Ryburn - Stile next to Ash Hall Lane

On what felt like the beginning of Summer, Graham, Jerry and Angus set about refurbishing a stile next to Ash Hall Lane, not far from the Calderdale Way. This stile gives access to the grazing pasture below New Farm and a further stile, then joins the path at Water Green Lane. 

This work has been made possible by several kind donations to CROWS. Many thanks to all who have contributed.

The blue circle shows the location of the stile being worked on.

The stile as it was when we arrived. 

On first inspection, the stile looked to be in reasonable condition, but as we removed vegetation and loose cross-rails it became apparent that there was a significant drop on the field side, and very little treadboard on which to gain a safe footing. The other issue was the waymark post which, although providing good hand support, had the flag aligned somewhat hazardously at head level!

We set about removing the old cross-rails then checked the stile supports and waymark post for any signs of rot (especially at ground level). Good news, the stile supports were firm and in good order. Bad news, the waymark post had started to rot, and the flag was mostly illegible - we are still trying to work out what it says!

Graham starts to remove the waymark post. There may be trouble ahead!

The waymark post was well embedded but the rot and its position suggested that it should be replaced and relocated. Excavation was going well until we discovered it was concreted in place with three large nails as 'deadmen'! After much heaving and grunting, we eventually extracted it . . . time for coffee!

Post removed. Time for a coffee and a discussion as to best option.

We decided to fit an extra, lower step on the field side and make use of the old post hole for the step-leg. We reused a redundant fence post to support the existing strainer-post and were then able re-fix the cross rails. In doing so, we could re-cycle sound material from the old stile and reduce the quantity of new timbers . . . and the overall cost.

View from above showing the existing treadboard and the new field-side step.

The finished job . .  . well almost . .  . we will make a new waymark post and relocate it. 

There is another stile requiring attention at the bottom of the field which we will attend to next week. We didn't have sufficient materials to complete this today, and didn't want to compromise the security of the field for the grazing stock. We'll organise a new waymark post and position it more sensibly!

TODMORDEN - Todmorden Edge / Ewood Wood

 On a glorious day, Neil Mc and Gareth spent the morning improving the footpath where the Calderdale Way leaves Ewood onto Todmorden Edge.  The path had partly collapsed into the adjacent stream and had become dangerously narrow (particularly awkward for a forthcoming fell race!).

The original intention was to install a revetment (planked banking) to shore up the side of the path as well as to widen it by cutting into the bank on its other side.  Unfortunately, the stream bed proved to be solid rock, impenetrable even to the big bar and heavy hammer, so it was impossible to install the supporting posts for the revetment.  It’s not always possible to proceed exactly as planned!  

We were, however, able to widen the path by a couple of feet, as well as shoring the stream side with rocks in order to delay further deterioration.

Our thanks to the individual donors to CROWS who have financed today’s work, as well as to John who not only gave us easier access to the path and helped carry the timbers/tools but also reappeared later with some snacks!

Today’s work location

The before photo

Gareth discovers there’s no way in for revetment posts

The path after widening

A new local resident

TODMORDEN - Tod Edge and Ashes Lane

 There were two teams out from Todmorden today:

Team 1: Gareth and Neil Mc were working in Ewood Wood on right-of-way Tod 080 which forms part of the Calderdale Way. The tasks were to widen the footpath and to shore up the stream side (See separate Blog). We will return to work on more of the footpath, cut back the Rhododendron and install some revetment further down the hillside.

Team 2: It was a return visit to Ashes Lane (Tod BW 022) for Andrew, Catherine and Kasher to complete the steps on this short section of the Calderdale Way (on Tod 017); to cut back the overgrowing vegetation; to add staples to stile treadboards; and to clear more of the turn-bys. 

We will return to Ashes Lane in the next few weeks to cut back some of the bilberries and heather and to re-inspect the drainage issues.  A local resident (thanks, Jim) has said that he would help by resetting some of the slightly out-of-line turn-by stones.

Many thanks to residents at Lower Winsley Farm and Millers Lodge for allowing the teams to park on their land. A reduced carrying distance for timber and tools is always welcome.

Today's work has been funded by very generous individual donations to CROWS. Thank you for helping to keep our footpaths and bridleways open in this delightful walking area.

The blue "pin" shows the location of the Calderdale Way crossing Ashes Lane (Team 2)

Today's work site for Team 1, the entrance to Ewood Wood.

Team 2:

Andrew starting on the second flight of steps.

Catherine sorting out staples on the stile 
treadboards . . . with 'The Pike' in the background!

Andrew continuing his single handed challenge of
step replacement.

The completed flight (towards Tod).

The completed flight (away from Tod).

Catherine clearing out one of the turn-bys.

Catherine, and another cleared turn-by.

Well the water has to go somewhere!

Cutting back overhanging branches on this BW.

Trying out the new pruning saw.

Andrew and a sheltered, sunny spot for lunch.

Ryburn - Meg Dyke

After several months of painstaking work by Eleanor Green, we have at last managed to erect the information boards for this historic site at Krumlin. Eleanor had to liaise with several bodies from "Culturedale", who funded the boards, the landowner, Natural England and Historic England as well research around the site itself. Meg Dyke is a late prehistoric settlement, of which more details can be found on this link - https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1018813

Map showing the location of Meg Dyke. The blue crosses are the information boards.

Once permission on the wording had been approved by all the relevant bodies, the information boards were produced and fixed to sturdy frames manufactured by Calderdale Council's carpentry volunteers who are based at Cromwell Bottom. A big 'thankyou' to them for making these. 

Jak, Jerry and Angus then excavated the necessary holes to site these boards. It was was hard going in some extremely resistant, rocky ground.

Jerry tackling the rocky subsoil - not the easiest extraction.

You can see how much rock we extracted in this image.

Our work didn't go unnoticed!

Once we'd dug down 0.6 m, the board frame legs were placed in the holes and levelled. We had (reluntantly) brought 'Post Crete' to fix the legs in place. Fortunately this wasn't required as we had an abundance of excavated stone to ensure firm packing.

The first board on the corner of Scammonden Road, with Meg Dyke in the background.

The second board, just off Saddleworth Road with Meg Dyke in the background.

A reminder to dog walkers, that dogs are prohibited from entering this section of the field.

  

Well done team! It took a while, but we got there.

CORNHOLME - Obadiah Woods

 A team of three (Duncan, Kasher and Peter) spent a pleasurable morning in Obadiah Wood in Cornholme installing a small bench just off Tod 060. This bench was made by the depot team and is similar to the one installed a few months ago on the new definitive RoW off Pudsey Road.

Unfortunately, we drew the short straw as we had to position this bench is a very stony woodland, so it was not easy to dig the holes for the legs. We were, however, accompanied by the delightful sounds of woodland birds and surrounded by bluebells . . . Spring has really sprung! We also had the pleasure of the company of many walkers/dog walkers who were using this path. Many thanks for the generous donation to CROWS from one of today's visitors. It's much appreciated.

After installing the bench and clearing out the stream under the nearby boardwalk, recently installed by CROWS,  we moved to look at the state of Tod 065 to see if we could improve a small section of it. This path goes from Parkside Road up towards Brown Birks. After contacting the landowner we will come back to see if it may be possible to install a few small steps to make this section of the hillside easier to navigate.

Many thanks to the landowner of Obadiah Woods who has allowed us to install the bench.

Thanks too to Active Calderdale for funding today's work.

The blue "pin" marks the site of the new small bench.

A small woodland clearing . . . in need of a small bench.

Peter and Duncan starting to dig the holes for the legs.

Measuring up but still a way to go!

Bench in position and levelled up.

The bench now in place and level.

Testing! Testing! Duncan and Peter on the new bench.

Clearing out the small stream under the nearby boardwalk.

We will return to see if we can install some
steps on this section of  the hillside.