enjoy the facilities they have to offer!). There’s unlikely to be a ‘hot spot’ (for ‘hot spot’ read ‘shagging place’) we don’t know of and don’t visit.
We are used to finding a range of unusual or ‘wouldn’t expect to be there’ items. Today’s were more ‘wish they hadn’t been left there like that’ items. In an area many use to have their fun, lots of discarded syringes. Fair enough if that’s your thing. But leaving them used and uncapped, potentially able to stab animals and, worse still, horny guys? That’s not on.
After a good session filling our sacks (well, Christmas is on the way) it was time to bring them back to the car park and have a break and some refreshments. Socially-distanced, of course.
Then back to the task in hand and more visits to more hot spots. It’s surprising who you find in them.
One for the ecologists – this bramble in flower at this time of year? If only it was a sign that Spring was soon on its way!
More litter-picking, high and low.
And then the final return to the car park, stapling of the bags, and displaying of them at the roadside ready for them to be collected by the rubbish cart. Today’s haul – 29 sacks of assorted rubbish.
And just as we were finishing, nice to be complimented on our amazing work by some passers-by.
Our next, December, litterpick was to have been on 2nd December – the last day of Lockdown. As long as any restrictions in place at the time don’t prevent it our Christmas Special (and Birthday Special for two of our regulars!) will be on Friday, 4th December. 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)