WADSWORTH

Pecket Well Playground

Frank S, Andy and Paul were out on Wednesday to work on a permissive footpath in Pecket Well; the main access path to Pecket Well playground. It starts by the council owned garages near Pecket Bar and slopes downhill toward the play area. The path is subject to water damage coming from the high banking on the road side, particularly at the bottom end that had become a treacherous quagmire. Last year we dug a drainage channel to tackle this problem and this has allowed this muddy area to dry out. Today's task was to reinforce the drainage channel and to build a short flight of steps to enable safer passage through the troublesome area.

This work was funded by Wadsworth Parish Council - a big thank you!

Key pointer to the worksite

The path becomes overgrown annually with invasive Himalayan Balsam. This year local residents had cut back this incursion to make the path accessible; an action that made clearing out the channel much easier.

Drainage channel? In there somewhere!

The path itself, however, was accessible and dry

Bottom end of path.

Frank S and Andy set about measuring up for the steps:

Andy starting the steps.

Meanwhile Paul dug out the mowed cuttings as preparation for installing an edging to the new drainage channel:

Ground prepared for new channel

Frank and Andy slogged away at making the steps -m digging through a stubborn gravelly surface was the biggest problem!.

Andy at work

We were fortunate with the weather although the sunny intervals brought out swarms of flies which took a liking to Paul, much to the hilarity of Frank and Andy! (No flies on them!).

Two lengths of edging installed.

A flight of six steps was completed along with the fitting of three lengths of revetment to support the drainage channel.

New drainage channel completed.

New flight of steps.

TODMORDEN - Scaitcliffe Wood

 The work on the steps through Scaitcliffe Wood continues. Today Andrew, Jerry and Kasher worked at the top of Scaitcliffe Wood and replaced eight steps on Tod 082. We also cleared the leaves and debris from the steps further down the path so we could judge how many more wooden risers needed replacing! On our next visit to Scaitcliffe Wood we will also need to complete the infilling of the final two steps put in today. 

We will also try to tackle the misalignment of some of the stone steps - a task needing careful planning and a few strong people with crowbar skills.

Many thanks to the residents of Flailcroft who allowed us to park in their yard thus making the distance we had to carry tools and timber more manageable. 

Today's work has been funded by Todmorden Town Council. Many thanks for your continued support.

Tod 082 through Scaitcliffe Wood.

Andrew and Jerry removing rotten step risers
at the start of the day.

Many of the steps are well camouflaged! . . .  and the stobs
are a major trip hazard.

Broken step risers in the soft light of the morning.

Hole being prepared for another stob.

Andrew sorting out the penultimate step (for the day).

The final step being sorted.

A pleasing flight of new steps.

WALSDEN: Cranberry Dam area - Stile 2 continued: adventures with alignment . . . and a good rinse.

 Ramsden Farm area: Border country again for Stile 2.

Overhead clouds threatened rain as Ian S, Duncan and Frank H worked on rebuilding a fourth stile leading off the rough track that goes from Ramsden Lane towards Horse Pastures. This stile is accessed from the short boardwalk that was refurbished earlier (see blog for 20th August).

1. Location of worksite shown by blue 'tag'

Today's work was funded by Todmorden Wind Farm through CFFC (Community Foundation For Calderdale). Many thanks.

The Detail.

The original stile is as follows:

2. Original structure

At first glance there seems little to be wrong with this stile but, on closer inspection the treadboards and the top of the right-hand side post were found to be rotten and further extensive decay was evident as shown in the the following pictures:

3. Base of one side post.

4. Mid section of other side post.

As some of the cross-rails (not quite horizontal) were in fragile condition it was decided to replace the whole stile. The work begins . . . 

5. More open than usual!

Except for the step legs which were sound, all old timbers were removed then new side-posts were embedded (much deeper than previously) and substantial cross-rails fixed in place. Linking this new structure to the old, more-than-slightly-out-of-true timbers was the technical challenge for the day!

However, a few hours later:

6. Brand-new two-step stile and inclined boardwalk.

 The stile passed the stress-test (courtesy of Duncan) and was judged to be safe, secure, easily negotiated and aesthetically pleasing. What more could the walker, bound for open access land, want?

We tidied the site, packed-up tools and then set-off towards Cranberry Dam to check on any alignment issues for next week's triple boardwalk task. It's perhaps a 15 min walk - just enough time for the heavens to open and give us a soaking . . . Happy Days!

RYBURN - Rough Hey Wood

Monday was a return to Rough Hey Wood for further improvement to the footpath that runs from the Calderdale Way through to Longley Lane. The team consisted of Ginny, Stella, Jerry and Jak. 

The tasks to be resolved were a stile replacement on the boundary of the wood leading up to Butterworth End and Butterworth End Lane together with further vegetation clearance to the footpaths within the wood. Access to the site through farmland was again provided by local landowner Richard Crowther of Far Barsey Farm. Many thanks once again as this enabled our 4 x 4 to off load material and tools at the work site.

This work was again funded by a very kind donation by the Russell family. Many thanks from all of us at CROWS and from an increasing number of walkers of the path who appreciate the work being undertaken.

 

The main issue today was that the original rotten timber stile had been completely removed and had been replaced by the landowner's boundary fence. The current 'stile' consisted of two vertical timber posts with two horizontal metal bars acting as step irons. This construction whilst stock proof was difficult to traverse. This was compounded as the distance between the fence posts was only 550mm.

The removal of the horizontal metal bars and temporary removal of the barbed wire

Installing the stile legs

Tread boards and braces in

Cross rails in, barbed wire reconnected, landing stone in place and the testing of the stile

We will need to return to this stile to provide additional protection to the exposed barbed wire that abuts the stile posts

TODMORDEN - Swineshead Clough

Ian V & Gareth made the first of 2 planned visits to the flight of stone steps descending from Lumbutts Road to Knowlwood Road (off Rochdale Road) via Swinsehead Clough.

The job was to clear away the soil & grass now covering much of the steps, making them safer to descend.  Starting at the bottom, we got about halfway up the flight.  However, the further up you go, the more they are covered, and the higher steps may be a challenge to complete in one visit.  We shall see…

Today’s work was funded by Todmorden Town Council.  Thanks as always.

Today’s location

The “before” photo.

Looking down from halfway up. 

Ian reaches the top (or rather halfway).

Finishing touches.

More work ahead.

TODMORDEN - Bean Hole

A team of four (Catherine, Duncan, Kasher and RJ) spent today cutting back Long Lane (Tod Bridleway 031).

This well-used bridleway has not had such an extensive "haircut" for a few years. The brambles, thankfully with very few blackberries left to pick, completely dominated some sections of the route. There were also a large number of small trees which, had they not been cut back, would have caused problems in future years. We have, where possible, removed overhanging branches to make this route much safer for horse riders and mountain bikers alike. 

We will return, later in the autumn, to the end of the bridleway near to Baulk Head to see if we can, once and for all, sort out the drainage issues.

Many thanks to the residents of the house at the end of the bridleway who kindly allowed us to park in their yard.

Today's work has been funded by Todmorden Town Council. Many thanks for your continuing support.

 

The bridleway above Bean Hole Wood.

The seat near to the top of the bridleway.

The path gets narrower and narrower....

RJ and Catherine in cutting back mode.

Brambles and trees getting a haircut.

The cleared track down from the bench.

Duncan and Catherine on their way
back up the cleared track.

End of session: Certainly a wider and clearer track.

RIPPONDEN - riverside path

Following the comprehensive waymark completed recently, 3 jobs for Jak and Jerry to do today, two new bits of waymarking and clearing off a fallen fence that was a trip hazard. Today's work was funded by the Russell family. 

 The sheep fencing had been on the floor for a long time but it was a trip hazard. The fence was dug up, rolled up and removed.  

Removing the fence from the mud

Rolling it up before removal

A waymark post was added at the end of the tarmac section of the path. Then on to Pretoria Bridge where there is a junction of paths that needed waymarking. 

TODMORDEN: Warland-Gaddings footbridge 2025

 Warland-Gaddings: Across the boggy moor

On a day forecast to deliver showers, light rain, heavy rain and thunder, a team comprising Andy, Angus, Frank H, Guy, Ian S, Jak, Jerry and Kasher embarked on building a boardwalk to bridge another sinking section of the popular Warland to Gaddings path (see map).

1. Map: the blue 'tag' is the approximate location

The detail:

There is much preparatory work for this type of task: e.g. initial surveys, liaising with landowners, obtaining access keys, ordering materials, cutting timbers, shaping and pre-drilling where possible, and organising tools, fixings and transport. 

It's just under 5 km along gated reservoir tracks to reach the A58 then another 10 km back to the CROWS depot in Mytholmroyd - a time consuming round trip if essential items are forgotten!

Happily, today, efficient planning and co-ordination meant everything went smoothly. Phew!

Here's a picture sequence of the task.

1. In the workshop: Over 100 timber items to
cut and several hundred holes to drill! (good
technique, Ken; correct stance, eye on task,
ears protected and stable workpiece).

2. CALVAG: Reliable as always in getting timbers to the
end of Warland Reservoir before a scenic return journey . . . 

. . . 3. alongside reservoirs at their lowest!

4. The transfer: All timbers (the stringers are 6.0 m long)
go onto the ATV (many thanks) to be dragged across
the moor to the worksite.

5. Sinking path: irretrievably disappearing into the mire!

6. Drainage: semi-temporary channels lower the 
water level. Mmm. It soon comes back!

7. Work begins: getting the pre-drilled stringers in the correct sequence.

8. Handrail posts: double-bolted to the stringers.

9. Assembly in the mist: The three stringers, cross-braced with
noggins, will have a handrail on one side.

10. Noggins: These 'tie' the stringers together 
to give a strong rigid structure.

11. Cross-tread time! 36 needed with 25 mm spacing.

12. Cross-treads from the other end.
Mmm! What happens in the middle?

13. Crows in a row: Lunchtime . . . with . . . 

. . . 14. Clearing skies i): Stoodley Pike comes into view and . . .

. . . 15 Clearing skies ii): for the keen-eyed 
a distant wind turbine array.

16. Anchors: Six 'stobs' (of varying sizes) on either
side. These help fix the boardwalk in place.
The one being hammered in is 2.4 m long!

17. Final tasks: Edge trims fitted, handrails screwed to
posts, diagonal brace fixed to exposed side-post, step-over
rail in place, cross-treads stapled to improve underfoot
grip and Angus phoning - for a pizza?

18. Team photo . . .  and stress-test for bridge and rails!

We were very happy with the outcome. The job went smoothly. No-one (and no tools!) disappeared into the 2.0+ m of bog, and the footbridge is sturdy, safe and aesthetically pleasing. The weather was no more than drizzly . . . until we set off (loaded with equipment) back to the vehicles when we got a thorough rinsing in a sharp, heavy shower. However, this petered out on the way back to give us a chance to . . .

19. . . . see how low the reservoir was and . . .

20  . . . spot a small amphibian (common frog)
clinging to the reservoir wall.

Today's work was funded by Calderdale Highways who, despite budget constraints, endeavour to maintain Calderdale's extensive rights-of-way network.