Category Archives: Pix and Picks

A bumper litterpick with eight OWLs  ready to get into the woods and clean up the litter – making the place better for all users.

Luckily it was a pleasant, sunny, day and the ground conditions weren’t bad considering the recent rain.

Off our volunteers went, visiting and emptying our black sacks in ‘hot spots’. Somewhat annoyingly having to pick up sexual debris from the ground and the bushes that hadn’t made its way into the sacks (why do guys chuck stuff away when it’s often easier to put it in a black sack?). And, of course, using the opportunity to pick up all other litter enroute.

Our volunteers weren’t alone!

The young fox that sometimes scares cruisers at night when it strolls confidently past decided it might like to join in!

With much work done it was time for the mid-session break. Always appreciated and today with extra goodies added to the menu.

Onwards to do more, ensuring that the cruising areas are about as clear of litter as they’ve ever been.

A bit of a ‘gleaners’ theme to things today. Fungi were sprouting everywhere like magic. Who doesn’t like a mushroom head?! (btw – we know these are not mushrooms and should not be eaten).

It was reported that there were some sightings of things that were plump and juicy! And so were these blackberries.

The whole area having been given a brilliant, comprehensive, clean up it was time to get back to base and put the filled sacks beside the road ready for collection.

Another excellent amount of work done by our OWL volunteers and another impressive haul. The equivalent of 21 of our standard-sized sacks. With another 32 having been collected by our solo litterpickers that’s a total of 53 this last 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.

Great to have three OWLs returning after a while away, meaning that we had seven volunteers in total for today’s litterpick. All experienced litterpickers. All skilled and knowledgeable.

With a plan of how we would approach things we set off in various directions.

Visiting the various hot spots where action takes place, emptying rubbish sacks and picking up the used condoms, condom foils, lube sachets and many, many tissues.

Funny the things you find in the woods!

An impressive amount of rubbish collected on the first sweep which covered much of the cruising area. Time to get back to base for a break and some refreshments. Jammy Dodgers and fresh coffee included.

Then back to work and on to areas we sometimes don’t manage to get to.

Those areas dealt with it was time to meet up again.

And head back to base to tie and count the sacks and put them beside the road for collection.

We reckon that we collected the equivalent of 30 of our usual-size sacks today (30 s.b.e for those who understand the jargon!). Our solo litterpickers had collected 39 sacks-full in the last month, giving a total of 69 standard-size sacks of rubbish. What a haul!

We are used to inconsiderate litterers. Nevertheless it’s annoying when litter is chucked on the ground when it would be easier to put it in a rubbish sack. Guys could help us so much if they:

• Took their litter away with them.
• Put litter in sacks rather than chucking it on the ground or in the bushes.
• Crushed cans and plastic bottles so they take up much less room.

Just saying…..!

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)

Eight OWLs at today’s work party, including  friendly new volunteer, off-duty Policeman Sam who took to litterpicking as though he had been doing it all of his life. And who is supportive of the gay community and totally cool about cruising. A lovely guy and we hope he’ll be litterpicking with us again soon.’

With such a great number of OWLs in the woods we were able to cover a lot of territory.

And not just litterpicking – one of our number got his tool out and made good use of it, opening up the paths for easier cruising.

Starting off in two groups, but then dispersing, we made our ways as usual through the cruising area, clearing up all the litter we could find and emptying our various black sacks which we’ve conveniently attached to trees in the hot spots.

Surely this is taking clearing up just a little bit too seriously……..?

Plenty of full sacks were brought back to base part-way through the session, just in time for us to enjoy some refreshments.

Then on for more, with our OWLs seeking out territory that might not have been visited for a while.

Finally back to base and the placing of the sacks at the side of theroad ready for collection.

We reckon that’s the equivalent of 33 of our ‘regular’ sacks. Add on the equivalent of 44 sacks collected by our lovely ‘solo’ litterpickers and that makes 77 sacks-worth of litter this last month. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

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)

Four OWLs took part in today’s litterpick.

We set off with our usual determination to rid the cruising ground of all litter. Especially ‘sexual debris’ litter such as condoms, condom wrappers, lube sachets and tissues. These can be offensive to others and become the cause of complaints.

It’s always irritating when rubbish sacks and bins are available and litter is chucked on the ground near, but not in, a sack or bin. But in this case we know that the area around the bin was clear of litter late last night and suspect that a fox has been helping itself to the food in the bin

Not sure if these are in memory of someone or they are an attempt to claim someone’s heart. Nice flowers though. The buds not even open yet. We are wondering what £7-worth of flowers might lead to.

You get all sorts cruising in the woods. Anyone into Brits who are bears?!

Our volunteer litterpickers made good progress.

Until eventually it was time for the welcome refreshments.

Then a bit more litterpicking for two of our volunteers. With this amount of turmeric, part of the contents of a broken jar, it looks like someone wanted to spice up their sex life!

Lost a Front Door key while you were in the woods? We’ve got it. Contact us and as long as you can prove it’s yours we’ll get it back to you.

Another excellent morning of litterpicking. Here’s our haul.

We reckon we collected the equivalent of 21 of our usual-size sacks of rubbish today. Add on the 9 we collected last Tuesday and the 20 collected by our lovely ‘solo’ litterpickers and that’s a total of 50 sacks of rubbish. Impressive! (but did it need to be there in the first place…………..?).

Because our rubbish sack in one of the most popular areas was getting filled too quickly for us to keep up with emptying it, some years ago we bought a litter bin that had a larger capacity. We still weren’t able to keep up with demand but that’s a different story.

Having done many years of valuable service and seen a wide range of items deposited in it, the conditions had taken their toll and the bin was collapsing.

A new bin was needed! Although we get provided with rubbish sacks by our good friends the Epping Forest wardens, all other costs are borne by ourselves, the OWLs. So, several of us pitched in and we bought a new bin.

Today was binstallation day! Removal of the old bin (which only required a bit of stamping on to fit into a rubbish sack!) and the tying of the new one to the tree, hopefully so that it stays there,

Only a few minutes and the new bin was installed. Binstallation complete!

As much as OWLs like to cruise the woods as much as anyone else, today’s OWLs didn’t want to miss the opportunity to pick up some of the litter so the ensuing time was spent litterpicking.

Before then meeting back at the car park for a chat and some refreshments.

And the tying of the bags and placing them ready for collection.

We reckon that we collected the equivalent of 9 of our standard size rubbish sacks.

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)

A good day for litterpicking – the weather was perfect. Some of our volunteer OWLs must have been sunbathing as there were just three OWLs for this litterpick.

Into the woods to collect the range of litter we OWLs are used to collecting at our litterpicks. Bottles and cans, food containers, and the usual range of sexual debris – condoms, condom foils, lube sachets, tissues and wipes. Lots of wipes. How ironic that so many were collected on the day that the ban on wipes containing plastic was announced.

First half over it was time to return to base for refreshments, along with a couple of welcome visitors. What a selection! Sausage rolls, Hot Cross Buns, chocolate biscuits, gold chocolate bunnies and hot drinks! The OWLs know how to cater!!!

Then back to the woods for more. And then the final sealing of the bags and putting them at the roadside ready for collection.

The final tally – the equivalent of 17 regular sacks today. And with 14 sacks collected by our Solo OWLs a total of 31 sacks of litter for the last month.

(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)

There were four trusty OWLs involved in today’s litterpick, working in two teams of two. As usual, there had been plenty of action in the woods and plenty of sexual debris to provr it. And there seemed to be more take-away food packaging than usual, especially in the popular hang-about areas.

Despite the ‘Yellow Alert’ weather warning for snow, the weather was not at all bad – a bit chilly but there were a few minutes of sunshine and it stayed dry. One of the effects of wet weather overnight is how much heavier litter sacks are when containing wet tissues – which were around in abundance.

As usual our volunteers worked their ways through the woods collecting anything and everything that can cause offence or which makes the place less ‘natural’ than many would like it to be.

The refreshments were plentiful – a pity there weren’t more volunteers present to enjoy them!

For today’s litterpick a total equivalent to 17 normal sacks were collected which along with 11 collected by our trusty solo litterpickers gives a total of 28 sacks this month.

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)

It was great to welcome two new volunteers to the OWL litterpick today. Especially as several of our regular OWLs, for understandable reasons, couldn’t get along.

First the intros and the important Health and Safety considerations. Then off to pick up the rubbish in the woods.

Chewing your balls this much probably requires hospital treatment and although there’s one nearby there’s a nurses’ strike today.

No time for chewing their balls, our volunteers were there to remove the various items of litter that get scattered around. Condoms and condom sachets; lube sachets; tissues and wipes.

Clearly some cruisers like to ensure their oral action is undertaken with care.

Although it’s not the busiest of times in the woods there is still some activity occurring and full sacks were brought back to base.

Then time for refreshments, a friendly chat and a friendly wave.

And back to more litterpicking and more emptying of the black sacks we leave in the various hot spots (PLEASE use them – it’s often easier to chuck rubbish in a sack than to throw it carelessly in the bushes)

Finally, the sealing of the bags.

And the sacks left ready for collection tomorrow morning.

Another good result. The equivalent of 17 sacks of rubbish collected today, plus a further 16 collected by our brilliant Solo OWLs, giving a total for this month of 35 sacks of rubbish. And two new OWLs with better knowledge of the cruising area – which we hope they will put to good use!

(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)

Our first OWL Litterpick of 2023 (by the way, OWL stands for OUT With Litter!).

Only the two OWL volunteers today – work commitments and illness had meant others couldn’t attend.

Not the best day to be litterpicking due to the rain. But it could have been worse and in any case, if we say there will be a litterpick on a particular day then we’ll be there, rain or shine!

There’s often a ‘theme’ that runs through the litter we collect. Today’s was ‘coffee cups’. Loads of them. Ronald and his friends must have been doing really well over the Festive Season.

Despite there being only two of us, we are experienced litterpickers, know what to do and where to go.

So, despite the rain we just got on with it (the way you do!). Damp tissues made our sacks much heavier than usual (and heavy sacks need to be unloaded regularly!). Working efficiently meant that we managed to cover the entirety of the woods – emptying sacks stapled to trees, the bin and litter chucked on the ground and in the bushes – before stopping for our refreshment break.

After which it was just a matter of tying the sacks up and putting them by the road for collection by our friends the Forest Wardens.

Just three sacksful collected today.

But our solo litterpickers have been out and about since our December litterpick (thanx!), meaning that in the last month a total of SIXTEEN sacksful of litter have been collected.

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)

Our Annual Festive Litterpick.

With eight willing volunteers taking part we could make quick work of litterpicking .

Two teams set off to deal with the areas of the woods either side of the car park.

Soon, OWL volunteers were to be seen in various parts of the woods.

Some more festive than others

Some proud of what they had collected.

And some just proud of who they are!

We’d made such quick work that it was soon time for our Festive Refreshments – including mulled wine and mince pies.

Best wishes for the Festive Season from the OWLs!

Another good clearance of all litter in the cruising areas. Twelve sacks today.

 Which added to the twenty four sacks collected by several OWLs working solo at other times, gives a total since the last litterpick of THIRTY SIX sacks.

Merry Christmas!

(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)