1. Blackshaw Royd:- dog-gate.
Frank S & Frank H (working on footpath Blackshaw 062) took advantage of a gloriously sunny day to add a dog-gate to the stile and fence that had been constructed in May.
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| Dog-gate to be inserted next to stile on footpath Blackshaw 062 just before it forms a T-junction with footpath Blackshaw 072. |
This was a straightforward task as the following pictures show:
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| Before: Fence and stile. |
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| After: Fence, stile and dog-gate. |
This work was funded by a donation from Blackshaw Head Fell Race. Thank you.
2. Colden: gate in wall stile.
Just below Eygpt, a footpath (Heptonstall 008) crosses a stone gap-stile (with steps on one side) to become footpath Heptonstall 011 that leads down to the new footbridge over the stream where Pinion Clough runs into Rough Hey Clough.
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| Position of stone gap-stile with half-gate. |
The stone-gap-stile has a half-gate which closes by the action of a spring. Unfortunately because of the geometry of the gate timbers, this closure is too 'soft' and the half-gate is easily pushed open by sheep.
The de-luxe option (plan A) would be to transfer the gate to the opposite side of the gap and have standard hinge and closure posts with a compression spring as the closure mechanism. Unfortunately, wall footings make it impossible to dig holes for the posts and uneven stonework with varying 'batter' make the use of brackets virtually impossible.
There are, however, low-tech solutions (AKA: plans B, C and D) - namely use a stronger closure spring (B), add a closure loop (C) and fit an 'elastic' tensioner (D).
Plan B: After much experimenting, some repositioning, much bending of torsion rods and . . . spectacular ejection of spring-stops a compromise was reached.
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| Longer and stronger spring fixed with unorthodox spring-stops (fortunately not visible). Alignment not optimal because of peculiarities of the original structure! |
Plan C: Closure loops work well especially if they are easily visible to the path user . . . and they are very easy to fit.
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| Closure loop, anchored to wall top, neatly fits over gate paling and . . . unmissable in bright yellow! |
Plan D: A 'back-up' tensioner in the form of a 'bungee' cord. No picture taken!
The half-gate now closes firmly and is much 'tighter' in the closed position. The closure loop provides extra security. We hope this arrangement lasts! If not, it might be back to a variation of plan A.
This 'low-tech' work was funded by donations to CROWS. Thank you
3. Colden: Salt Pie area stile.
A survey formed the final task for this session. The Colden Water stream-side footpath (Heptonstall 026) up from Lands Bridge has a 'stile' that might need attention.
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| The former stile - partly buried by a wall collapse.: |
Problems are:
i) Side-posts missing (rotted at base and collapsed).
ii) Cross-rails missing (whereabouts unknown!).
iii) Step-leg (in foreground) rotten at base.
iv) Marker post collapsed (leaning against wall)
A complete re-build may be needed although, because of recent, new post-and-wire fencing (a good quality job) there may be an easier alternative involving short rails to close the gaps between fence and wall. All to be discussed!
