Ryburn - Rough Hey wood - Day 13

On a very wet Monday, the Ryburn team headed into Rough Hey Wood and split into two teams. Team 1 (comprising Jak, Lynda and Angus) worked from Stansfield Mill Lane following the top path into the wood. Meanwhile, Team 2 (Graham and Jerry) parked at Toad Hall, courtesy of the landowner, and headed down into the wood along the link path from Butterworth End Lane. As with the previous tasks, the work in this area has been funded by a kind donation from the Russell Family -  big "thankyou" to them.

Red circles indicate the worksites for Team 1.

The two jobs for Team 1, were, firstly, replacing a damaged fingerpost at the start of the path off Stansfield Mill Lane, followed by cutting back towards Rough Hey Scar where there was significant encroachment of holly.

The fingerpost had rotted through at ground level and fallen onto the lane, breaking the plastic direction flag, which had replaced the original wooden flag. The trusted method of splinting the post was put into action using the top section from a previously rescued post and the mid-section from the existing post.

The post to be replaced . . . casually leaning against the wall!

The two sections ready to be joined.

The two sections of the post now spliced and repositioned in a new hole

 

Before and after images of the path at Rough Hey Scar. It was very wet !!

With this section now completed, we next need to put in steps on a muddy bank where the path exits the wood into the adjacent field, then do some work to make crossing the stream, which runs down through the field, a bit easier.

Blue circle indicates Team 2's worksite.

Team 2 headed to a section of path which although way-marked still needs some steps and a section of revetment. This is a particularly stony slope with many exposed tree roots, so is not the easiest to negotiate. The intention was to put in a couple of steps on the lower section of the path, but the rocky ground made it impossible to knock the wooden stobs in to any depth. It was decided that the best option would be to use pieces of stone (there were plenty of lying around) to form simple steps.

 

Before and after shots of where steps are needed: we managed to get a grab pole 

in place to help walkers on this tricky section.

A second grab pole further up the slope where the exposed tree roots made things difficult.

There is still a section of revetment to be fitted near the top of the path where it has started to erode. We will revisit this area in the next couple of weeks . . .  hopefully when it's a bit drier!