Gaddings Dam: Footbridge
It was a stunning, blue-skied South Pennine morning for a gang of seven (Kasher, Mick, Andrew, Ray, Jerry, Jan and Frank H) to fully replace an old footbridge at the breach just beyond Gaddings Dam.
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| 1. Old bridge: in a state of decay . . . and wobbly! |
*Old footbridge with the left-hand timber missing, the central timber decaying and under-rails rotten and collapsing.
*The plan was to rip out all the bridge, install new main timbers and recycle remnants of the old to make a side-support with hand-rail.
This picture was taken months ago on an inspection visit. By today, conditions had changed . . .
Getting to the bridge involves a 5 km walk along the Pennine Way before taking a modern causey path for 1.5 km to reach Gaddings Dam. Fortunately, because we had permission to use the reservoir access road, we were able to drive to the start of the causey path. Here's how the day went:
Starting off:
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| 2. Some of the timber and materials to carry across the moor |
*Mmm! Snow on the ground, temperature down to - 4 oC and an icy drive!
*Stunning views in all directions but not a flicker of movement from the distant windturbines - and no electricity either!
*We needed a team of seven because there was a small mountain of tools and timber to carry across the moor.
*It's two volunteers to each section of main timber and other items equally distributed.
*Some of the carrying was done in relays to make the task seem easier!
Progress:
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| 3. Hi-Ho! Hi-Ho It's o'er the moor we go! |
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| 4. Timbers frozen into the rock-hard ground. |
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| 5. If in doubt . . . use more grunt! |
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| 6. Time for a snack. Many thanks to Claire from Hebden Bridge who supplied the home-baked goodies! |
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| 7. Good progress: New timbers and recycled side posts in place. |
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| 8. More of the same: Lots of sawing, drilling and coach-screwing. |
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| 9. The Motley Crew - minus Kasher who was the official photographer and energetic worker. |
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| 10. It's the long, long trek back to the vehicles. |
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| 11. In memory of Robert Harker. |
Today's work was funded by a donation from Robert Harker. His legacy enabled this sturdy footbridge to be completed and it will also fund future tasks in the Upper Calder Valley. Many thanks.
