Blackshaw Royd: stile improvements
On a brilliantly fine day, two CROWS teams worked on the footpath (Blackshaw 059) that runs from Blackshaw Royd Farm to meet the bridleway (Blackshaw 070) that comes down from Marsh Lane.
There were two stiles to improve, stile 1 at the Marsh Lane end of the footpath and stile 2 (as marked) nearer Blackshaw Royd Farm. Stile 1 was a relatively straightforward task whereas stile 2 could only be described as challenging . . . (aka 'a pig of a job'!)
Today's work was funded by Blackshaw Head Parish Council. Many thanks.
The Details
1. Billie and Jan tackled the stile that allows access between the bridleway/track and the footpath, across grazing land, that leads to Blackshaw Royd Farm.
Here are a couple of 'before' pictures:
i) View from the track:
Secure, vertical stone pillars define the gap and the drystone wall neatly tapers down on both sides. The wooden stile, seen through the gap, is not quite as elegant!
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| Stile 1: Picture 1 |
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| Stile 1: Picture 2 |
Here is the 'work in progress' picture:
View from the field:
Foliage cleared and one new step leg temporarily in place while Jan excavates the hole for the second leg.
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| Stile 1: Picture 3 |
Here's an end of session picture:
View from the field
Grab pole now in place and stile step completed with improved height and alignment. It compares favourably with Picture 2!
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| Stile 1: Picture 4 |
2. Linda and Frank H (later helped by Billie and Jan) tackled the stile nearer to Blackshaw Royd Farm. The stile was situated in what could only be described as 'swamp corner'!
Here's how the work went. All pictures are at the exit point from the field.
Before:
Heavily overgrown, wobbly and dilapidated! (that's the stile, not the volunteers!). What is not clearly visible in the foreground is how wet the ground has become following the recent exceptional downpours
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| Stile 2: Picture 1 |
During:
A new support post (out of shot on the left) has been added, new step legs have been installed and a new, wider treadboard fixed in place. A grab pole (visible on right) will assist balance. Jan (helping out after completing stile 1) is stabilising a re-cycled section of decking which Frank is cutting to size. It's late in the day but concentration and techniques are still good! The boggy nature of the ground is visible through the re-aligned cross-rails.
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| Stile 2: Picture 2 |
Later:
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| Stile 2: Picture 3 |
Even though Picture 1 is available as a comparison it's difficult to appreciate the technical difficulties that this job presented. Originally a two-step stile was planned but it proved impossible to find suitable ground for this. The step in the picture has legs embedded in the only two patches of ground that allowed any depth of hole. Even so, these were at the lower margin of what Frank thought was acceptable. The hole for the nearest leg filled with water as it was being dug and only a combination of aggregate, bulky stone and heavy hammering produced a stable result. This was enhanced by the two step legs being cross-braced by a 50 mm x 50 mm batten (visible in the picture).
The recycled section of decking was used a working platform to stop Frank sinking into the mud! This decking has been left in place as a temporary measure so walkers have somewhere to stand while contemplating their next move! The drainage in this area has been earmarked by the landowner as needing attention, after which the decking can be discarded.
There is some minor 'landscaping' still to do which may be an add-on task for next week's team who are working in the area . . . don't forget your Wellingtons!
