TODMORDEN - Wittonstall Clough, Cornholme

Ken and Catherine were dispatched to do revetment work at Wittonstall Clough. They were missing Kasher and her attention to detail this week so were were a few tools short, and a couple of trips back and forth were required.

Today's work has been funded by Cornholme Wreath Makers (December 2024) workshop, many thanks. 

Details:

At the top of Frieldhurst Road a path leads up through Wittonstall Clough. Just before a bridge the path has been eroded in two places and needs to be stabilised with revetments. Revetments are wooden boards which are staked in place. In this case the boards are secured with steel stakes rather than wooden ones, as the ground is rocky. The path is then built up ensuring there is drainage so the water can mostly flow beneath the path. A turn-by was cleared and some small channels dug to take away the standing water.

Water flowing over the path has eroded it.

The board is staked in place with steel pins.

The path is built up. Thanks to the river there
is a good supply of stone here.

Ken secures the stakes with staples.

On the second revetment. Catherine
shores up the board with rocks.

Water now flows under the widened path.

TODMORDEN - Cornholme and Walsden

Mick and Ian V spent a warm day investigating a couple of reported problems around Cornholme and fixing a flag on a a finger post in Walsden.

First off was a walk up the hill at Green's Clough to check out some problems on the the Todmorden Way in anticipation of the Tod Boundary Walk that will take place on July 5th.

About half way up there had been a report of a broken stile shown on the right below. However, it's clear that the gate next to it is no longer in use so there is little point in repairing a stile that no-one will use! So, we just moved the gate out of the way.

A bigger problem was near the top of the clough where there has been some erosion around steps that had been constructed some years ago.

Repairs here will have to be done before the Tod Boundary Walk takes place.

After lunch at the top of the clough it was off to fix a finger post below Bottomley and next to Lightbank Lock 31 on the canal in Walsden.

This was funded by a personal donation - many thanks.

RYBURN : Near Parrock Nook, Rishworth

On a hottish day, Jak and Eleanor set out to dismantle a broken down ladder stile next to Parrock Nook Farm. It had been reported as dangerous by a member of the public but before deciding to repair or replace it, we checked with the farmer because there was a broken metal gate nearby which seemed to be permanently open and had clearly been providing a viable alternative for many years !

Eleanor just checking the OS app to make sure where the footpath actually runs!

Getting there !  But what to do with the wood?

Luckily the car wasn't far from the site but there was a lot of it. 

The stile has gone and the wood removed but a couple of deep-seated stumps remain. These will be removed on Monday and when we return, there is a small gate in the wall next to the oak tree in the middle of the picture which needs a bit of attention and waymarking. This will then form a useful path up to Height at the top and join a path round the hillside to Ryburn Reservoir. 

If circumstances change we will obviously need to re-consider replacing the stile. 

This work was funded by a generous grant from Ripponden Parish Council

TODMORDEN - Cross Stone

 Another cut back session on the a Bridleway. Thanks to Todmorden Town Council for funding this work.

Before

 

After a good haircut!

 

Ryburn - steps off Ripponden Bank - Part 3.

 We planned for this to be the final day on this project, but it would be a big task for Jak, Jerry and Angus, as this long section of  path would need clearing of debris and the installation of 14 steps!

The day started with a long trek carrying kit and materials; a journey, fortunately, made easier thanks to the owners of Highfield Farm who allowed us to park in their yard.

The blue outline is the overall section of steps. The red outline is the part worked on today.

The work to be done. Several rotten steps need replacing.

Jerry getting to grips with the removal of the old steps.

Around mid-morning, we had a visit from two members of the Long Distance Walkers' Association; the organisation that has funded this work (Many thanks). They were very pleased with what has been achieved and felt that it would make a big difference to the ascent of the bank which forms part of their 24 mile (~38 km) walk in early August.

A visit from two happy members of the Long Distance Walkers' Association.

Keeping things level and secure.

While Jerry and Angus battled with the steps, Jak started the task of clearing debris from the lower section of the path down to its start at Elland Road. This section was less steep but the gaps between the steps was greater and had collected more vegetation, twigs and branches etc. When she had finished the path looked like it had just been built. Top job!

The path joining Elland Road. If you access from here take care - the road is very busy.

Top job done by Jak (that's her in the distance) on clearing the steps.

Lower section showing the cleared drain at the side of the path.

The end of a long but satisfying day.

So we did it and managed to finish the job in three sessions. Not bad when 127 steps were inspected and cleaned; 35 were replaced and two lengths of revetment installed. Although we were in partial shade, it was still hot, humid and sticky work. Many thanks to Jak, Charlie, Jerry, Andy, Graham and Angus for their efforts in getting this work done.