Colden, Edge Lane - stile
On a gloriously clear, warm (and getting warmer!) Spring day, Ian S and Frank H worked on the right-of-way Heptonstall 025 where it leads up from Lower Fold to cross Edge Lane. At this point (see map) there is a wobbly stile and then the path heads North East before trending East (ish) to pass behind a ruined dam.
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| 1. Position of stile needing extensive work. |
The Detail
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| 2. Stile before work began. |
At first glance this seems to be a reasonable structure . . . but closer examination revealed:
i) All vertical posts (bar one) are totally rotten at ground level.
ii) Both treadboards are damaged.
iii) The left-hand side-post is ingeniously anchored by a twist of baler twine weighted down by a wall capping stone before being tied to a fence post on the other side of the drystone wall!
iv) The right-hand side-post is held in place by a short batten linking it to the substantial railway-sleeper gate post.
Mmm! Time for a complete re-build. The work begins:
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| 3. Several whacks with a lump hammer, later! |
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| 4. Rotten ends - a few examples |
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| 5. Progress: New left-hand side-post, re-cycled right-hand side-post, temporary cross-rail and a step leg being tested for alignment. |
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| 6. End result: View from Edge Lane side. |
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| 7. End result: View from field side. |
We were pleased with the end result. The stile's width is constrained by wall and gate-post and its access is partly screened by the telegraph pole. However, careful alignment of the steps now makes it much easier to negotiate and new cross-rails are correctly spaced to deter livestock.
All it needs now is a load test . . .
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| 8. Testing, testing: . . . but don't step over, Ian, until we've moved the drill! |
Some of this work was heavy going. The original posts and legs were not all installed deeply enough, so we had to batter holes into rocky, resistant ground to improve hole depth - sweat flowed freely and layer after layer of clothing was shed! However, the sky was blue, the views extensive and much appreciation was expressed by numerous cyclists, runners, walkers and local residents who passed along the lane.
The work was funded by a donation from The 'Moors the Merrier Fell Race' (Cragg Runners). Many thanks for your support.
