Blackshaw Royd Farm: Gate and Stile
On a pleasant, clear day, two CROWS teams worked near Blackshaw Royd Farm on a footpath (Todmorden 062) that runs roughly North to South and on its branch (Todmorden 059) that leads off to the East (see map).
Frank H and Ian S (later joined by Billie) tackled task 1 which was to replace a rickety stile with a pedestrian gate. Ray and Jerry meanwhile embarked on task 2, a re-build of a one-step stile and dog-gate.
Today's work was funded by a donation from a local resident. Many thanks.
The details:
Task 1: Stile out, pedestrian gate in!
Before work started:
At first glance, this stile may not appear to be problematic. However, the left-hand post is completely rotten at the base, some of the cross-rails are loose, the very narrow treadboard sags alarmingly under load and the top rail is too high.
Solution? Excavate the rotten post, remove the old stile, dig two holes for new gateposts, install gateposts so they are firmly embedded (and vertical!), fix existing cross-rails to the new posts, cut out the redundant sections of rail, add gate stops, fit closure spring, attach closure loop and landscape the approaches. Phew! A fair amount of sweat but basically straightforward. Mmm!
Progress picture:
Ian digging out the 'stump' of the old post. Eventually we put straps around the ragged top and hauled it out vertically. The hole left behind just needed deepening slightly to accept the hinge-post.
Towards the end of session
Gate posts in place, gate fitted with T-hinges and heavy duty closure spring. The rope closure loop still needs some adjustment but the landscaping has been done. 'PLEASE CLOSE THE GATE' signs have been added . . . we have great hopes!
The structure is safe, secure and stable, and has an effective closure mechanism. However, CROWS will give it a check over in early September when we re-visit this area to do further work.
Task 2 Re-build of stile and dog-gate:
Before work started
This structure is a bit 'tired'! The left-hand strainer by the wall is adequate but the stile treadboard, balanced on 'round legs' is very narrow and the tallish central post is completely rotten at the base. The timbers to the right are more awkwardly aligned than appears at first sight!
Solution? Replace the narrow one-step with a wider (150 mm) version on 100 mm x 100 mm square section legs and re-align the structure to the right.
The work was not without its problems. Some stonework had to be cut to accept the new step-legs and the amount of water leaking into the 'leg holes' reflected the large quantity of recent rain! . . . however, some time later . . .
Neater stile with a re-assuring, easily seen, yellow-topped grab-post for walkers and a lift-type dog-gate that all but the most portly of canines should be able to negotiate!
The structure is safe and secure but CROWS will give it the standard 'check-over' in the next few weeks.
