RIPPONDEN - Cotton Stones

There was a big team out today on the footpath Ripponden 003, also known as Back Lane, behind the Alma Inn at Cotton Stones. The usual Ripponden team of Linda, Lynda, and Jak were supported by Stella, Jerry and Frank S from Hebden Bridge. 

The path was completely overgrown and impassable to all except the most hardy of walkers. The morning was fine and we made good progress, but later the heavy rain that was forecast, started and we stopped for the day. The red ring on the map shows the section six people managed to clear in four hours, so we'll have to return a few more times before this little network of paths is fully usable.

Work today was funded by Calderdale Council Highways.

The Details

The first view we got of this path was just a wall of vegetation!

But hidden in there is a fence and a stile.

A little way along the path there was just a mass of brambles, ferns, and balsam.

But with garden shears, loppers, and an electric hedge cutter we eventually found the path.

Here's the shears in action.

And, of course, we raked up the debris to clear the ground.

Hidden in the brambles we found some treasure. It's a mattock and a slashing tool that must have been left behind by the last team to clear this path many years ago. The slasher was in good condition, and with a new handle, the mattock will also be a useful addition to our tool collection.