Ken, Andrew, Catherine and Kasher had an idyllic day in Tower Clough to sort out the revetment on Todmorden 074, a right-of-way which goes steeply from the road above Bearnshaw Tower Farm to the Flower Scar ruin (see map).
Revetment repair was carried out on this footpath in August 2020 but flood conditions have further undermined the bank causing the path to collapse leaving edge-holes along parts of the revetment. Consequently, walkers have been wandering off-route and a faint unauthorised path nearer to the Bearnshaw Plantation has been created.
The recent dry spell means water levels in the Clough are now very low making it safe for us to work in this area and, in particular, to enter the water in the search for the stones needed for construction.
The job was to repack (with large flat stones) the problematic edge-holes and reinforce the shoring with additional boards and a bracing post The path could then be back -filled with gravel from the stream, widened and levelled.
Large boulders from the stream (heroic paddling needed!) were then placed against the foot of the revetment as protection against further erosion.
Today's work was funded by a donation from the Cornholme Wreath Making workshop held in December 2024. Many thanks to all.
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| 1. Map: The location of Tower Clough. |
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| 2. Collapse!: The footpath and an "edge- hole". (photo taken January 2025). |
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| 3. The long view (before) : Jan 2025 photo of the path, the revetment, the "the edge hole"and rising water levels. |
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| 4. Work begins: Catherine and Ken measuring up "the hole" for remedial work! |
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| 5 Progress: Catherine, Ken and Andrew sorting out the first new piece of revetment and the additional 1.8 m post. |
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| 6. Packing: New boards in place, edge-hole filled and Andrew back-filling the surface. |
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| 7. The next section: Catherine and Ken sorting out additional revetment boards. |
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| 8. Man and drill: Ken securing new end-section boards. |
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| 9. Overview: New revetment boards in place, additional post installed and protective boulder 'rip-rap' being added to the base at stream level.. |
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| 10. End of the day: Andrew and Ken assessing the completed work. Marks out of ten ? Did they agree? . . . It's a well-kept secret! |
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| 11. The long view (after): The restored pathway (compare with picture 3). |
