Ramsden Farm area: Border country for Stile 1 and a boardwalk by Stile 2
Ian S, David and Frank H continued the work on stiles that lead off the rough track that goes from Ramsden Lane towards Horse Pastures. The two main tasks for the day were:
i) to complete the re-build of Stile 1 which was started last week.
ii) to repair the boardwalk (about 100 m south of Stile 1) that crosses a shallow ditch to access Stile 2.
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| 1. Location: Stile 1 is marked with a blue 'pin'. Stile 2 is 100 m to the south. The black line marks the Calderdale boundary. |
Today's work was funded by Todmorden Wind Farm Through CFFC (Community Foundation For Calderdale). Many thanks.
The detail:
i) Stile 1: the work continues . . .
As a reminder . . .
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| 2. Original stile: suffers from collapsed steps and side-uprights that are rotten at ground level. |
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| 3. Last week: End of session. |
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| 4. Work progresses: lower step legs now in place and treadboard being positioned. |
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| 5. End product. A two-step stile with an impressive electrical power supply in the background. |
We were pleased with the end result. The two-step stile has four cross-rails and the step legs have been cross-braced (only just visible in picture). The approach areas have been landscaped and the stockfence was secured with an extra post (out of picture)) before re-tensioning. The stile is sturdy, safe, easily negotiated and aesthetically pleasing.
ii) Stile 2: The boardwalk.
This is the state of the stile and boardwalk before work began . . .
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| 6. A rickety overgrown arrangement! |
On close inspection the boardwalk was found to have rotten cross-treads, a missing anchoring stob, no kickboard, and stringers that were inadequately fixed to the bearers. The stringers themselves, however, were in decent condition.
The stile and its cross-rails, although somewhat ramshackle, seemed at first glance to be in a reasonable state . . . until the side-uprights were tested at ground level. Mmm! Mainly rotten mush!
The step legs were sound but the treadboards will need replacing.
The plan for today was to secure the boardwalk and replace all the cross-treads . . .
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| 7. Work begins: Out with the old. |
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| 8. Work progresses: Cross-treads removed but will the stringers take a heavy load? . . . |
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| 9. . . . Stress test: 85 kg - no problem! |
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| 10. End of session: In with the new - walkway, kickboard and edge trim. |
To complete what had been a very satisfying day, we measured-up for a replacement stile and then walked over to near Cranberry Dam to measure-up for a boardwalk to bridge the swampy gap between two existing boardwalks. Busy days ahead!