Litter Picking

Saturday, 28th June 2025

Yet another hot, sticky June day for our Litter Picking Session.  Although it was a small turnout of six volunteers for this month’s session, we were able to work in one large team which offered us more opportunities for a chat!

Chatting as we pick is our way of working and, during our leisurely stroll through the woodland surrounding Oxleas Wood Car Park, we managed, as usual, to collect a large amount of general litter (coffee cups, drinks bottles, tissues etc.).  In addition, we found five of those huge gas cannisters, some of which were not fully empty.  When we find the cannisters, we are instructed to leave them beside, rather than inside, the bins so they can be separated from general waste.  As we understand it, the gas cannisters have been known to cause explosions in dustbin lorries and at the rubbish facilities.  Safety first is very important to us.

Our most outstanding pick this session, was a large grey carpet big enough to fit a sitting room, which was found deep amongst the cherry laurel shrubs.  After cutting and tearing it into several sections, bagging some bits and rolling/folding the larger lengths, it was dragged by volunteers through the wood, over the extension car park, and finally into the main car park to the rubbish collection point! Phew!!

You can’t help wondering who takes it into the woods to start with, when they take it, and how much effort did it take them? 

Certainly not as much effort as it takes us to remove it when it has become damp, partially buried and has plants beginning to grow through it!

We will continue working hard to keep the woods clear of rubbish and to protect the wildlife.

How on earth do these things get into the middle of the woods?