Author Archives: Neil Frost

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.