Pesky Stiles: set-back after set-back!
On a day where a patch of blue sky made an early exit in favour of grey, and a cold but light breeze became a cold but light breeze accompanied by persistent drizzle, Paul and Frank H carried out remedial work on two stiles on the footpath (Hebden Royd 022) off Wadsworth Lane (see map).
Today's tasks were funded by Wadsworth Parish Council. Many thanks.
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| 1. The blue 'tag': marks the location of stiles on the path behind Daisy Bank houses. |
A succession of three stiles and a small gate are on the marked section of the above path. Two of these had been reported as requiring attention.
The detail:
First stile:
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| 2. First Stile: The cross-rails, treadboard and step legs all need attention! |
What appeared to be a straightforward task - re-align the cross-rails, dig out the old step legs, install new legs and fit a wider treadboard - turned out to be a strenuous exercise! The damaged treadboard fixed to the partly rotten leg stumps was jammed under the slanting cross-rails and an impressive amount of concrete had been used to form a 'collar' part way down each leg.
Careful excavation was abandoned in favour of the vigorous use of a bolster chisel and lump hammer so eventually holes of the correct depth were created to accept the legs that would support the treadboard. Mmm! That kept us busy!
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| 3. Close quarters: "Once I've got this hole dug, Paul, you can fit the leg while I dig on the other side." |
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| 4. Alignment: "Neat work Paul. Exactly the correct depth and 'spot-on' vertical." |
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| 5. End result: a neat one-step stile ready for its first customer. |
Although a disproportionate amount of effort was needed (tree roots and stumpy remains of old step legs were also an issue) we were pleased with the end result.
Second stile.
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| 6. 'Before' picture: Mmm! "Turner Prize material?" |
This stile had reasonably sound steps and side-uprights but the cross-rails were detached or weirdly askew and the stock fencing was misaligned, badly twisted and (out of shot to the right of picture) flattened into the ground along with a post. We opted for remedial work . . . but a complete replacement may be a future task!
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| 7. Better looking? Yes! Horizontal cross-rails. |
The short length of stock fence to the right of the stile was straightened as best as possible. A flattened fence post was re-embedded (and some bracing fitted) and the stock fence and barbed top-wires re-strung as best as the kinked, twisted and work-hardened strands would allow.
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| 8. Unearthed! Old post and remains of stock fence given a new lease of (very shaky) life! |
Overall, this was a massive improvement over the original . . . and could now be described as adequately functional!
This was a long, finger-freezing, kneeling in the mud, working at odd angles sort of a day! The path has only light usage so remedial work to the other two items, a stile and a small gate, is a low priority task.
More next month when we might be higher up!
