Bullion Farm: Stile 1
Several stiles on or near the Calderdale Way between Bullion Farm and Hippins are in need of attention. On a cool but fine day, Ken H, Neil M and Frank H turned their efforts to stile number 1.
Here's the problem:
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| 1. Start of session |
*The step is too low
*The top cross-rail is flimsy and, although at a reasonable height above the top of the step, is not high enough to deter sheep.
*The treadboard juts out too far into the stock-side of the stile (making it easier for sheep to scramble over the stile).
*Of the 4 posts and one step leg on view; one is (unalterably) out of alignment and three are rotten.
The plan is:
* Install two new side posts.
* Re-align and install new step legs with a new treadboard.
*Brace the right-hand side post on which to tension the fence wire.
*Add a braced grab-post to the farm side of the stile to help movement through the wall gap.
Here's how it went:
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| 2. Digging out the rotten post stumps |
All together now . . . and to the tune of the first three lines of our National Anthem we have that well-known Maori war chant:
Wata, fata ar si hav
Wata, fata ar si hav
Wata fat ar s!'
Three rotten stumps were removed along with three other sets of debris from previous constructions! Credit, however, to the original stile builders - the leg and posts were 'textbook' examples of correct depth and firmness of packing . . . but a 'pig' of a job to get out!
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| 3. Not a fossilised mole but the rotten remains of a stile side-post. |
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| 4. Short side-post needs a depth of 750 mm. That's a spade length . . . . . . less the handle! Mmm! |
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| 5. Job done! |
Everything that should be vertical, is vertical.
Everything that should be horizontal, is horizontal.
Everything that should be braced is braced.
Despite one or two technical glitches, we were happy with today's efforts that met the criteria of being safe, secure, durable, functional and aesthetically pleasing.
That's one stile done . . . only three to go!
Today's work was funded by donations from walking groups and from individuals. Many thanks.
