Ryburn - Footpath work next to Ogden Farm above Cotton Stones.

Today, a seven-strong team of Rich, Jerry, Lynda, Jak, Angus, Kris and Nick (a new volunteer) headed to the section of footpath reported by the landowner to have several issues. Although the main task was cutting-back, there was also a stile which required tread-boards and a lot of waymarking; the lack of the later has seen walkers make their way across fields, much to the frustration of the landowner.

 Today's work has been funded by the Ryburn Ward Forum to whom we are very grateful.

The red highlight shows the sections of path worked on. The blue circle is the stile.

The stile consisted of two iron cross-bars and two posts . . . but no treadboards!

The ground was incredibly dry, even down to 0.5 m!

Jerry and Angus set to work on the stile (this mostly involved digging out dust and rocks) while the rest of the group spread out along the path to start cutting-back the overgrown vegetation. Despite the overgrowth the path is well used, but the lack of waymarks meant that people have chosen their own wandering routes across some sections.

 

Before and after images of the path beyond the stile, now with a waymark.

As the morning wore on the stile work was completed and several sections of the path were free of nettles, coarse grass, brambles and the like, We also uncovered a sad, dilapidated bench and a carved stone,

 

Checking levels before fitting the treadboards.

The remains of someone's favourite bench . . . a sad sight.

 Another interesting discovery. Any thoughts anyone ??

After lunch, during which a Eurofighter flew low over our heads, we moved to the end of the path where it exits onto Bowood Lane. In the first 50 m of this section there were a lot of brambles, wild raspberries, ferns, low branches and coarse grass that needed clearing.

During this last section of clearing we discovered an overgrown stile to a path which leads to Long Royd Farm. This will require a further visit to make good the stile and check the waymarking up to the farm. Overall we cleared around 550 m of path, added/replaced several waymarks and generally made the path easier to follow by all who use it. 

 

The entrance to the path off Birks Lane (before and after).

A bit of work still required to make this stile safe!

Nice to be treated to a fly-past by a Eurofighter!

TODMORDEN GOLF COURSE - CUTTING BACK

 

Friday, 31 July 2026

A team of four - Duncan, David, RJ and Catherine - set out for Todmorden Golf Course following a report that the path up to Wickenberry Clough had become overgrown.

Many thanks to Todmorden Town Council for funding today's work.

This is the path that the team worked on.

Catherine at the start of the path ready to get going.

RJ cuts back overhanging trees.

Plenty of work to be done.

A turn-by needed clearing out so water will drain
off the path when it eventually rains again.

RJ sorts it out.

Yet more cutting back!

Well-deserved lunch break.

Looks much more welcoming now.

And easier to negotiate.

Time to head for home...

...with a few bonus balls!!

TODMORDEN - return to Rise Lane

After installing some new steps recently on the diversion stretch of Rise Lane (the path leading from Doghouse Lane towards Dobroyd Castle), we decided to replace some of the others and install a side revetment on one flight to prevent erosion and extend its life.

Ian V and Gareth therefore headed up the lane to renew their acquaintance with its many flies and do the necessary work.  Three new steps were installed, the revetment fitted and the path summit widened a little to make passage a little easier.

Today’s work was funded by Todmorden Town Council and as ever we extend our thanks to them for their support.

Today’s work-party location.

Gareth pointing at something important!

The new revetment at the side of the flight.

Ian finding out whether he can put in a “stob”
. . . . he can!

Gareth admiring two of the new steps.

Depot Days

 Rationalisation of storage

The depot contains spare timber, pre-cut items, hand tools, power tools, portable kits, fixings, paints & stains etc. Consequently it is divided up into storage, workbench and administration areas. However, when new or extra items arrive some re-jigging of dedicated storage is necessary.

This week, Ken and Frank H turned their attention to the corner where items - strimmer, brush cutter and hedge trimmer - are stored along with the ancillary faceguards and ear muffs etc. This section of the depot (pithily, but accurately, described as chaos corner) has suffered from too much equipment, often stored in a random way, being crammed haphazardly into too small a space. Time to fine-tune!

For those volunteers who use the depot, the following has happened:

i)  the tubs containing the azads have been removed.

ii) the azads are now stored near the rakes and slashers

iii) the bars and jemmies have been moved to be near the spades

iv) the corner where the tubs (and tap) were has been cleared and hanging boards installed (with landlord's approval) across the redundant doorway and across the end section of the dexion shelving. Two  moveable low storage platforms are being constructed to fit in this area.

v)  helmets + visors and/or ear muffs have their own dedicated storage.

Camera coverage and alarm positions remain unchanged.

1. Construction work. Ken in action pre-drilling timbers.

2. Chaos corner. Now cleared and improvement work is well underway.

3. So far: Hanging storage for helmets, hanging boards in place, a drip bucket
replaces the old tub and one storage platform has been constructed.

There's more to do here but the task is well underway. Any further storage may be problematic . .  . unless, of course we construct a mezzanine level. Mmm! . . . Perhaps not.

WADSWORTH OLD TOWN

 Chiserley Village paths

Ginny, Sean and Paul were out today in Lower Chiserley cutting back two of the main footpaths in this area of Old Town. The longer and more often used path (Wadsworth 075) travels directly down the hillside from Chiserley Stile to South Mead running parallel most of the way to the back of the houses on Old Mill Ridge. The second path runs along the bottom end toward Foot Kiln (Wadsworth 076). The weather was fair with no sign of the predicted rain so counting our blessings we soldiered on.

Pathways in red

Work funded by Wadsworth Parish Council. Thankyou for your ongoing support.

Attending to these overgrown footpaths has become an annual event and the before photos tell us why.

toward South Mead

Up toward Chiserley Stile

Across the field toward Foot Kiln.

Ginny and Sean teamed up to work on the pathway up to Chiserley Stile while Paul strimmed the main feeder paths:

Overgrown hedge narrowing the path.

There was time to spot some wild life; an inquisitive female Robin!

Any food about?

After lots of work we made headway:

Tidy!

Clearer at the top end!

That's better!

More accessible now.

Overall it was a satisfying day. There is still more to do off so we will return!