Litter Picking Session
The Ways
Saturday, 7th November 2026
It was a dull, damp morning, and a fine mist prevented us from seeing too far ahead as we gathered for Saturday’s Litter Picking Session at the junction of Rochester Way and Welling Way. Our hardy pickers were not put off one bit, and we had a wonderful turnout of 21 people. Towards the end of the session, the sky began to brighten, the sun picked out the different colours in the canopy and leaves crunched beneath our feet as we moved through the area. It turned into a lovely autumn day.
The police had cordoned off Falconwood Field in its entirety but, having been assured that we could go ahead with our litter pick, we split into three groups to concentrate on the surrounding areas. There is always plenty of rubbish to collect here without venturing anywhere near the cordon!
We had time to carry out a thorough clean-up of the ditches running parallel with the roads, where much of the rubbish becomes trapped. Having a smaller area to cover meant we could take our time and give extra attention to these spots. Some of the ditches are quite deep and hidden beneath brambles, creating potential trip hazards, so care was needed.
Amongst the leaves (and rubbish), we occasionally came across some beautiful fungi and were able to take a moment to appreciate these beauties of autumn.
A selection of fungi spotted on our pick, including the Common Puffball and Trooping Funnel.
Another team ventured deep into the woods alongside Shooter’s Hill Road, where they found an almost unimaginable number of bags of dog waste that had been thrown into the undergrowth. We had a determined team on the job! And they too, managed to spot some beautiful fungi.
Our third group had time to explore the scrub and shrubbery at the bottom of Oxleas Meadow, collecting more litter and recovering a few of the plastic guards originally put in place around newly planted shrubs and saplings as well as s.
So, what did we collect?
30 sacks of general litter
3 sacks of shattered windscreen glass
A large delivery box, together with an empty clothes protector and hanger
Several car trims
5 gas canisters and a handful of empty vapes
The main parts of a very old, rusty lawnmower – motor and handles
A wooden pallet
A metal stool
Parts of a wooden cot – just one side, and a mattress. (Where are the other parts?)
Empty firework boxes and tubes
An old tent, minus its poles
And, finally, pumpkins – some carved, some untouched.
All in all, a very successful litter pick on what turned out to be a beautiful, sunny autumn day. We will be back soon!
Thanks to everybody who came to help protect the woodlands.
