RIPPONDEN - Krumlin

Charlie and Jak worked on the footpath at Wood Head, clearing it prior to summer growth. It’s a delightful path leading down a pretty clough to Black Brook.

After clearing

After clearing

Wadsworth - Crimsworth Dean

The footpath known as Wadsworth 036 starts from Wheat Ing and runs south along Crimsworth Dean towards Pecket Well. Today in the sunshine it was looking particularly good with owl, heron, curlew, and chiffchaff to be seen or heard. A team of four: Andrew, Frank S, Guy, and Steve were working to improve the path and make it easier for walkers. This included a new marker post half-way down the drive to Wheat Ing, lots of drainage work to clear the water off the flooded causey stones, cutting back of conifers and holly, and adding staples to a boardwalk to give walkers a better grip.

This work was funded by Wadsworth Parish Council. Thank you for your support.

Thanks also to Wheat Ing for allowing us to park in your driveway.

The causey stones - over-grown and under water

Causey stones now clearer and nearly dry!

Cutting back conifers that were obstructing the path

The boardwalk with staples and newly cleared stone steps.

Stone steps past a little waterfall, now cleared of obstructions

COLDEN: Edge Lane - neatest gate in town?

 Edge Lane gate

In idyllic conditions, Frank H and Andy, embarked on the task of installing a pedestrian gate at a narrow, stone, squeeze-gap on the footpath (Heptonstall 035) that leads off Edge Lane some 75 m beyond May's Shop! (see Map ).

1. Map: The yellow dot marks the worksite

Today's work on the gate was funded by the landowner. Many thanks.

The Detail.

Access from Edge Lane to the path that goes north-east below Hot Stones Delph, is through a much mortared stone squeeze-gap. (see Photo 2)

2. At the start: It's a gap . . . and it's a squeeze!

Temporarily, the gap was being made sheep-proof by two plastic barriers that were so substantial that they gave the impression that the path was blocked off! CROWS pondered several alternative solutions including a stile in the gap and a stile (with side-rails) on the approach to the gap before settling on the best option of a pedestrian gate.

Fortunately, on testing the ground, a suitable point was found (just) where the hinge-post could be embedded to the required depth. The work begins . . . 

3. Hole digging: - 750 mm minimum, Andy!

4. Later: Hinge-post in place, gate attached and 
closure spring torsioned to give a neat fit.

5. Even later: closure loop in place and side-rails
attached to deter those pesky woolly jumpers!

Overall, once we had fine-tuned plan A, the task was relatively straightforward and we had enough time to check on two stiles further along Edge Lane as well as giving some thought to a section of fencework on Hot Lane - this latter item may be tackled in a week or two . . . especially if the weather is a repeat of today's warm, sunny, blue-skied offering!

CRAGG VALE - Will Clough & Himalayan Balsam

The path up Will Clough is a lovely old route from Turvin Road to Craggies Farm Shop. It had become overgrown and some of the path edging was going.  Stella, Ginny and Rich cleared the steps, removed some of the tree branches, widened the path and cut back encroaching vegetation and put in some revetment to secure the path edge. Today's work was funded by Yorkshire Veterans Athletic Association who run an annual Cragg Vale event - many thanks.

We were anxious to do this work now as Himalayan Balsam has just started to appear and clearing it now should at least check its growth. If you want to know what how to tackle a patch of balsam near you, check out our guide on our website - crows-coop.co.uk/balsam/

 

 The details

The first job was to cut back and clear the concrete steps

 Moving on, the path edge had crumbled leaving a disguised long drop into the stream. A length of revetment was put in and the path was widened. 

Onward and upwards, the encroaching brambles and heather was all cut back making the narrow path much wider. 

The next section presented three problems, large rocks on the path that needed removing, a sea of Himalayan balsam just showing themselves that needed scraping off and several willow trees that were weeping over the path requiring walkers to practise limbo dancing!

 Using bow saws, loppers and shears we managed to cut back the trees opening up the path. 

 The path all cleared, the balsam scraped, we will need to return to check the balsam growth (and maybe have time to visit Craggies).

TODMORDEN - New PRoW off Pudsey Rd Cornholme

 Cornholme: teetering on the edge!

A new Right of Way has recently been added to the Definitive Map. This path (Todmorden 216) runs from Pudsey Road, in Cornholme, up towards Obadiah Wood and from there along the field edge towards to a covered reservoir on Shore New Road/Pudding Lane. (see Map)

1. Map: Todmorden 216: a new path on the Definitive Map.

A team of seven (Mick, Frank H, Gareth, David, Neil Mc, Catherine and Kasher) was working to improve this narrow path which in places slopes precipitously towards the railway line. This is a route that, in poor conditions, can only be negotiated with great care! Today, thankfully, it was dry underfoot.

Most of the day was pleasant and sunny, but just as we were getting warmed up and shedding the top layers of clothing we were treated to a burst of hailstones - a reminder that it was still only March.

Today's jobs were to make a start on widening and levelling the path, and installing revetment to reinforce any sections with weak edges. This is an extended project and we will be returning to carry out similar work as well as constructing steps and eventually waymarking the route.

Many thanks to the resident on Pudsey Road who has kindly allowed use of his yard for timber storage and to CALVAG who assisted CROWS with a prompt delivery of timber.

This work has been funded by Active Calderdale. Many thanks.

2. Start of the day. Catherine with timber and tools. The 
path is narrow and falls away steeply on the RHS.

3. The carry. Frank H in action . . . a long way up hill!

4. The work. Neil Mc, Catherine and Frank H
 installing the first two sections of revetment.

5. The expert. Mick cutting back and widening
the new path. He is standing (teetering?) on
the edge of what was the old pathway.

6. Synchronicity?  More revetment in place.
David and Gareth widening and levelling.

7. The new path advances. Edge being prepared 
for the next section of revetment.

8. Just the drill. Neil Mc anchoring revetment to
stob. The banking to the left has been cut back
and levelled to create a brand-new path.

9 Final touches. Revetment installed and Frank H
cutting back the bank to widen the pathway.
Originally there was virtually no path here!

10. The long view. A sample of what we hope to
achieve! One section of path reinforced
and widened . . . there's a lot more to do!

11. Pass the 'parcel'? Tools back to Pudsey Road. The chain
gang in action  . . . and not a leg-iron in sight!

12. Puzzle. Neil Mc posing for today's Caption Competition.
Entries on a blank cheque to CROWS' treasurer. Mmm!