OLD TOWN, HEPTONSTALL

Several teams out today.

Team 1: Paul and Frank H

The task was to refurbish a stile on a Calderdale Way path near Moor Side Farm above Old Town.
Although not the most aesthetically pleasing of structures, the original stile (with dog-gate) had side uprights and cross rails that were sound (and probably best not disturbed). The problems lay with the step: a rotten treadboard, rotten legs and an awkward step-up sequence.
The following picture shows the stile shortly after work had started:

Old step taken out. Leg for a new lower-step in place.

The plan was to construct a two-step stile. Ground conditions favoured 'crossed' rather than parallel treadboards and the existing crossrail positions just about matched with a 300 mm step-up onto the first tread, another 300 mm up onto the second tread and a 450 mm final top rail.
Some time later:

Two new steps for the stile (viewed from downslope side).

Later in the afternoon we surveyed the Right-of-Way that went from Wicken Hill Farm to skirt along the edge of Mount Skip golf course.
Looks like steps to install and three stiles to refurbish! It could be a busy summer . . . with the added attraction of aerial warfare in the shape of golf balls!

Team 2:  Ray and Stella

The work was a continuation of last week's task where a right-of-way crossed the 'Heptonstall by-pass'. A marker post had been installed but the step down onto the road had collapsed.

Collapsed step making access to the road potentially dangerous.

The following picture shows one step already in place and, in a blur of action, Stella wielding a lump hammer to drive home the final stob for the second step.

Good technique: Stable stance, square-on to task,
hitting the target and clear of any passing traffic.

Some time later.

Steps in place, wall stabilised and debris cleared.

The work on this right-of-way towards the Crags was funded by National Trust (Hardcastle Crags).