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!

TWO PATHS AROUND WADSWORTH

HURST BRIDGE AT NUTCLOUGH

 A few weeks ago a large branch fell off a beech tree on to the bridge. This was speedily dealt with by the council. 

After they had finished we discovered that the nearby fingerpost had been knocked to the floor . . . so needed reinstating. 

 

The reinstated finger post

CALDERDALE WAY BELOW PECKET WELL

Calderdale Highways received a report pointing out the lack of waymarking across Keighley Road. This was true but the least of the problem - the path on the Old Town side was nowhere to be seen! It looked like you were walking into a hedge!

 

Raspberries, Hawthorn, Rosebay Willow Herb, Himalayan Balsam, Brambles and Blackthorn were the main culprits. So Kris and Rich had to use the full set of cutting back tools to deal with the problem. 

 

It's jungle chaos! Where is the path?

A nice place to sit?

The path emerging

It became clear that bits of the stone surface were very large causey stones suitable for pack horses. 

Now you can sit and admire the view

Waymarks attached to an existing post.

 

The bottom of the path is now passable but will need another session to clear it completely. We think the wide causey paths will go to the Keighley Road, so clearing them will save time on future maintenance. It's very exciting to have uncovered this lost path. 

TODMORDEN - a day of unearthing history in Shore

There was one team of four (Catherine, Duncan, Kasher and RJ) out from Todmorden today. A number of jobs needed sorting out in Shore, above Cornholme.

1) Cutting back on Tod 070 by the Baptist Chapel (https://www.tod.me.uk/ and https://sites.rootsweb.com/~todmordenandwalsden/shorechapel_000.htm) and clearing the path to the impressive set of stone steps which go from the clough to the chapel.

2) Cutting back on Tod 062 from Bluebell Lane to the outdoor baptismal area below Shore Law, and revealing the baptismal area once again.

3) A number of minor tasks around Shore Green including a second coat of stain on Gerald's bench on Shore New Road.

Today's work party was funded by a kind donation from the Cornholme Wreath Making workshop held in December 2025. Many thanks for all you do to support CROWS in the Cornholme area.

The stone steps near Shore Baptist Chapel: the site of one of the work parties today.

The blue "pin" marks the site of the Shore Baptist Chapel outdoor baptismal area.

The Baptismal Area:

OK, we know its here somewhere . . . !

The first signs of the baptismal area . . . take care!

The stone steps are emerging...

More of the steps now in view and fallen stones
repositioned.

Catherine working on the stone bridge.

RJ at the top of the baptismal area which has now been
cleared.

Catherine at the end of a satisfying task.

The baptismal area and the bridge.

The baptismal area and the bridge (2)

The stone steps:

The path into the woods.

The wooden seat - now liberated from the 
raspberry canes and brambles!

The path by the side of Shore Baptist Chapel.

The top flight of stone steps.

A second coat:

Catherine giving Gerald King's bench a second coat
of preservative.