Walsden: Fir Wood near Calf Hey
On a mainly fine day enlivened by successive bursts of sunshine, drizzle, rain and hail, Mick and Frank H ventured along footpath Tod 112 that leads from Calf Hey Terrace into Fir Wood.
Here was the quirky problem:
A short crossing over a small but vigorous stream, was 'bridged' by half-round, unstable, un-anchored, rotting rails. The structure was slippery and in danger of collapsing.
The solution was to rip out the old rails and replace with a plank bridge resting on bearers and anchored by stobs.
End of session:
Here it is under Mick's critical eye!
Lots of roots and awkward stones explained why the original 'bridge' had no bearers or stobs!
Mmm! With perseverance, the bearers were dug in, the flat rails were levelled, the stobs hammered home and the whole structure securely nailed.
The 'crossing' is very short (barely two strides) but some staples may be added later to improve underfoot grip.
We then moved on to Ragby Bridge to assess a gate on footpath Tod 133 that leads into Ragby Plantation. A plan of action for next session was discussed.
The gate is in danger of collapsing down a steep bank into the stream below. The best solution to give safe access for walkers will be to swop the gate's hinge and latch posts around and re-align their positions - more detail with photos in a week or two.
Our slightly early finish gave Frank H just enough time, on the way home, to go into Mount Shed and construct a framework to extend a storage platform (a large, high shelf) for CROWS' display material. More next week.
Today's work was funded by donations to CROWS. Many thanks.
