Category Archives: Pix and Picks

OWL’s Christmas Special Litterpick. This year attended by just the three original OWLs! Plus a friendly Masters student who had come to find out what we were all about. Great to meet her and good to get some lovely positive, objective, feedback both about OWL and about our website. She seemed to enjoy being with us and we appreciated her help.

The Safety Briefing first and then off on our well-rehearsed route through the cruising ground, picking up litter on our way to the various Hot Spots and the rubbish sacks we’ve left there to make it easy for guys to dispose of their sexual debris considerately.

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

Nothing like as much litter as we are used to, thankfully. Maybe because there’s a new Epping Forest warden who is litter-picking in that area and certainly because the weather has reduced the amount of activity taking place (but don’t let that put you off – there are plenty of guys still visiting, both daytime, evening and night till late!). Festive headgear was a must!

Not sure what head-banging action must have shaken these off…!

With a lighter load we were able to return to the car park for some excellent festive refreshments. A selection of warm mince pies, mulled wine, hot drinks. What’s not to like?!

Onward for the second half of the litterpicking session and evidence of the variety of activities and customs that take place deep in the woods!

Some areas were still more littered than others, increasing our sack-count considerably.

One of our lowest hauls ever! Just 9 sacksfull – 6 of rubbish and 3 of recylable bottles and cans (well, whatever else is being swallowed by the guys there it isn’t cold drinks at this time of year!)

Hopefully the owner of this Debit card, found on our walk through the woods, has cancelled it. But if they want it back, or want us to cut it up, they can email us at our usual email address: owlsnaresbrook@gmail.com.

That’s it for the OWLs in 2019. Another successful year. In total an amazing 299 sacks of rubbish collected this year. That’s a lot of offensive litter that won’t be drawing negative comments or getting official complaints from other users of the area. And a benefit to the wildlife too!

(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)

Another great group of guys turned up for this litterpick, committed to cleaning up litter and sexual debris and generally helping to make the environment better for everyone.

Safety briefing over, we were soon on the case, visiting the various ‘hot spots’ where guys go to have their fun.

We think we know all of the hotspots, and are pleased to see that they are well-used. But this wifi hot spot seemed dead! No connection.

It’s good to see that many people are doing the decent thing, being considerate of the environment and of others, and, when they’ve finished their fun, putting their litter in the rubbish sacks we’ve left strategically placed around the various hotspots. And they are easy for us to empty.

Unsurprisingly for this time of year there wasn’t as much litter as there sometimes is, giving us the opportunity to take an early refreshment break.

Then back for more of the same, visiting some of the areas we sometimes don’t have time to go to.

Oops! So easy to lose your keys when you’re concentrating on other things!

Rather conveniently the rain started just as we were finishing. Just time to staple the bags closed and put them by the road for collection.

Another good haul. 14 sacks of general rubbish and 11 of recycling.

Thanks for another great litterpick, guys.

 (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)

Great to have such a talented group of volunteers ready and willing. And they were prepared to pick up litter as well!

Spreading out through the woods we took our usual routes, grabbing litter on the way and visiting the various hot spots.

It’s always good to see that the black sacks we’ve placed strategically around the cruising area are being well used.

It made someone happy!

And good to see that there is now much less litter around than when we started our OWL litterpicking several years ago.

Having covered a large area it was time to head back for a drink, a snack and a bit of a catch-up

Talking of eating, some like a big fat sausage and some prefer something a lot thinner.

But there is no peace for the wicked and it was time to head off for more of the same.

And something a bit different. Apologies to the person’s camp we removed. It looked like you had moved out a long time ago.

Then onward again. There’s always something to be found.

And the final sack-count? Twenty six rubbish sacks.

Thanks to our excellent volunteer litterpickers who make so much difference. And thanks to the increasing number of guys who are disposing of their litter considerately.

 (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 bit extra on the side! The senior OWLs decided to add an extra litterpicking session, before the regular session next Tuesday, 8^th October.

We’d spotted a considerable amount of litter on a previous litterpick in an area that used to be heavily used for cruising many years ago but which we thought had gone out of fashion. Not so it seemed. It was being used, and used well. Possibly a better maze of narrow paths than elsewhere; an opportunity to explore and find just who you are looking for among them; and plenty of places to head to for some more intimate exploration.

With special permission given to gain access to our starting point, along the Lido Road, it was a prompt start, which we needed as the weather forecast was pretty dire.

Making our way round paths that were new to some, and which brought back happy memories of the past to others, our litterpicking soon bore fruit and our sacks started filling.

And it started to rain. Well, actually it chucked it down. But we were prepared and it was possibly more sheltered in the woods than elsewhere.

It was clear to us that this area is still well-used (although we couldn’t make out where people parked to use it; is it a pedestrian facility?)

A break for refreshments and to restock with rubbish sacks.

And then back for more. A few ‘camps’ we found would have taken much of a full litterpick just to clear each of them so we had to leave them.

Nevertheless, we’d had a good session for just three volunteers and managed to collect 18 sacks of mixed rubbish which we could leave, by previous agreement, for collection by our good friends working for the City of London, Epping Forest.Another successful session.

 (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)

One of our regular ‘second Tuesday of the month’ litterpicking sessions, and with six keen volunteers we were able to make a huge impact on the amount of litter that still gets chucked away in the cruising area.

We worked alone, we worked in pairs, and we worked in groups.

And made good progress along the usual routes, collecting litter on the way, emptying rubbish sacks in the hot spots and clearing up the sexual debris that some guys still throw away.

It’s difficult to understand why, when there’s a rubbish sack so close, why some guys still chose to throw stuff on the ground. Maybe they are into dirty sex?!

It’s interesting what we find in the areas where guys have sex. Maybe someone likes sauce on their sausage?!

And it looks like someone is arriving having just got a prescription for their condoms, or at least bought them at a pharmacy. (Do people still do that?!)

Another area which would be much better if it wasn’t strewn with litter and sexual debris.

Our task is to clear up the litter and that’s what we do – whether or not we agree with throwing it away rather than being considerate and putting it in a rubbish sack or bin.

Having spent plenty long enough picking up litter it was time to head back to base and grab some refreshments.

Then off for more and another session where our groups ranged far and wide.

And then back to staple bags closed and take them to the road to be picked up. Another stunning amount of litter collected – 36 bags!

However, the fun wasn’t over! We’d noticed a smouldering fire deep in the woods and it had got such a grip on the surrounding soil that our efforts to stop the smouldering spreading were to no avail.

Only one thing for it – call the Fire Brigade. They didn’t take long to arrive and the eye candy was certainly worth waiting for! However, despite the hopes we had they didn’t get out their big red hoses.

Not only a very productive litterpicking session, but something of a happy ending!!

 (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)

We knew that the woods would be busy over a Bank Holiday weekend, so we had already planned an extra litter-picking session in addition to our ‘second Tuesday of the month’ sessions. And when the weather turned out the way it did we knew guys would be tempted to strip down to the bare minimum and head to the woods to cruise both day and night. And that meant that there would be plenty of litter. ‘Straight’ litter like plastic and glass bottles and cans, and ‘gay’ litter like condoms, condom foils, lube sachets and wipes.

Just two of us today. But as there seem to be other helpers, assisting us by undertaking their own litterpicking (thanks guys!) many, but not all, of the hotspots were fairly clean. The rubbish sacks in them were pretty full in many cases – proving to us that leaving them in strategic places really does work.

This is the way we like to find our rubbish sacks; full to the brim, and with no litter around them.

Despite having only two volunteers involved we managed to cover all of the areas we routinely visit. Having skilled and experienced guys doing the work makes it quick and easy.

Another of the OWL sacks – this one on The Mound. Appropriately used and nothing on the ground around it.

Time for a break – lugging all those sacks back to base was a challenge – then off for more. And after the counting of the sacks and the apparent end of the session, one of our team headed off to deal with even more litter.

So another impressive sack-count for a team of two people – 12 sacks of recycling and 13 of general rubbish.

Our next OWL Litterpick is on Tuesday, 10^th September. All are welcome to join us.

 (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)

Another opportunity for guys who visit the area of the woods, for whatever reason, to join in an OWL litterpick and help make the area acceptable for everyone. There is a range of users of the area – from families to cruisers, cyclists, walkers, joggers, dog walkers – and all have the right to be there.

It might be expected that, with a bin at the side of the car park it wouldn’t be difficult to use it. Many do. But some don’t…

A few minutes with a litter picker soon sorted that out!

We were six OWLs in total today, the group benefitting from a new member taking part, quickly getting used to the techniques used and, it has to be said, with an admirable attention to detail, spotting litter that might otherwise have been missed.

OWL litterpicks have settled down to a format that seems to work for everyone and means that our efforts are efficient and productive. Ensuring that we have ‘fixed’ rubbish sacks in some of the most-used ‘hot spots’ has led to a pleasing increase in the amount of litter that goes into the sacks and not onto the ground.

Our OWLs cheerfully move through the woods picking up litter on and around the paths and in the various nooks and crannies where guys ‘play’.

Judging by the number of wet wipes in some places a lot of wiping had gone on!

With a piece of drain pipe that big someone must have been well-drained!

A welcome stop for some refreshments, with those present at the time and willing to be in a picture, enjoying their break.

Despite having had to be elsewhere one of our regulars raced to take part in a significant part of the morning’s work.

More of the same after our break. Having been removing sexual debris and other rubbish from the cruising area over several years now, we know that there is much less litter thrown away than there used to be, and more taken away by considerate guys who understand how offensive it can be to others.

Eventually it was time to return to base, staple up the rubbish sacks and leave them at the roadside for collection.

Another good haul. 15 sacks of general rubbish and 12 of recycling.

Thanks again to our hard-working team!

 (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)

Today’s work party was an ‘extra’, planned to deal with what we knew would be additional amounts of general rubbish and sexual debris resulting from increased activity during the better weather.

Just a select three of us – one of our regulars couldn’t make it – but nevertheless, despite the hot sun, good progress was made.

Breaking with tradition, and being strict with ourselves on the way about not being distracted by obvious rubbish, we headed straight to the naked sun bathing area. We always aim to cause the minimum disruption to whatever else is going on and getting there early meant that there would be fewer sunbathers than later on. And that was the case. Whilst there was plenty for us to do nearby, the naked sunbathing area itself is probably the area where there is practically no litter no the ground and its all in the rubbish sack we leave there.

One benefit of an OWL litterpicking session is that sometimes we get to see some nice sights and today at the naked sunbathing section was no exception. Plus, not only was it good to see some lovely naked bodies, our joy was made greater by being thanked for what we were doing. OWL was known about!

As usual there was plenty to do and it wasn’t long before our sacks were full to overflowing.

Just time on the route back to the car park to call by a few other areas that needed attention. We’ve noticed that as time goes by there is usually less litter on the ground in the ‘hotspots’ than we would otherwise expect and more and more litter in the rubbish sacks we’ve left around.

Then a long carry of full sacks back to the car park which, of course, means time for some refreshments; the energy intake being needed for the second part of this litterpicking session.

As usual some swapping of stories and an interest in each other’s lives.

Then off for more, with two heading in one direction – to deal with The Mound and surrounding areas, and one heading off towards Eagle Pond. Both found plenty to do.

And the final bag-count?

Thirteen bags of general rubbish and ten of recyclables. That’s another success.

 (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)

Another opportunity for the OWLs to get busy picking up litter in the woods, making the place better for everyone and reducing the likelihood that other users of the area will complain about what they regard as offensive litter. Some of us might regard a dirty used condom hanging from a tree as normal, others might not.

Interestingly, today a number of passers-by asked if we were volunteers (which of course we are!), thanked us, and said how impressed they were with our efforts – and the amount of rubbish we collected.

The usual start, heading as a team off through the woods, taking in most of the hot spots where horny action takes place. And good to see that so many of the black bags we’ve left in place were being well-used. It’s a bit of a pain emptying some of them, but if used condoms, condom sachets, lube sachets, tissues and wipes end up in them, rather than being discarded in the area around, then we are happy OWLs!

One of the early OWLs put a bin in the middle of the woods to encourage guys to put their litter in it. It’s been well-used by lots of people, especially at weekends when the weather is good. Unfortunately, as it’s not an ‘official’ bin the litter doesn’t get collected from it. A kind Forest Warden used to empty it for us, but he’s now retired. So if we aren’t available to catch up with emptying it, it overflows and the foxes dig into it.

Much better once we’ve visited!

With skilled regulars taking part we can cover a lot of ground pretty quickly, visiting those areas which get most use.

Of course we don’t just confine ourselves to the hotspots, those little dens where guys go to have fun in private. We try to cover the whole area with, at this time of year, drink bottles and cans occupying our time in lots of places.

With about as many full bags as we could carry between us it was soon time to head back to base and enjoy a break, a chat and a catch up.

Then, back for more, and on the way time to do a bit of selective pruning in order to make it easier to get to popular areas.

Someone has been littering the place with green, domestic, Waltham Forest recycling bags. Far too many, so they look more like litter than any litter that gets put inside them. But worse still, hung pathetically from bushes beside the path where they get torn apart by the foxes and the litter gets strewn about. And they don’t get emptied! What’s the point of them? We really don’t get it. Nor do the Epping Forest Wardens who disapprove of them.

There’s never enough time to cover everywhere, but between us we’d had a good crack at it and the bag-count at the end showed how well we’d done! 12 sacks of recyclable rubbish and 18 of general rubbish (much of it being sexual debris).

Another good session in the woods!

 (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)

We win some and we lose some! Today we were winners. Not only did the rain hold off, making litterpicking a lot more bearable, but someone seemed to have visited some of the areas we routinely clear up and made a pretty reasonable job of it. What’s not to like?! (well actually, what we don’t like – and nor do the Epping Forest Wardens – is the random hanging up of green ‘Waltham Forest’ recycling rubbish sacks; they look a mess, there are far too many of them; foxes tear them open; they blow about; they don’t get emptied)!

As usual we set off with enthusiasm and determination along our usual route.

It’s always good to come across areas where rather than chuck litter away on the ground it’s been thrown in the rubbish sacks that have been put there for just that purpose.

The work of others meant that in many places we could just do the final bits of tidying up and move on – making progress much faster. And as usual leaving time for us to study some of the more unusual litter (not featured here, but a giant bottle of mouthwash suggested an adherence to very high standards of oral hygiene!)

The OWLS (OUT With Litter) pride themselves on knowing the majority of the ‘hot spots’ – places most likely to be used for sexual encounters. And, sadly, not all of them are used by people who are considerate in using the rubbish sacks, preferring just to throw their rubbish on the ground. Here’s a ‘before’ and ‘after’

Before

After

With much of the area of the cruising ground covered a welcome break for friendly refreshments.

Then on to more distant parts, ensuring that the majority of ‘hot spots’ had been cleared up and that all of the ‘permanent’ rubbish sacks, left discretely for after-shag use, had been emptied and replaced.

And finally back to base

Time to staple the bags up, to prevent them being emptied before collection, and then the arrangement at the roadside ready for collection by our Epping Forest warden friends.

Then either departure for home, or an opportunity for some quality control (not necessarily of the litterpicking variety…!) or time to do a bit of maintenance on some of the ‘permanent’ bags.

 (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)