If you go down to the woods you’ll meet litter pickers!

A group of hardy local folk braved a frosty morning for their first litterpick of the year in Harrison’s Wood and the Cottage Plantation.

The Sprowston Litter Pickers got together to tackle the woods, which are either side of Blue Boar Lane and open to the public.

“Unfortunately that means a small minority leave their litter behind rather than using the litter bins or taking it home,” said town council chairman Bill Couzens, who joined the pickers.

The team was last in the same area back in November, and they gathered up about 20 bags to be picked up by Broadland District Council during the week.

“It’s a surprisingly enjoyable and satisfying way to spend a Sunday morning,” said Bill. “Everyone is so friendly.

“This time around it was a cold and crisp morning and the light through the trees made some magical effects.

“We met several people who were out with their dogs or just enjoying the beautiful morning, too.”

He said that as well as providing a service for the local area, people were keen to have a chat with the litterpickers as they met them on their route.

“One person wanted to talk about an impending house move; another wished they lived closer. A third had just lost their dog and were feeling very lonely. They felt they had to come out anyway, but it was not the same without their dog.”

The Litter Pickers, who started in 2023, usually meet one Sunday a month between 10am and noon at the Cottage Plantation car park.

They welcome new members, and details are published on their Facebook page, Sprowston Litter Pickers, a week beforehand.