Falling Royd: stile replacement.
On a stunning, cold, Autumn day Ray, Ian S and Frank H applied their combined expertise to re-build a stile on the right-of-way (Hebden Royd 019) that runs from near Falling Royd towards Broadbottom Farm.
The stile is at the point where rough grazing gives way to a wooded hillside and the work was funded by friends and family of Tim Mihailovik. Many thanks.
The Detail
Although the temperature hovered around 0 degrees C, the combination of a windless day, sheltered location and Autumn sunshine made for ideal working conditions. We even shed a layer or two!
i) The start
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| The old stile |
What's the problem? Mmm! Every step-leg and vertical timber (apart from the left-hand stile post) is rotten. The treadboards are wobbly and the top rail is not as horizontal as it looks!
ii) Work in progress
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| Old cross-rails removed and stock fence being re-attached. |
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| New right-hand side-post being positioned. Frank looking slightly anxious? . . . . |
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| . . . No! He was just desperate for lunch . . . as was Ian! |
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| New side post and two cross-rails in place. Step legs undergoing final adjustments. Is everything aligned properly? . . . |
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| . . . Never in doubt! - although you need eagle-eyes to spot that the bubble is exactly central. |
iii) The end result.
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| A neat two-step stile. New left-hand post has diagonal bracing and the stock fence has been re-attached and re-tensioned. Yellow tubing covers barbs near the new post. All rails are horizontal with lamb-proof spacing and the step legs have been cross-braced (bracing not visible in picture) for extra stability. |
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| View from the rough grazing side towards the stile and into the wood. The extra width of the stile makes it easier to negotiate. Enjoy! |
