From Autumn 2026, Brentwood Climate Action has decided to link our litter picks with the local group of the Essex Wildlife Trust, namely the Brentwood & Billericay Group of the Essex Wildlife Trust and will not be running our own Litter Picks anymore.
They are running them in autumn and winter because, when vegetation has died back, we can more easily get at what has often remained untouched for years.
The location for the first pick is the overgrown green areas adjoining the pathway that leads from the end of Greenshaw and runs parallel with the A12 by-pass. Depending on how many people join in, and the amount of litter we find, we may proceed over Weald Road and a short way into St Faith’s Country Park.
We will meet shortly before 10 am in The Robin pub’s car park (CM15 9EB) and be back there at 12 noon.
Full details of the other litter picks will be confirmed nearer the time, but they will all be no longer than 2 hours, based in country, open and parkland sites rather than on the street, and we will always finish near to a café/ pub for appropriate post activity refreshment.
2026
- Tuesday 20th October – start from Robin pub as above. It was formerly known as the Robin Hood and Little John
- Tuesday 17th November – start from Butterfly Meadow – CM15 9AL opposite St Mary the Virgin church, Hall Lane Shenfield
- Tuesday 15th December – start from Car Park by The Café/Hartswood Pavilion, King George V Playing Fields, CM14 5AB
2027
- Tuesday 19th January – start from The Two Brewers Pub Car Park, Ongar CM5 9HD
- Tuesday 16th February – is a contingency date in case we have to postpone any of the earlier ones because of bad weather
Litter pickers, high viz jackets and collection sacks will be provided. All you need to take part is enthusiasm, strong gloves, robust clothing and footwear – we will have rakes, loppers and secateurs to get through some of the vegetation too.
A full risk assessment will be carried out shortly before each litter pick so that we avoid any major hazards and we will not tackle anything that should be handled by professionals – e.g. by main roads, possible asbestos waste or commercial fly tipping sites.
Filled litter sacks will be left at appropriate spots so that Brentwood Council can collect them as we go along and also when we have finished.
If you would like to take part please contact our litter pick co-ordinator Frank Garbutt – via email fabmgarbutt@gmail.com or his mobile 07817834433 – and let him know you intend to come along.
In some cases litter picking needs to be carried out by professionals as outlined above – but in many green areas around Brentwood we can really help wildlife to flourish, and it is a good opportunity to explore and meet up with like-minded volunteers. Frank will be happy to provide guidance to anyone who would like to help tackle litter around Brentwood but cannot make any of the dates outlined, and potentially we can organise future litter picks in green areas you have identified as needing them.