The very first things I ever found when litter picking in the New Forest National Park were these cut-glass jam pots found in a box that had been left in a rural car park. If they belong to you, and you’d like them back, please let me know.
These days, it is quite common to find discarded camping equipment in wilderness areas. Most items are brand new. I washed these green equipment bags (below) and sent them to an appropriate charity.
All litter pickers report back on finding glasses, usually abandoned near pubs. I must have rescued six or seven. Children’s toys are often left on the beach, but I leave them somewhere where the owners can pick them up or other children can enjoy them.
This silver broach lying in a stollen jewelry box was collected by the police. I also found a lost silver bracelet that I took to our local Police Station.
I have been making a collection of fishing equipment, which presumably could be re-used. Although this lure had lost its hooks, I have four or five like it. Our children were most thrilled when I found a plastic shark.
I am yet to wear them, but these sunglasses were perfectly serviceable after being put through the dish-washer. I have added them to local Lost and Found post on Facebook but have had no takers. Other lost items have been gratefully re-claimed, from a lens caps to expensive trailer parts, and temporary road signs abandoned by contractors.
I found this open penknife on the verge of a road where nobody walks, which was strange. I still wonder if it was flung out of a car window. It’s in my toolbox with a serviceable paintbrush and an expensive project torch I came across later.
While not exactly beautiful this tow-hitch guard was just what a friend of mine needed and made an amusing hostess gift. I found it walking along the pavement on my way to Book Club.
For a list of weird things I’ve found, please click here
Think of joining the charity Keep Britain Tidy today. You can find more about how they can help here.
Having posted this blog on their site, members replied saying the most beautiful thing they had found litter picking was friendship – new friendships made, old friends litter picking together and fulfillment in forming groups.
Sophie Neville 
Another incredible selections of items just ‘discarded’! Unbelievable! I do hope the owner of the jewellery gets it (or got it) back.
So do I. The police only keep it for a while. I once found a silver bracelet that I handed in, but that obviously been dropped, rather than stolen. I don’t know if anyone else has found jewelry.
It is heart-breaking to think that someone’s precious belongings such as these have been first stolen and then just thrown away.
I found about eight different lots chucked in the river – iPhones, laptops, empty jewellery boxes, make-up bags, a handbag with no wallet. Because the items get wet, there is no DNA for the police to follow-up. Keep a look out when you next walk along a river back by a lane.
Thank you for the tip; I will.
I’m glad I registered with Keep Britain Tidy. It gives you a job title if you do come across stolen items or anything of value.
Thank you again, Sophie. That’s something I might think about doing. I will look into it.