With so much going on we weren’t sure how many of our lovely volunteers would turn up. And one of our most regular volunteers was going to be away having the pleasure of dealing with two huge organs (well, who wouldn’t turn down such an opportunity?!). Nevertheless we were pleased to welcome an enthusiastic group of willing volunteers. Our deadline was 12.57 pm when we reckoned the RAF 100-plane flypast would pass overhead; and we reckoned we would be in a good place to watch it.
So, as usual, we set off, heading for each of the ‘hotspots’ which we treat as our priorities. Many users of the woods would find the amount of sexual debris there offensive. And we’d prefer that not to happen. It could lead to complaints and complaints could lead to ‘enforcement’. (Meaning regular patrols by Epping Forest Rangers – technically ‘constables’ – through the cruising areas.).
Lots to do, especially as we aimed to empty the rubbish sacks that we presume some well-meaning soul has left there, although they don’t seem to have considered that they need to be emptied.
Unsurprisingly there were plenty of drinks bottles and cans around. Lots of tissues and wetwipes. Quite a few condom foils and lube sachets. And used condoms. It’s our stock in trade. We’re used to it. And, given the amount of ‘action’ that the good weather, and reports on ‘Squirt’ seemed to have encouraged, there was a pleasing amount of litter in the various rubbish sacks, and relatively little in each of the hot spots. We’d dealt with ‘The Gymn’ and ‘Honeysuckle Corner’ (much less fragrant in this dry weather) before it was time to head back for our refreshments.
There’s always interesting conversation and friendly banter while we have our refreshments. And with men in uniform arriving to deal with a minor fire there were certain distractions.
But there was no slacking as we had a deadline to meet. So while one group headed off to deal with the area to the left of the car park, another headed to ‘(the late) Dirty Den’s’ and the nude sunbathing area. There was plenty to do.
With impeccable timing we made it back to base in time, with an impressive number of rubbish sacks filled with a wide range of litter.
Then out of the woods and off to the open areas of grass to watch the fly-past. We reckoned we got a good view.
The fly-past over it was time to head back to deal with the litter tally. But that didn’t stop our volunteers picking up rubbish on the way.
It took a while to seal the bags and arrange them carefully. The final tally of bags ready for collection at the side of the road – the equivalent of 45 sbe (small bags equivalents), plus a few bags left for collection elsewhere.
An excellent morning’s work. Well done to our brilliant volunteers.
(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)