Blackshaw Head:
Having helped to unload a substantial timber delivery from CALVAG, Kasher and Frank H went 'on tour' to complete the following:
i) Rodmer Clough: Improve the link between the new stile (constructed two weeks ago) and the adjacent stockfence. Add waymark disks to indicate the right of way (Blackshaw 010) that heads SW from this stile to Scotland. Install a post (with waymark) to mark the start of a mysterious right of way (Blackshaw 009) that heads West to Slade.
 |
| 1. Map: Location for stile improvement and new markerpost |
 |
| 2. Reminder: Original state of 'stile'. |
 |
| 3. Reminder: Re-build earlier this month. |
The earlier work temporarily secured the right-hand ends of the cross-rails with a short section of vertical rail (just visible). This was replaced by a taller rail hammered deeply into the ground and battened to the existing fence post. The whole structures is now very secure indeed and, if requested by the landowner, could accommodate an extra section of top rail and/or a dog-gate.
 |
| 4. In progress: new vertical being fixed in place. |
Meanwhile, barely 5 m away, a post (with waymark) was installed . . .
 |
5. R-o-W for the intrepid! It points to
Slade - good luck! |
ii) Burnt Edge Lane: A gate on the bridleway (Blackshaw 012) which crosses Burnt Edge Lane and leads towards Strines Clough Farm has suffered! The gate 'bolt' does not quite clear the catch and repeated forcing by enthusiastic users has created a partial split in the gate timber.
 |
| 1. Map: Worksite location |
 |
2. The problem: Partial split, and bolt
not clearing the catch! |
 |
3. The Problem: gate handle cannot move
sufficiently to let the bolt clear the catch. |
 |
4. The Solution: Gate timber 'splinted' on both sides
and gate-handle 'cage' re-positioned to let
the bolt clear the catch. |
iii) Lower Fold
The right of way (Heptonstall 025) between Rodmer Clough Farm and Lower Fold Farm skirts Great Clough. The path is marked with yellow-topped posts and the narrow stream channel can carry an impressive volume of water in wet conditions. The tasks were to hammer-in any loose posts and cut-back excessive growth that was blocking both the path and a footbridge.
 |
| 1 Map: Approximate location of worksite. |
 |
2. Great Clough. There's a stream in
here . . . somewhere! . . . |
 |
| 3. . . . and here it is! |
 |
| 4. Footbridge: now bramble-free! |
 |
5. Post adjustment. Good technique - stable
stance, hammer held correctly, non-slip
gloves, eye on task and 'square-on' hit. |
iv) Hippins: Right of way (Blackshaw 058) forms part of the Calderdale Way. Where it passes Hippins, the magnificent 17th century yeoman's house, the fingerpost had collapsed. Total rot at ground level was to blame. The easiest solution was to cut away the rot, dig-out the 'stump' and re-install. Mmm! Lots of 'grunt'.
 |
| 1. Map: Hippins and the Calderdale Way. |
 |
2. Collapsed post: Barely visible; wedged
drunkenly between wall and old pallet. |
 |
3. Re-embedded: 'Shortie' post in place - vertical,
firm and pointing in the correct direction! |
Calm, clear conditions made this an ideal day for working. The tasks were a bit 'fiddly' but minor glitches were overcome and we were happy with the eventual outcomes.
A moment of high amusement came at end of lunchbreak when Kasher, ever eager to move onto the next task, neatly reversed her car over Frank's plastic water bottle - it quickly became a squash bottle! Mmm! We didn't think to put that on the risk assessment!
