Flailcroft: Last flight to Flailcroft (continued)!
The task of finishing this long-running job with the final five steps required to reach the top was the gauntlet picked up by Ken, Jerry and Catherine on a warm, close June day. Unfortunately a combination of tree roots and giant rocks meant that they fell one step short of their target!
In case you haven't been following this epic story, these steps (immediately below Flailcroft Farm) form part of the footpath (Todmorden 082) that leads down towards Scaitcliffe Wood and then on to the Burnley Road.
Today's tasks were a copy of those of every Friday in recent times!
i) Remove an old step.
ii) Cut, level and flatten the new tread area.
iii) Insert a new riser so it is has a vertical face and a horizontal top.
iv) Anchor it with stobs and pin with nails. Three stobs are required for the longer risers with the third 'hidden' stob fixed centrally behind the riser.
v) Landscape and tidy.
THEN REPEAT!
The work is being funded by a donation from the Todmorden Wind Farm Fund accessed through the 'Community Foundation for Calderdale'. Many thanks.
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| 1. Ken & Jerry shovelling and levelling. |
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| 2. Catherine nailing a central (hidden) stob. |
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| 3. End of the day. Tantalisingly close to the top! |
Despite not finishing, the team derived satisfaction from the day's work. Ken used one of the giant rocks we excavated to landscape the side of the steps. Catherine almost managed to maintain her perfect record of not bending any nails, thwarted only by a knot in the 'last riser' of the day! The spacing between steps was adjusted to eventually blend into that of the existing stone steps at the head of the flight.
And so the story of these steps will roll over to another week. Next Friday's team should have the pleasure of doing a little dance and enjoying a topping-off ceremony! Any takers? It's lots of glory for not much graft!
