Today, a seven-strong team of Rich, Jerry, Lynda, Jak, Angus, Kris and Nick (a new volunteer) headed to the section of footpath reported by the landowner to have several issues. Although the main task was cutting-back, there was also a stile which required tread-boards and a lot of waymarking; the lack of the later has seen walkers make their way across fields, much to the frustration of the landowner.
Today's work has been funded by the Ryburn Ward Forum to whom we are very grateful.
The red highlight shows the sections of path worked on. The blue circle is the stile.
Jerry and Angus set to work on the stile (this mostly involved digging out dust and rocks) while the rest of the group spread out along the path to start cutting-back the overgrown vegetation. Despite the overgrowth the path is well used, but the lack of waymarks meant that people have chosen their own wandering routes across some sections.
Before and after images of the path beyond the stile, now with a waymark.
Checking levels before fitting the treadboards.
The remains of someone's favourite bench . . . a sad sight.
Another interesting discovery. Any thoughts anyone ??
After lunch, during which a Eurofighter flew low over our heads, we moved to the end of the path where it exits onto Bowood Lane. In the first 50 m of this section there were a lot of brambles, wild raspberries, ferns, low branches and coarse grass that needed clearing.
During this last section of clearing we discovered an overgrown stile to a path which leads to Long Royd Farm. This will require a further visit to make good the stile and check the waymarking up to the farm. Overall we cleared around 550 m of path, added/replaced several waymarks and generally made the path easier to follow by all who use it.
The entrance to the path off Birks Lane (before and after).
Nice to be treated to a fly-past by a Eurofighter!
