RYBURN - Path off Ripponden Old Bank - balsam

A very warm morning for Jerry and Jak necessitated working in a shady spot. 

Path marked in red

As well as Himalayan balsam there was plenty of bracken making the path almost impenetrable so this was cut back too. We did a mixture of pulling up and cutting the balsam, some of which was in flower and absolutely gigantic.

Bracken before

Bracken after

Jerry in amongst the flowering balsam

Large area now without balsam

We are told that it's possible to eradicate the balsam if we return to it for about 3 or 4 years. So if you're thinking of adopting a path that you use this is what is needed. It is hard work but hopefully we can get rid of it in a few places.

This work was funded by donations to CROWS, for which many thanks.

TODMORDEN and BLACKSHAW HEAD - various

 On a day when it was forecast to be extremely hot Duncan and Kasher decided to have an early start to a cutting back session. CROWS have been contracted to cut back a number of sections of the Pennine Bridle Way. Today we tackled Bow Lane (Blackshaw BW 025), taking care to minimise the cutting back of the statuesque foxgloves along the track. As usual the section nearest the road required more effort (with more trees and brambles to cut back) but thankfully this section was in the shade.

Earlier in the week Ken, Mick and Kasher had been out surveying for future work parties, cutting back vegetation near marker posts which were hidden in the undergrowth, replacing flags on fingerposts and checking on previous tasks where additional work may be needed .

Today's work was funded by Lancashire County Council on behalf of the Pennine Bridleway. Many thanks to all for your support in helping to keep the footpaths and bridleways of the Upper Calder Valley open.

Today's cutting back was along Bow Lane, marked with a blue "pin".

The top of the lane where the brambles were rampant.

The grassy lower reaches of the track looking down into
Colden.

The track after it was cut back.

We tried not to cut back the foxgloves.

Duncan cutting back over hanging holly, laurel,
beech etc.

The stile between Bridestones and Golden Stones
which needs attention.

We will be adding a stile here:
a footpath above Lydgate.

A new flag inserted on the fingerpost near 
Lower Mount Farm.

The willows we planted in land near Ashenhurst 
appear to have taken.

MID-SLACK: the downward path

 Down into Hebden Wood.

The right-of-way (Heptonstall 048) goes down from the dwellings at Mid-Slack to enter Hebden Wood (see map). 

1. The blue pin marks the worksite

This was the area where Ian S, Guy and Frank H worked in sweltering conditions (high humidity and temperatures nudging 30oC) on the following tasks:

i)  Cutting-back a heavily overgrown path.

ii) Adding a further length of handrail to help the descent over a rocky section (no photo for this).

iii) Clearing a significant amount of mud and mulch from a flight of stone steps.

iv) Removing a tree that had collapsed over the path.

v) Shoring the banking (where two rights-of-way cross one another) in preparation for the construction of several steps. 

Here's how it went:

In the jungle.

Ian and Guy cut-back nettles, brambles and other invasive growth that had engulfed the path:

2. Before picture: Wild, wild growth! 

3. After picture: Neat job but . . .
watch out for the barbed wire!

A clean sweep.

Meanwhile Frank used spade and brush to reveal a flight of stone-surfaced steps.

4. Before picture: Not a clear stone-surface in sight!

5. After picture: Clean as a whistle!

Bowsaw surgery.

The path just below the above steps was blocked by a collapsed tree. Major branches were 'hung-up' on an adjacent tree and were potentially under considerable tension/compression forces. Skilled 'de-stressing' bowsaw work by Guy soon resolved the problem.

6. Before picture: The branch to the left rises steeply
to be wedged against an adjacent tree. 

7. After picture: "And there it is - gone!"

Holding up the bank.

Where the right-of-way starts to drop down towards the stone steps, part of the banking was unstable. The plan was to install a length of shoring and grade the path above it so walkers would have a level 'take-off' to descend the bank. A flight of steps will be installed at a later date.

8. Before picture: Crumbling bank edge
which is not as horizontal as it looks!

9. After picture: The edge now takes a load!

This was a useful finishing point for the day. The construction and landscaping of a flight of steps down from the shoring board will be a full day's work . . . preferably in slightly cooler conditions. More detail in a week or so.

RYBURN - fingerpost, steps and balsam

A fine morning saw Rich, Jerry, Andy, Angus and Jak out before it really warmed up. The first task involved a long carry of a heavy fingerpost to a site on the hill above Baitings and Ryburn reservoirs. This was a post that we had repaired.

Location marked with pink blob

Andy, Angus and Jerry crossing Baitings dam

The post was pretty long so it needed a deep hole. This task was quickly accomplished.

Digging a deep hole

Lovely spot

Nearly there

Looking towards Ryburn reservoir

As we returned to the car park, although the signpost is quite a way distant, it was possible to see it from the path across the dam.

From a distance

A long shot from the dam

The next job was to fill in some steps leading off Quakers Lane towards the disused railway line. These were steps we had installed previously. 

The orange blob marks the steps and the pink area is roughly where we removed balsam from

Steps filled in

While we were there we just had to do some more balsam bashing. Returning so soon after doing this on Friday showed that not only is the path well used but that pulling the balsam does see it off, for now at least. We will monitor this path and try to keep the quantity of balsam down. Please feel free to help and wear gloves!

There's a CROW in there somewhere!

Today's work was funded by donations to CROWS, for which many thanks.

TODMORDEN COUNTRY FAIR

 Flying the Flag for CROWS

In gloriously sunny conditions a group of CROWS - Ken, Kasher, Duncan, Kris, Gareth, Mick and Frank H - were involved with the preparation, setting-up, running, dismantling and re-storing of the gazebo and displays that made up CROWS' contribution to the Todmorden Country Fair held in Centre Vale Park.

1. CROWS: The flying banner!

The whole event had a friendly, community-based feel to it as individuals, couples and family groups strolled around the idyllic location, visited trade and charity stalls, took part in activities . . . or just enjoyed eating ice cream!

Here's how it went:

2. "Faster guys, there's another 30 pictures
needing your 'blu-tacking' skills."

3. "Neat work, Duncan - mind that frozen shoulder!"

4.  Easel board display to catch the eye . . .

5. . . with a Cranberry Dam boardwalk display.

6. Kris! This is no time to sit around . . .

7. . . . "Mmm! The 'three block' juggle.
Very impressive! Anyone else got any skills?" . . .

8. . . . and the First Prize for best home-made
marmalade goes to CROWS (courtesy of Kasher).

9. Engaging with the public!

10. Stay awake, Mick . . . or 
 we'll set Elsie onto you! . . . 

11. . . . and here is LC (Elsie); the Lakeland Terrier-Collie cross
Raring to go . . . and very keen on rounding
up her favourite woolly friends . . . 

12. . . . and here they are, but not so woolly
after a shearing session.

This was a most enjoyable day. The fine weather attracted large crowds. The CROWS 'stall' had a steady stream of visitors. More people now seem to be aware of our organisation and we received many compliments on the quality and extent of our work. Thank you.

The new gazebo, larger than its predecessor, had its first outing and proved easier to handle! Erecting and collapsing in fine weather was useful practice for when conditions will be less favourable! CROWS will be 'on show' in Todmorden Town Hall in July (Community Volunteering Fair) and at the Blackshaw Head Fete in September. Come along and enjoy.