Heidi and Rich's first go at clearing the Cat Steps* which are a great route to get from the valley bottom up to Lower Rawtonstall and Blackshawhead.
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| Path marked in yellow (Blackshaw 037) |
The stone steps were very overgrown and, with lots of woodland debris on them, were not easy to use (especially going down). The path has been waymarked at the bottom to make it more obvious.
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| Before: At the bottom -not easy to see the path! |
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| Before: Loads of debris and encroaching vegetation |
Hedge cutters, shears, loppers, spades, trowels, azads (and hands!) were used to clear the bottom third of the steps.
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| In progress: Heidi pulling out vegetation. |
A pretty back breaking session, but a very satisfying result.
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| After: photo of the bottom section |
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| After: photo of section higher up |
There are more of the existing steps to clear. An extra step is needed at the bottom and a few steps at the top need replacing.
This work is being funded by the landowner and Blackshaw Parish Council.
* Why is it called the Cat Steps? According to Calderdale Local Studies Library, "East Lancashire and West Yorkshire term for a type of stone short-cut on a steep hill". Makes sense and explains why there are several Cat Steps in the area.
Why and when were they put in? Probably in the mid 19th century when the Mills at Eaves needed weavers to come down from Lower Rawtonstall and Blackshaw to work. The mill owner was a probably a bit mean as the quality of the steps was pretty poor compared with others in the area.
