Category Archives: Pix and Picks

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.

Another OWL litterpick. Another opportunity to empty our black sacks and clear up the sexual debris scattered around the cruising area. As well as cans, bottles, newspapers and so on.

The health and safety briefing over it was time to get down to work with volunteers dealing with all areas of the woods.

As usual our OWLs worked their way through the cruising area, picking up the range of litter that we’re so familiar with. It was good to be joined by a new volunteer.

Looks like someone has been dogging!

Our sacks were filling up quickly. Here’s the litter collected in just a few minutes at one location on The Mound.

Half time, so an opportunity to go back to base for some refreshments.

Then back out, ready for more of the same.

And finally the return to the start and bags placed for collection at the side of the road.

The equivalent of 21 of our usual size rubbish sacks today. With 35 having been collected by our ‘solo’ litterpickers that gives a total for the last month of 56 sacks. That’s fifty six sacks of rubbish that won’t offend other users of the woods, won’t affect wildlife and won’t remain in the environment for very many years to come.

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 bright crisp morning for this, our first OWL litterpick of 2024. Several of our regulars couldn’t be there, so it was especially good to be able to welcome a new volunteer.

Safety briefing over, it was off to work. In places the woods were looking good

In other places the woods weren’t looking so good

But we know what we are there for and three groups, heading in different directions, took on the task of removing sexual debris and other rubbish from around the cruising area, including emptying the rubbish sacks we’ve left in strategic places.

After an hour’s litterpicking in such cold weather the warming refreshments were appreciated.

And talking of appreciation, we found a £5 note. If anyone can  give us the full code number they can reclaim it! Otherwise it goes towards the cost of refreshments!!!

Lots more work done after the break.

Some in the woods.

And some on the road where a lot of cruising takes place at night.

Finally, time to return with our loaded sacks

And to place them at the roadside ready for collection.

The equivalent of 25 of our regular-size rubbish sacks. Plus 28 collected by our solo litterpickers. Making a total, this last month, of 53 sacks. Job done!

Thanks to those who dispose of their rubbish and sexual debris considerately. Those who don’t………..please help keep the cruising area as an area that can  be appreciated by all users.

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.

Our last monthly Litterpick of 2023. It was OWL’s Festive Fun Litterpick and some were definitely appropriately attired!

With a good turnout of loyal members we made good progress through the woods, picking up the usual sexual debris and emptying the rubbish sacks and bins we’ve strategically placed throughout the cruising area.

Having two groups working in dfifferent directions meant that we could cover lots of territory with everyone applying themselves to the task in hand.

With most of the area covered it was time for a break and for refreshments. And they were both Festive and generous! Hot drinks including mulled wine, a selection of warm mince pies and various other snacks – just what we needed on a cool, damp, morning.Some of us had to leave. Others carried on to do the final tidying up.Finally, the sacks were placed at the roadside ready for collection.Todays sack-count: the equivalent of 22 of our usual size sacks. Plus 31 collected by our solo litterpickers in the last month. A total of 53 for the month. That takes the total so far this year to 607 sacks – and probably a few more sacksful to be collected before the year ends. Amazing!

Huge thanks to our loyal OWLs who have worked hard throughout the year to keep the cruising area litter-free (And therefore reduce the likelihood of enforcement measures like patrols by wardens. We want good cruising to continue uninterrupted.

And a Merry Festive Season to all Snaresbrook Cruisers from the OWLs!

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 group of guys for our November OWL litterpick, nine in all, including a visitor from SMUT Press.

Following the Introductions and Health and Safety briefings two groups got underway. One heading East (no sign of a star!) and one heading West.

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

There’s always plenty to do.

Our loyal volunteers know just where to go to collect every last bit of litter, whether in one of our rubbish sacks or on the ground.

If the old adage about the amount of berries indicating the severity of the forthcoming winter is true, this winter is going to be harsh.

After a good hour of litterpicking it was time to return to base with the first haul of sacks.

Time to enjoy a break and some delicious home-cooked goodies.

Then back out for more for some. It’s not unusual to hear the comment: “this one’s about a foot!”

Some volunteers went far from base to collect from an area that always provides lots of litter.

Then finally back to base with the sacks tied up and placed on the road for collection tomorrow morning.

The equivalent of 22 of our usual-size sacks collected today. Plus, during the last month, the equivalent of 34 sacks collected by our OWL solo litterpickers, making an impressive total for the last month of 56 sacks.

Thanks to everyone who participated.

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.

It’s always good to be in the woods with other guys and today was no exception. Fine weather and guys who were up for it. (Litterpicking, that is). And good to be able to welcome a new OWL who had come along to take part.

The Health and Safety briefing over, two groups were soon underway. One group heading to the woods between the Snaresbrook Road car park and Eagle Pond. The other group heading to the woods between the car park and Woodford New Road.

We were all quickly down to work

We get used to the variety of things we find. Who wouldn’t expect to find a bass speaker cabinet in the woods?!

One of our team reckons, with them having been banned, this could be the last ever piece of single-use plastic cutlery we find….

Talking of unusual finds, what about these? Had someone thrown their (sex) toys out of the pram?! We really should have included something in the pic to give a sense of scale! Believe us, that is one LARGE dildo! Several said they’d give use of that a wide berth. Another commented that it would create one! 

Much of the woods having been rid of general litter and much offensive litter, and with an extra rubbish sack installed in one place and another removed in another place, it was time to meet up again and enjoy friendly chat, banter and refreshments.

Then, for most of us, off again to do more of the same but in different places.

 With practically all of the woods having been cleared, as well as the stretch along the road and the area near the school, it was time to regroup, tie the bags and leave them ready for collection.

The total bag-count for todays session? The equivalent of 27 standard sized rubbish sacks. Adding 32 collected over the last month by our three ‘solo’ litterpickers gives a monthly total of 59 sacks, much of which heads off for re-cycling. (Not the dildo! That’s being saved for a special occasion!)

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 month; another OWL litterpick. Six willing volunteers were ready to clean up the woods and make them better for all users.

As usual we set off in teams, our tasks being to empty the various rubbish sacks we’ve placed in the many ‘hot spots’; to clear up the rubbish around them (SO unnecessary when there’s a sack so close); and to remove the litter from the paths and tracks.

There’s never a shortage of litter to be collected.

It’s great that in the sunbathing areas generally guys use the rubbish sacks we’ve placed there. Makes it better for everyone. Nevertheless, the sacks still need to be emptied.

If guys are cruising in the woods they are probably after cock. Here are two found in the woods:

With plenty of work done refreshments are always appreciated. Especially when there are home-cooked delights!

More rubbish, including lots of sexual debris, still to be collected so on we went.

Those of a nervous disposition should beware. It might have seemed like a scene from Chainsaw Masacre. In fact it was a friendly OWL ensuring that brambles, nettles and gorse along the paths is trimmed back. No one wants scratches or stings on their sensitive parts.

Our OWL volunteers had covered a lot of ground on this litterpick. Including clearing up two areas of flytipping; one lot seemed to be kitchen items and the other was bedroom items (but not THAT sort of bedroom item)!

The total bag-count for todays session was the equivalent of 32 standard sized rubbish sacks. Adding 39 collected over the last month by our ‘solo’ litterpickers gives a monthly total of 71 sacks. At least much of it heads off for re-cycling.

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.