Ryburn - Balsam bashing !!

With the weather considerably cooler than last week, Jak, Jerry and Angus headed off to finish the work started last Friday on the footpath off Ripponden Old Bank. This was mostly cutting back outcrops of Himalayan Balsam and nettles, along with trimming back brambles and stray branches. Having completed this work, we moved to the old favourite that is Back Lane, above the Alma Inn at Cottonstones, both these jobs have been funded through donations to CROWS, many thanks to those who kindly donated.

Locations of today's cutting back are highlighted in orange.

First job at Ripponden now completed.

 

Back lane, despite looking impassable, the footpath has been used.

Back Lane suffers badly from Himalayan Balsam infestation, whilst we clear the path annually, the plants growing in the adjacent fields and on the embankment continue to spread seeds, replenishing the the growth. It's a bit of a thankless task, but regular footfall does help to keep it clear. The cutting back work was done using electric strimmer's and shears, and we hopefully managed to get the majority of the plants before they seeded. With the path clear, thirsty walkers can make their way for a refreshing drink and a hearty meal at the Alma Inn.   

Path now clear, Alma Inn, here we come !

CRAGG VALE - around and about

 Andy, Ginny and Rich had five jobs to sort:

• A drainage problem and waymarking near Stoney Royd Farm
• A reported problem with a kissing gate at new Bridge
• Drainage on the riverside path near Clough Bridge 
• Levelling a path and sorting a collapsed stile on the riverside path towards Dauber Bridge 

Today's work was funded by a generous donation from Cragg Vale  Community Association. 

PATH ALONG THE EDGE OF BELL HOUSE MOOR

A lovely path connecting Heseltine Lane and Dick's Lane - the most amazing views of the valley!

The path was sinking into the mire in a couple of places. In one place we were able to uncover some sunken stones to create a dry route. In both spots we needed to direct people towards the wall to traverse a relatively dry route. 

 DRAINAGE ON THE RIVERSIDE PATH

A periodic visit to clear out a ditch that was over topping on to the path - should dry out soon. Extra waymarking was done at the path junction. 

PATH LEVELLING AND STILE SORTING

The narrow path heading towards Dauber Bridge was tricky to walk along - the bank was cut back and made more level. Further along, the stile had totally collapsed across the path. The post and rails were removed as it was no longer needed for stock control. 

 

 

TODMORDEN - Cutting Back & Tree Guards

Friday 26th June

There were two teams out from Todmorden today.

Team 1: Mick and Ken: raising the tree guards at Guide Quarry the start of the Geology trail

Team 2: David, RJ & Catherine: continued the work started last week cutting back on Tod BW 059 below the dinosaur and below Kitson Royd Farm, off Pudding Lane. This week it was the next section of the path down towards Pitts.

Today's work has been funded donations to Crows (Team 1's work) and by Calderdale Council Highways (Team 2's work). Many thanks.

Team 1 at Guide Quarry

These trees planted by Crows have grown
well but are now at munching height.

So the guards needed building up.

Ken and Mick have sorted it for now!

Team 2 worked here.

Bottom of path before strimming.

After strimming.

The path lower down was overgrown.

Easier to negotiate now.

RYBURN - Path off Ripponden Old Bank - balsam

A very warm morning for Jerry and Jak necessitated working in a shady spot. 

Path marked in red

As well as Himalayan balsam there was plenty of bracken making the path almost impenetrable so this was cut back too. We did a mixture of pulling up and cutting the balsam, some of which was in flower and absolutely gigantic.

Bracken before

Bracken after

Jerry in amongst the flowering balsam

Large area now without balsam

We are told that it's possible to eradicate the balsam if we return to it for about 3 or 4 years. So if you're thinking of adopting a path that you use this is what is needed. It is hard work but hopefully we can get rid of it in a few places.

This work was funded by donations to CROWS, for which many thanks.

TODMORDEN and BLACKSHAW HEAD - various

 On a day when it was forecast to be extremely hot Duncan and Kasher decided to have an early start to a cutting back session. CROWS have been contracted to cut back a number of sections of the Pennine Bridle Way. Today we tackled Bow Lane (Blackshaw BW 025), taking care to minimise the cutting back of the statuesque foxgloves along the track. As usual the section nearest the road required more effort (with more trees and brambles to cut back) but thankfully this section was in the shade.

Earlier in the week Ken, Mick and Kasher had been out surveying for future work parties, cutting back vegetation near marker posts which were hidden in the undergrowth, replacing flags on fingerposts and checking on previous tasks where additional work may be needed .

Today's work was funded by Lancashire County Council on behalf of the Pennine Bridleway. Many thanks to all for your support in helping to keep the footpaths and bridleways of the Upper Calder Valley open.

Today's cutting back was along Bow Lane, marked with a blue "pin".

The top of the lane where the brambles were rampant.

The grassy lower reaches of the track looking down into
Colden.

The track after it was cut back.

We tried not to cut back the foxgloves.

Duncan cutting back over hanging holly, laurel,
beech etc.

The stile between Bridestones and Golden Stones
which needs attention.

We will be adding a stile here:
a footpath above Lydgate.

A new flag inserted on the fingerpost near 
Lower Mount Farm.

The willows we planted in land near Ashenhurst 
appear to have taken.