Author Archives: gian

OWL had been asked to take part in the Great British Spring Clean taking place over this weekend and we were pleased to oblige.

The weather forecast for a morning of litterpicking in the woods couldn’t have been much worse, and nor could the amount of rain that was falling as we drove there. Nevertheless, five intrepid souls turned up, although it seemed that one got lucky before he even started and we saw nothing more of him! Particular credit to one of our group for being prepared to be there – only days earlier he had been made homeless due to a fire in his flat.

Given that it was three months since we last litterpicked as a group (although one of our number has been doing his thing every month to try to keep the amount of litter down) there was potentially less sexual debris to collect than we’d expected.

It didn’t take long for us to be deep in the woods

We had a fine team who made quick work of the task, cruising through the various hotspots and collecting the usual condoms, condom foils, lube sachets, tissues and wipes – and the odd bottle of poppers. And among them, as well as the various cans, bottles, and fast-food containers, stranger items like a packet of tomato seeds and a can of WD40.

Condom-friendly? We can’t be sure!

It didn’t take long for our sacks to be filled and it was time to return to the car park and relax for a short while over tea, coffee and cakes.

Plenty for everyone – and thanks for the generous donations to the refreshment stock.

Then off out to another area of the woods. Some cruisers have been busy and some have gone in deep to find suitable facilities. We reckon we know most of the places – although we were a bit bemused to find a hoard  of empty Highland Spring water bottles at one of them!

Deep within the holly bushes again.

A good morning’s work. The rain had stopped just as we’d started so we hadn’t got wet. Eighteen sacks-worth of rubbish had been removed, making it less likely that there will be complaints from other users of the woods and the subsequent ‘enforcement’ by police and Forest Rangers.

Not a bad haul

If you cruise at Snaresbrook please consider taking your sexual debris away with you, or putting it in one of the bins on your way out.

(please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted)

A familiar sight for many as we gathered for this additional Festive Litterpick

As sometimes happens elsewhere, we started with 4 but swelled to 6 during the session! All experienced volunteers, we soon got underway, taking our usual route through the various hotspots, picking up what on this occasion was a much higher proportion of sexual debris and a much lower proportion of bottles and cans – hardly surprising given the time of year.

Our sack-count was increasing and it didn’t seem long before it was time to carry them back to the car park and to take advantage of the excellent and generous refreshments – which of course included the festive theme of mulled wine and mince pies. Thanks to those who donated them.

With two extra volunteers having joined us we were soon back to work, as usual enjoying being part of a friendly group and in high spirits (potentially helped by the mulled wine!).

The Santas were filling their sacks well, progressing through the hot spots some of us know so well, but maybe just a little disappointed that the number we were filling this time wasn’t going to match the excellent totals on the last two litterpicks.

Then, just as we thought we were about to finish, two of our volunteers came across a positive Treasure Trove of litter. Many of us like a happy ending and this find enabled us to have one. Our sacks filled rapidly!

Finally, having wished each other Season’s Greetings, some of us headed home while others of us stayed to check on the quality of our work (and the quality of others in the woods). Some other sacks were then emptied and one keen volunteer filled another two rubbish sacks, taking this litterpick’s total to an impressive 27 sacks.

Although some of us will be doing the odd solo litterpick over the winter months, today’s session was the last group litterpick until we start again in April.

Be wise like OWL – consider how you can help everyone enjoy the woods – and not be offended by sexual debris – by taking your litter away with you or putting it in one of the bins!
(please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted)

Concern that the absence of some of our regulars might curtail the amount of litter-picking that could be done was misplaced. We welcomed two new members to our friendly group, and were particularly impressed that one had come along to deputise for another member of our group who was ill! And an added bonus, Free Passes to the friendly sauna, The Locker Room, were on offer! The only downside was that the car park was full of the cars of walkers, dog walkers and cruisers (some very hot cruisers left while we were waiting to start!), but car parking was available nearby.

We’d run out of rubbish sacks at our previous litter-pick, but a friendly Forest Keeper helpfully delivered more to us.

With three regular litter-pickers and two newbies, plus another regular who turned up at the end to ‘do his own thing’ in the woods (ahem!), we had the capacity to cover a lot of ground.

A super team, working well, we made good progress. It was the usual routine of following the route we are used to, picking up litter and sexual debris along the paths, and paying particular attention to the various hot spots. As usual, this was a revelation to some who vowed to return to enjoy a closer look and join in with the activity that so obviously, judging from the amount of condoms, condom sachets, lube sachets tissues and wipes scattered around, takes place in these locations.

Our team enjoyed chatting as they moved through the woods, exchanging cruising tips as they went. The weather wasn’t bad, helping the good mood even further. And fast progress was made, impeded only by the need to stop to take pictures (which, incidentally, are only of those who expressly agree to be in them).

It is fair to say that at each of OWL’s litter-picking sessions we are finding less sexual debris, but probably the same amount of cans, bottles and general rubbish. Thanks go to the increasing number of cruisers who are being considerate of all who enjoy the area and disposing of their own rubbish thoughtfully. Having trawled through a considerable area of the woods it was time to collect the full sacks that we had placed strategically along our route, return to the car park, and enjoy our well-earned mid-session refreshments.

So enthusiastic were some that we had to wait a while for them to come out of the woods! And despite the looks on our faces, the comments really were about how good it was to be out there doing something worthwhile and useful.

We set off in search of more litter after our break, but it was fair to say that we couldn’t find much, and fairly soon returned to base to seal the bags (to stop animals emptying them) and place them ready for collection.
Another impressive amount of litter-picking. At the end of the session we lined up 26 sacks of rubbish – nearly as many as our last litter-pick.

Thanks, guys – a brilliant piece of work!
Although we hadn’t planned any further litter-picks this year it’s been suggested that we do one more before Christmas. Look out on here and on Squirt for the date. Festive refreshments will be provided!

Please be wise like OWL – dispose of your litter where it won’t offend other users of the woods!
(please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted)

Good weather and a good group of friendly guys swelling our numbers! What’s not to like?! Some had come along because they just happened to have the time available today, some had come because they felt that they wanted to be able to contribute to the initiative, and on the basis that no news is bad news, it was possible that our numbers were increased in response to some silly negative comments about OWL on Squirt.

A short safety briefing – we want our participants to work safely and happily – and we were off in two groups, one group of four heading east from the car park and one group of four going west.

Everyone found plenty to do, although again, many of the usually-heavily-littered areas were much cleaner than we expect.

We pick up all litter that we can find – cans, bottles, food wrappings, crisp packets –  but our main purpose is to rid the area of the sexual debris that can be offensive and embarrassing to some users of this area of ancient woodland – used condoms, condom foils, lube sachets, wipes and tissues, poppers bottles, Viagra and Kamagra packets, vinyl gloves, etc.

As usual, there was a high degree of cooperation and a very friendly atmosphere. Some of our new litter-picking members commented on how enjoyable and even therapeutic litter-picking is. And by visiting the various ‘hot spots’ of sexual activity it is always good to introduce people to new ‘facilities’ that they previously didn’t know about and might subsequently make use of! ‘The Gym’ was new to some, ‘Honeysuckle Corner’ new to others, and some didn’t know about the nude sunbathing area!

An hour and a half of concentrated litter-picking brings on a thirst, and it was time to carry our full sacks back to the car park and get some well-earned refreshments.

Then back for another session of litter-picking; again with two groups heading in the two opposite directions, and going further and deeper.

And eventually back to the car park with the sum total of our spoils – 28 sacks – a record for all of our litter-picking sessions. But not because there was more litter! Because we had more people able to go further and collect from areas we might otherwise not be able to cover.

There was so much litter that even sealing the bags took some while. Eventually the sacks were stacked beside the road, ready for collection.

Many thanks to the guys who participated today – we hope to see you at Snaresbrook again (including at future litter-picking sessions!)

OWL – we really do give a hoot!

(please note, we respect everyone’s right to anonymity and only show pics of those willing to have them posted)