TODMORDEN - Various

 There were two teams out from Todmorden today:

Team 1: Catherine and RJ spent the first part of the day investigating drainage issues on Long Lane (Tod BW 031) and Baulk Head (at the junction of Tod BW 031 and Tod FP 031) ) and then the second part of the session installing marker posts on Tod 023 and Tod 017.  Inevitably, the team have come back with a whole host of other tasks . . . all to be added to the "to do" list! 

Team 2: Duncan, Kasher and Ken worked on Ashes Lane (Tod BW 022) to clear the turn-bys and then to sort out steps on the Calderdale Way (on Tod 017) where it cross Ashes Lane. Unfortunately, it was not possible to solve all the drainage issues on this bridleway as water was coming off the nearby fields and then flowing down the track. We will return to see if we can create drainage channels at the side to take water off the main bridleway area. 

Although it's not much fun working in the rain it's the only time you can see how the drains really flow! . .  . and what can be done to improve matters. We will also need to come back to improve the steps on the CW on the other side of the lane.

Many thanks to the residents at the top of Ashes Lane who allowed us to park near to the worksite.

Today's work has been funded by individual donations to CROWS. Many thanks to everyone who donates to help keep our amazing network of footpaths and bridleways in a reasonable condition.

A day of Swallows, Wheatears and the call of Curlews. 

Drainage issues on Long Lane and near Baulk Head (Team 1)

Work on Ashes Lane and the Calderdale Way (Team 2).

Team 1: 

RJ and the persistent drainage issue on Long Lane.

RJ formulating a plan for the drainage problem near Baulk Head.

Drainage channels created. Hopefully to take 
the water away from the base of the stile.

The first of the posts going in.

Catherine putting in the second post.

Team 2:

The CW steps at the start of the day.

Duncan starting the step clearance and the 
removal of the rotten risers.

The steps at the end of the day: new risers and stobs added 
and the path widened with all the bilberries
cut back.

 

A number of turn-bys cleared, but a few more to do.

The view down Ashes Lane.

Blackshaw Head: Pedestrian gate 2.

 Blackshaw Head: pedestrian gate Number 2.

On a cool and cloudy day when, once again, the threatened rain never appeared, Ian S, Neil D and Frank H installed a replacement pedestrian gate on right-of-way Blackshaw 021 that heads North-West behind BSH Chapel.

The gate is in an exposed location and has a construction possibly peculiar to the South Pennines (see picture 1)

1. Original gate (looking towards Brown Hill Lane):
 Mmm! a bit 'gappy' and fence posts held together with baler twine.

2. Location: North-West of BSH Chapel on edge of an old delph (quarry)

The Detail.

The gate allows passage through a fragile stock-fence and is hung on a weakly installed hinge-pole that has shifted out of the vertical. It closes against an adequately embedded post which doubles as a fence post.

3.  Original gate: (looking towards Old Shaw Lane)
Mmm! Miscellaneous alignments.

The plan was to embed a new hinge-post and hang (on T-hinges) a new gate with closure spring and chain-loop fastener.

The work begins:

4. Old hinge-post is out. Digging begins
for new deeper hole . . . and it's on
top of an old quarry!

5. Digging deeper: All the other timbers on view
are part of the stock-fencing and will not be touched.

6. New hinge-post being aligned.

Some time later (see picture 7) the vertical hinge-post has been packed and diagonally braced. A 'rest' stop has been fitted to the original (but out of vertical) closure post. A closure spring has been fixed in place and a closure chain which loops over a gate paling is being attached to the closure post.

7. End result: A neat job that does not
interfere with the fragile fence structure

Originally some of the gates on this footpath had a horse outline attached but these silhouettes had deteriorated badly. We thought the horse theme might be confusing as this route is not a bridleway - however, a Crow silhouette might be an appropriate substitute . . . so here's a close-up . . .!

 

8. Crow:

'. . . just then flew down a monstrous Crow

As black as a tar barrel . . . '

(Lewis Carroll, Tweedledum & Tweedledee)

Today's work was funded by a donation from The 'Moors the Merrier Fell Race' (Cragg Runners). Many thanks for your support.

Ryburn - Footpath along Blackshaw Clough

This footpath leads off a bend in the road over the bridge opposite the livery stables at Clough House farm, on Blackshaw Clough Road. Whilst still in use, it has been sadly neglected, being overgrown with tree branches and subject to flooding as a result of choke points in the clough. Today's work has been funded through donations to CROWS. A big 'thank you' to all who have donated.

The section highlighted in blue was today's work area.

Armed with shears, saws and loppers, Andy, Jerry and Angus set about cutting back the overhanging branches and clearing debris from the clough to improve water flow and thus reducing the potential for flooding the footpath. This has previously happened on the lower section of the path, which was still sodden and had to be drained.

The lower section of the path, near its exit onto the road.

Further up the clough, the overhanging branches became a problem.

Though, once cleared, the path soon opened up.

Removing the branches will also help the path to dry out.

The path then splits. To the right, it crosses a stile and follows the line of the clough whereas, to the left, it crosses a small footbridge, leading towards Great Merry Bent Farm. Both the stile and the footbridge are in good order, but the metal handrail on the footbridge has been crushed at one end by a fallen tree - a new wooden handrail will be fitted in due course. 

We had to cut-back a fallen willow tree which had partly blocked the path. This area is very damp, and the spreading nature of the overgrowth was forcing walkers into some very boggy ground.

Before and after views to show where the willow tree was blocking the path.

A wide angle view showing the stile on the right and the footbridge on the left.

TODMORDEN and ERRINGDEN

 There were two teams out from Todmorden today:

Team 1: Ken and RJ completed the revetments (on Erringden 026) in Parrock Wood. On this path, there were initially three sections of revetment immediately before the bridge. We have now put in nine sections and have widened the path. This makes access to the bridge and the hillside beyond (which is a lovely bluebell wood) much easier and safer.

Team 2: Andrew, Catherine, David and Kasher worked on Long Lane/ Bean Hole bridleway (Tod BW 031)) to clear years (and years!) of mud and mulch from the worst sections. We were amazed to find a fantastic stoned surface below the accumulated mud, leaf mould and horse manure!

We also tried to sort out the stream which crosses the track at the far end of bridleway . . .  this is still a 'work in progress'.

Many thanks to the residents of Bean Hole Head for allowing us to park in their yard, just metres away from the start of the bridleway.

Today's work has been funded by individual donations to CROWS and by Cragg Runners' "The Moors the Merrier" event in late 2025.

We will need to come back to remove the mud and mulch at the end of this route nearest to Matthew Lane . . .  and to have another go at sorting out the stream!

Team 1:

The location of the work on the revetments near Parrock Clough.

The revetment and path a month ago . . .

The widened and levelled path with revetments.

The improved path before the stile.

Team 2: 

The blue "pin" marks Long Lane, the site of today's work party.

The bridleway showing heavy usage by bikes.

Years of accumulated leaves.

Catherine and Andrew: different techniques towards
the same goal . . . getting rid of the mulch.

David, Andrew and Catherine: shovelling techniques
in action.

David and Andrew: Mmm! Time for a different plan.

Andrew, Kasher and David: wondering why they
signed up for this Friday's work party.

Andrew: happy in his work!

Trying to find a drain.

Catherine developing her drainage expertise.

TODMORDEN - Various

 A fantastic day to be out! Duncan and Kasher spent the day doing a number of small tasks in the Todmorden area . . .  but unfortunately as soon as we manage to "tick off" the jobs from the to-do list we find others to replace them!

We initially dropped timber at a worksite for one of Friday's work parties.

We then returned to Ashenhust to replant more willow that will assist with natural flood management on the hillside. We had worked in this area a few weeks ago to dig drainage ditches, plant willow cuttings, sort out sand bags etc. Unfortunately the willow in one section of the hillside had been pulled up (and put down the drain!) and the sandbags had been emptied with the sand being put down the drain. The drain had subsequently overflowed and the water had caused problems on the nearby narrow footpath, Tod 029. We do hope that this second attempt will be more successful.

After a drive to above Cornholme we replaced a marker post near Springs on the TCW. This marker post had only been replaced in January 2024 so it was rather annoying to have to replace it again so soon, especially as it was a long way to walk with a post, a bar, a spade, etc etc. Hopefully this new post will last longer.

Many thanks to Dave Halley for providing the willow used today. Thanks too to the walkers who reported today's issues to us. We really do appreciate your help.

Today's work has been funded by donations to CROWS. Many thanks for your assistance in maintaining our RoWs.

Another job to add to the "to do" list: a bridleway
gate near Hartley Royd.

Some of the willow cuttings appear to be starting to 
come into leaf.

More willows were planted in the very wet areas.

The sandbags refilled and replaced.

The rotten marker post to be replaced.

Duncan clearing the hole for the new marker post.

The new marker post in position.