Hot Lane: fencing in a micro-climate!
Ian S and Frank H drew the climate short straw by working in cold, wet, windy conditions while the rest of today's work parties enjoyed calmer, drier and even sunny conditions! Hey-ho!
The location was Hot Lane (see map) and the task was to replace the 'fence' that linked CROWS brand-new stile and gate work on the right-of way (footpath Heptonstall 016) to an existing post and wire stockfence.
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| 1. Map: R-o-W Heptonstall 016 shown by blue marker. |
Today's work along with earlier right-of-way tasks have been funded by the landowner.
The detail
The following two 'before' pictures show up-path and down-path shots of the stile side-fencing. The 'fence' is an old hurdle or palette attached with baler twine to a decayed post which acts as the (unbraced) straining post for a sagging stockfence. Mmm! Lots to consider!
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| 2. Before: Up-path view. Old hurdle as fence (Picture taken in Feb 2025) |
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| 3. Before: Down-path view. Support post and stockfence both sagging badly. (Picture taken April 2025) |
Plan A was:-
i) to fix a tall fence pole vertically to the gate's closure post.
ii) replace the decaying fence post with a braced, more deeply embedded post.
iii) Attach five, horizontal, parallel rails between these new posts.
iv) Re-fix and tension (as far as possible) the stockfence.
And here's the end result:-
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| 4. After: Up-path view: Plan A-worked first time! |
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| 5. Down-path view: Plan A again! |
We were very happy with the end result . . . apart from the wet gloves, the freezing fingers and the penetrating rain! The composite structure of posts, rails and bracing is secure, strong, stable and aesthetically pleasing. It now provides a considerable barrier to any sheep that are tempted (for some woolly reason) by the delights of Edge Lane tarmac in preference to Hot Lane grass . . . but they are great climbers!
