Ryburn - Stile next to Ash Hall Lane

On what felt like the beginning of Summer, Graham, Jerry and Angus set about refurbishing a stile next to Ash Hall Lane, not far from the Calderdale Way. This stile gives access to the grazing pasture below New Farm and a further stile, then joins the path at Water Green Lane. 

This work has been made possible by several kind donations to CROWS. Many thanks to all who have contributed.

The blue circle shows the location of the stile being worked on.

The stile as it was when we arrived. 

On first inspection, the stile looked to be in reasonable condition, but as we removed vegetation and loose cross-rails it became apparent that there was a significant drop on the field side, and very little treadboard on which to gain a safe footing. The other issue was the waymark post which, although providing good hand support, had the flag aligned somewhat hazardously at head level!

We set about removing the old cross-rails then checked the stile supports and waymark post for any signs of rot (especially at ground level). Good news, the stile supports were firm and in good order. Bad news, the waymark post had started to rot, and the flag was mostly illegible - we are still trying to work out what it says!

Graham starts to remove the waymark post. There may be trouble ahead!

The waymark post was well embedded but the rot and its position suggested that it should be replaced and relocated. Excavation was going well until we discovered it was concreted in place with three large nails as 'deadmen'! After much heaving and grunting, we eventually extracted it . . . time for coffee!

Post removed. Time for a coffee and a discussion as to best option.

We decided to fit an extra, lower step on the field side and make use of the old post hole for the step-leg. We reused a redundant fence post to support the existing strainer-post and were then able re-fix the cross rails. In doing so, we could re-cycle sound material from the old stile and reduce the quantity of new timbers . . . and the overall cost.

View from above showing the existing treadboard and the new field-side step.

The finished job . .  . well almost . .  . we will make a new waymark post and relocate it. 

There is another stile requiring attention at the bottom of the field which we will attend to next week. We didn't have sufficient materials to complete this today, and didn't want to compromise the security of the field for the grazing stock. We'll organise a new waymark post and position it more sensibly!