Ryburn - Stile replacement off Birks Lane.

A wet and windy Friday saw Eleanor, Linda, Jerry and Angus head up to a footpath leading off Birks Lane above Mill Bank, where it was considerably blustery . . . and very wet! 

Spirits undampened (unlike our clothing) we unloaded tools and materials and started work clearing the entrance to the path off the lane. The jobs were to make the entrance to the path more accessible, replace the stile and do further cutting back at the start of a second path near Bowood Farm. We are grateful to Ripponden Parish Council whose funding allowed this work to be done. Thank you.

The blue circles show today's work locations.

Battling the strong wind and scything rain, Eleanor and Linda set about cutting back the overgrowth at the edge of the lane, whilst Jerry and Angus started to dismantle the old stile and connecting fence. The wind made keeping the cut material under control a challenge and as Jerry and Angus started digging holes for the new posts, the dry earth was whipped up by the wind so they were soon cover in a thin film of mud.

Two views of the stile to be replaced. The images don't really show how wet and windy it was.

Starting work to clear the entrance to the path and to improve sightlines.

Linda in full "step clearing" mode.

Unfortunately, once cleared, the lower section of steps was found to be non-existent!

Once most of the old stile timbers had been removed, we dug out the rotten bases of the posts and set about measuring up the available space in order to fit a single-step stile and dog gate. With a very old fence strainer concreted into the ground at one side, and a crumbling wall at the other side, it was going to be a tricky fit! 

Fortunately the digging was fairly easy (if a bit dusty) and we soon got the basic stile structure as we wanted.

Jerry, rigged for foul weather, positioning the treadboard supports.

After clearing the vegetation, Eleanor and Linda headed along to Bowood Farm to fit new waymarks and attack a section of footpath overgrown with nettles. The remainder of this path is clear and follows the field wall down to Mill Bank. 

Just as we were finishing, the weather started to clear and the warm breeze that replaced the rain soon dried us out.

Linda checking the stile and the action of the dog-gate.

Angus fitting a CROWS information plaque.

The finished job . . .  now with blue sky and glorious sunshine!

 Despite the weather, this was a successful day but we will need to return and sort out the missing steps that should lead down to the lane. If you are walking this route, take care when exiting onto the lane (especially if it is wet) as the lack of steps makes this section quite slippery.