There was a team of five (Ken, Ian V, Neil M, Mick and Kasher) out today completing a myriad of tasks at Hartley Royd (above Cornholme).
1) The rebuilding of a stile on FP Tod 049 (including the addition of a dog gate)
2) Drainage on the bridleway (Tod 049) between Hartley Royd and Hudson Bridge
3) Cutting back and strimming on the short footpath joining Bluebell Lane and bridleway Tod 064
4) Checking the state of the bridleway near to Stoney Lane (Tod 048)
5) Way-marking around the area.
We would like to thank the owner of Hartley Royd for allowing us to park in her yard and for storing timber and tools for us.
Today's work was funded by Todmorden Town Council. Many thanks
Details:
The Stile:
Ian V and Ken thought that they had a relatively simple repair task ahead of them today . . . until we realised that both stile side-uprights were rotten and would need replacing. Thankfully, two out of the three steps were still in good condition so only the lowest step had to be replaced.
We also added a dog-gate at the side of the stile and constructed a stable, stone, 'take-off' step on the approach to the stile. The whole structure is now safely usable by dogs and their humans alike!
 |
| Ian checking out the stile at the beginning of the day. |
 |
| Uprights removed, and plan B implemented. |
 |
| Ken removing one of the uprights, and working out which bits of timber can be salvaged. |
 |
| The stile nearly completed (with Mick, Ken and Ian). |
 |
| Ken and Ian celebrating a neat re-build. |
Drainage:
CROWS have previously done work to improve the drainage on the bridleway between Hartley Royd and Hudson Bridge. Today, Neil and Mick furthered these efforts by clearing ditches so water could flow (via turn-bys) across the track rather than down it!
 |
| Surface water near Tod 049. |
 |
| Drainage ditch cleared. |
 |
| Work in progress: Drainage ditch being cut through tangled, soft rush. |
 |
| Mick clearing the drainage channel. |
Cutting back:
Kasher completed the cutting back and strimming on Tod 064 which was started on Wednesday. The short boardwalk was also repaired and staples were added to improve grip.
 |
| Footpath to be cleared of bracken, nettles, thistles . . . and fallen wall stones. |
 |
| The cleared footpath. |
 |
| The repaired boardwalk with staples added. |
Many thanks to the two dogs (and their humans) who gave this re-opened path a trial run . . . and survived!
