Walsden: Ragby Bridge area
Job 1. Catherine, Mick and Frank H went to the footpath (Todmorden 133) that leads down from a bridleway into Ragby Plantation, While Mick went on a mission to clear a series of turn-bys on the bridleway (sorry, Mick, no pictures), Catherine and Frank continued with the construction work that was started last week.
Here's a view from down the path showing the gate's braced closure-post that was installed last week.
The fence post to the left is rotten and is collapsing along with the fence down a precipitous slope towards the fast flowing river.
Today's task was to replace the rotten post, restring the stockfence and add cross-rails from the new post to the gatepost.
Work in progress:
The new fence post is in place. The stockfence (very difficult to see) has been re-stapled, re-strung and re-tensioned.
Catherine is making a start on the cross-rails.
The downslope to the right is steep and very slippery so a safety tether is being used.
Lunchtime!
Job completed! A stock fence is there! It runs diagonally down the slope to the oak sapling and then on to a succession of support posts
By chance, an hour or so later, a dog-walker was passing, noticed our improvements and sent us the following picture. Thanks, Ray!
This is the fingerpost that indicates the footpath (Todmorden 114) that leads off Foul Clough Road towards Pasture Side Farm.
The post was very loose because:
*it is in an exposed position and wind-loading is significant
*it is a convenient back-scratcher for grazing cattle
*it was not installed deeply enough in the first place
Some time later:
The post is installed. It is deeper in the ground, well-packed, vertical and, most importantly, pointing in the correct direction!
How it will cope with a heavy lean from itchy livestock remains to be seen!
Overall an enjoyable day of energetic work in chilly but fine conditions. Today's work is funded (we hope!) by donations to CROWS. If you would like to make a contribution, details on how to do so are on our website. Many thanks.
