TODMORDEN - Various

 A fantastic day to be out! Duncan and Kasher spent the day doing a number of small tasks in the Todmorden area . . .  but unfortunately as soon as we manage to "tick off" the jobs from the to-do list we find others to replace them!

We initially dropped timber at a worksite for one of Friday's work parties.

We then returned to Ashenhust to replant more willow that will assist with natural flood management on the hillside. We had worked in this area a few weeks ago to dig drainage ditches, plant willow cuttings, sort out sand bags etc. Unfortunately the willow in one section of the hillside had been pulled up (and put down the drain!) and the sandbags had been emptied with the sand being put down the drain. The drain had subsequently overflowed and the water had caused problems on the nearby narrow footpath, Tod 029. We do hope that this second attempt will be more successful.

After a drive to above Cornholme we replaced a marker post near Springs on the TCW. This marker post had only been replaced in January 2024 so it was rather annoying to have to replace it again so soon, especially as it was a long way to walk with a post, a bar, a spade, etc etc. Hopefully this new post will last longer.

Many thanks to Dave Halley for providing the willow used today. Thanks too to the walkers who reported today's issues to us. We really do appreciate your help.

Today's work has been funded by donations to CROWS. Many thanks for your assistance in maintaining our RoWs.

Another job to add to the "to do" list: a bridleway
gate near Hartley Royd.

Some of the willow cuttings appear to be starting to 
come into leaf.

More willows were planted in the very wet areas.

The sandbags refilled and replaced.

The rotten marker post to be replaced.

Duncan clearing the hole for the new marker post.

The new marker post in position.

Colden: Edge Lane - Stile

 Colden, Edge Lane - stile

On a gloriously clear, warm (and getting warmer!) Spring day, Ian S and Frank H worked on the right-of-way Heptonstall 025 where it leads up from Lower Fold to cross Edge Lane. At this point (see map) there is a wobbly stile and then the path heads North East before trending East (ish) to pass behind a ruined dam.

1. Position of stile needing extensive work. 

The Detail

2. Stile before work began.

At first glance this seems to be a reasonable structure . . . but closer examination revealed:

i)   All vertical posts (bar one) are totally rotten at ground level.

ii)  Both treadboards are damaged.

iii) The left-hand side-post is ingeniously anchored by a twist of baler twine weighted down by a wall capping stone before being tied to a fence post on the other side of the drystone wall!

iv) The right-hand side-post is held in place by a short batten linking it to the substantial railway-sleeper gate post.

Mmm! Time for a complete re-build. The work begins:

3. Several whacks with a lump hammer, later!

4. Rotten ends - a few examples

5. Progress: New left-hand side-post, re-cycled
right-hand side-post, temporary cross-rail
and a step leg being tested for alignment.

6. End result: View from Edge Lane side.

7. End result: View from field side.

We were pleased with the end result. The stile's width is constrained by wall and gate-post and its access is partly screened by the telegraph pole. However, careful alignment of the steps now makes it much easier to negotiate and new cross-rails are correctly spaced to deter livestock. 

All it needs now is a load test  . .  .

8. Testing, testing: . . . but don't step over, Ian,
until we've moved the drill!

Some of this work was heavy going. The original posts and legs were not all installed deeply enough, so we had to batter holes into rocky, resistant ground to improve hole depth - sweat flowed freely and layer after layer of  clothing was shed! However, the sky was blue, the views extensive and much appreciation was expressed by numerous cyclists, runners, walkers and local residents who passed along the lane.

The work was funded by a donation from The 'Moors the Merrier Fell Race' (Cragg Runners). Many thanks for your support.

PENNINE WAY

Pennine Way path:

 Several issues were identified in last year's survey. Today, a team of five - Guy, Andy, Paul, Jan and Rich - went to deal with a few drainage problems and carry out some waymarking. This work was funded by a partnership between Natural England and Calderdale Highways. 

The session started with a long carry of tools and materials from Withens Clough to the work sites - luckily with glorious blue sky and sunshine. 

 The first problem was water and mulch crossing the path (even after this spell of dry weather).

 As well as scraping off the path, we tried to tackle the source of the problem by directing surface water into a nearby drain. The area was covered with moss and sedge, so the aim was to deal with the water without compromising the ecology. 

Three people with spades and scrapers put in a number of channels.  

 Meanwhile, two CROWS went off towards Stoodley Pike to try and 'encourage' people not to walk on the eroded peat by putting in three yellow-topped guide posts on the 'dry' line of the path. 

 

After installing them, which involved a lot of 'to-ing and fro-ing' about the correct positions, we were delighted that two runners and two walkers took the hint and used the optimum route!

Then it was beyond Stoodley Pike to deal with another drainage issue - an overflowing spring spilling water over the path. 

The water was channelled into the drain which should (we hope) prevent it from overflowing the path - a check visit will be needed. 

The final job was to waymark the path running alongside Sunderland Pasture. 

 A long day with a long carry, but a brief stop at the Robin Hood was restorative! 
 

 

HEBDEN BRIDGE - above Nutclough

Kris, Ginny and Rich did a short session on Wadsworth 80 which runs up from Hurst Bridge to Club Houses and Walker Lane. 

The jobs to day were water management - putting in grips and two steps, path widening, cutting back and a new waymark post towards the top. These improvements were funded by donations to CROWS. 

 

 Not a photogenic job, so just photo of a step!!

 

RYBURN - Arkin Royd

On a less muddy day, a team of Jerry, Linda, Graham and Jak returned to Arkin Royd to do further work on the set of steps and to sort out the stile.

Pin denotes site of work

Further steps were added in to the flight to make this more secure. A treadboard was installed to the stile which now makes the stile usable and not just for people with very long legs!

Lower section of steps, still quite a lot of mud around

Upper section of steps

Before, long legs needed

After, with new tread board and legs

This work was generously funded by Calderdale Ramblers. Many thanks.