TODMORDEN - Back Lane and Greystone Lane

 There were five people out on today's work party but with more than five different weather forecasts we decided to work on paths which were in the valley and out of the wind and possible sleet.

We did not find valley paths but managed to find some shelter from the worst of the weather on two paths above Todmorden: Back Lane and Greystone Lane. 

Duncan and Neil Mc returned to Back Lane (Tod 031) to improve the section of shoring which had been installed to stop the clough eroding the narrow path. The high volume of water coming down this clough a few weeks ago, had started to undermine the previous timber shoring at this narrow point of the path.

Meanwhile, after helping Neil and Duncan to take timber and tools to their work site, Catherine, Kasher and Ken worked on Greystone Lane (Tod 011) to improve the drainage and to cut back encroaching vegetation. We also embedded two yellow-topped marker posts between Chapel House and Eastwood Old Hall, one at the junction of Tod 010 and Tod 033.

Today's work has been funded by Todmorden Harriers with funds raised from their recent Flower Scar Fell Race. Many thanks.

Back Lane near Pex Tenements.

Greystone Lane.

Team 1: Back Lane

Task 1: dismantle the original structure.

Task 2: the rebuild: a similar but deeper
structure slightly further upstream.

Shoring in place.

Shoring in place and braced.

Path-side view of the shoring timbers. We may
need to add further infill to this area once the
existing stones and infill has settled.

Team 2: Greystone Lane

Ken creating a pilot hole for one of the new
marker posts.

One yellow-top in place.

And what do you do with a drain
which overflows onto the path?

Catherine with a water feature (RHS) and a blocked drain.

Greystone Lane: exceptionally wet but
walkable (with care).

Himalayan Balsam seedlings now starting
to show - it's a good time to start the clearance. 

The drainage channel now cleared and
water is flowing . . . off the path and into the drain.

The cleared and free-flowing drain.

Ryburn - Return to the footpath above Clough House Farm below Krumlin.

On a typical March day of sunshine interrupted by snow flurries and sleet, Jerry and Angus returned to this short footpath to install steps on the steepest sections where access was difficult. As with the work done last week, this was funded by donations made directly to CROWS. Many thanks to all who have contributed to make this work possible.

Today's work sites are circled in blue on the map.

Firstly, we tackled the lower part of the path where it leads off  Clough House Lane. This was particularly stony as it started through what was an old wall. Rather than fit wooden steps, we used available materials and created a short flight of stone steps.

The start of the path - now a bit easier with these stone steps.

Working our way up the path, we replaced the previously cut, but temporary, earth steps with wooden ones. The majority of these were where the path climbed out of the wooded section and into a small patch of grazing land. 

First wooden step replacing the previous earth step.

Jerry starting on the main flight of steps at the foot of the slope.

Angus working on the upper section where the path exits into the field.

Fortunately the ground was reasonable soft, albeit a bit slippery. As to be expected in a woodland, there were plenty of tree roots to contend with but despite this we made steady progress. The shelter provided by the wood against the cold wind and blustery showers was most welcome. 

After about three hours we had completed the wooden steps, survived a nasty shower and were being treated to the appearance of a spectacular rainbow.

 

The completed flight of steps up through the woodland.

As we returned to the car we were greeted by a spectacular rainbow!

RYBURN - off Butterworth Lane

On a fine day with hints of Spring, Jerry and Jak started to tackle an unstable, tumbled down set of steps on a footpath going from Butterworth Lane up to Bowood Lane. The steps are in a pretty little wooded section leading onto a field and were in a state of disrepair and only really accessible with great caution.

Before

First we cleared the short section from the road to the site to improve access.

Clearing the path

Then we set to on the 3D jigsaw puzzle of putting the wall and steps back together. This takes some time as each stone has to be carefully considered and they are by and large very heavy! We used levers to manipulate the largest of the stones.

Jerry in deep thought

At end of play on the day the steps are walkable, with care. However we will return to finish these off.

Part way there

This work was made possible by donations to CROWS. Many thanks for these.

BLAKE DEAN

 This is always a lovely spot in which to work - especially in good weather, Stella, Rich, Ian S and Paul had 4 jobs to do. 

Replace several rotten cross-treads on the bridge, deal with two drainage issues, clear two sets of steps and fix a fence. This work was funded by friends and family of Robert Heaton - Blake Dean was a special place for him. 

We had previously replaced some rotten cross-treads on the bridge, but a recent inspection revealed several more were becoming unsafe. At first we counted 8 that needed replacing, but after closer inspection, we ended up replacing 16!

Paul and Ian removing the damaged cross-treads.

 

Arial view

All done

 Meanwhile, Stella and Rich got stuck into some persistent drainage issues. Not photogenic enough for a photo!

The last job was to clear off mulch and encroaching vegetation from two sets of stone steps. 

Before and after

 

 

TODMORDEN - small jobs clear up day

 In dry but bitterly cold conditions, Richard and Kasher spent the day sorting out a number of small jobs and then surveying forthcoming jobs in the Todmorden area.

Jobs included:

• Replacing a number of new "flags" onto marker posts (near Ragby Bridge and along Lumbutts Road)
• Drainage issues (Ramsden Wood)
• Replacement of cross-rails on a recently erected stile (Shaw Road)
• Adding in staples to treadboards on a number of new stiles 
• Cutting back Quickthorn growing very close to a stile
• Way marking and re-erecting marker posts (Bearnshaw Tower)
• Surveying for new stiles along Tower Causeway and above Shaw Road

Today's work has been funded by kind donations from members of the public.Many thanks.

A sad marker post without its accompanying "flag". 
(near Ragby Bridge).

RJ trying to install a new flag.

A revisit to an on-going drainage issue near 
Ramsden Clough.

RJ installing another flag. We will, however, need to replace 
this post which is rotting.

RJ changing the top rail of this stile and
fixing staples to the treadboards.

A stile above Shaw Road which was hard to cross
because of the adjacent Quickthorn. We will also 
need to install another step.

Marker post in dire need of new waymarkers.
This one is near the quarries above Bearnshaw Tower.

RJ measuring up for a new treadboard.