BLACKSHAW HEAD: Flying the flag for CROWS

 Blackshaw Head Fete: CROWS in a field!

The Fete at Blackshaw Head saw some changes from recent years - principally  a different location and different weather! The field (slightly bumpier and not as level as in previous years) was directly off the Jack Bridge road, about 250 m beyond the chapel (see map). The weather was blustery, blowing in from the South-West and carrying with it a distinct threat of rain.

1. Map: Location (approximate) of Fete events.

CROWS worked in shifts for this event. A 'collection' team (Kasher, Stella and Frank H) transported the gazebo, table, seats, display boards and other stall material from the depot and, with the help of Ginny, set up the 'pitch' which was close to the dog events paddock, the children's activity area and the fell race finish - all of which attracted a steady stream of participants or spectators.

2. Stall set up: Frank, Ginny & Stella awaiting the 1.00 pm start.

3. It begins! The visitors arrive . . . some of
them more unusual than others . . . 

4. . . . but just the thing to keep Stella amused.

A flexible rota, also including David and Mick, meant the pitch could be supervised but volunteers also had the chance of a walk-around the other stalls and enjoy (or otherwise) the varied entertainments . . .

5. . . . well drilled drumming with 'smoke' effects!

As the afternoon progressed a steady stream of friends, former CROWS, local walkers and interested visitors called in at the stall. CROWS received many compliments on the quality of its work, several enquiries about volunteering, some suggestions for future jobs and several donations to the 'collection' box. Many thanks to all.

By mid-afternoon the breeze had picked-up, clouds darkened and rain became ever more likely. This was when the initial teams handed over to the 'clear up' team (AKA 'likely-to-get-wet, short-straw team!') who would supervise the final session, then dismantle the stall and return all items to the Mytholmroyd depot. 

Mmm! We've not heard from them! Perhaps CROWS long, long run of fine weather fetes has finally come to a soggy end!

More next week from the moor!

TODMORDEN and BLACKSHAW HEAD - A mini clear up session.

 A very hot day to be out and about. David and Kasher thought that they would tackle a growing list of small jobs. Unfortunately many of these small jobs ended up being larger than first thought..... The tasks at the bottom of the list will have to wait until next time. We have also added a few more things to the "to do" list.

Task 1:    Replacing one cross-tread of the bridge on Blackshaw 087 (the path that goes from Hippins to the dam).  We ended up replacing three cross-treads, nailing down many others and hammering in two stobs/poles to replace those that had rotted. This bridge is at least twenty years old and has seen better days! . . .  we may need to consider, at least, sorting out the hand-rail and the anchoring stobs.

Task 2:     Fixing the cross-rail on the stile on Tod 053 near Lower Mount Farm. We made this stile safer and easier to use and then managed to locate the marker post (thought to be lost!) half-way across the next field. We will return to this area to check a few more reported problems.

Task 3: Cutting back on Tod 064. This little-used and narrow path between a wall and a wire fence is too narrow to strim in many places so we resorted to the tried and tested method of sharp shears and strong forearms! The path is now cleared and, for once, dry!

Today's work has been funded by generous individual donation to CROWS. Many thanks. Many thanks also to the residents of Lower Mount Farm who provided welcome refreshments in the heat of the day.

Task 1

Bridge repairs at Hippins Clough.

The Hippins Clough bridge.

Some of the timbers have seen better days.

David and repairs in progress.

Task 2

Stile repairs at Lower Mount Farm.

An interesting stile in need of a little TLC.

David trying to remove barbed wire and staples.

A slightly more appealing stile!

Task 3

Tod 064 near Hartley Royd.

David doing battle with the midges and the vegetation.

Kasher managing to strim the wider sections of 
Tod 064.

The cleared path.

We will be working on the path near here 
very soon. The Bridleway is completely
overgrown.

BLACKSHAW HEAD, WIDDOP..... and many locations in-between!

 The day started on a sombre note for Neil D and Kasher as we watched the swallows gather together on telegraph wires to start their long journey back home (or is this home??).

In March we drive round lanes and tracks of the Upper Calder Valley putting up 'Ground Nesting Bird' posters . . . and now, in August, we drive around the same tracks removing these posters. All would be well . . . if only we could remember exactly where we had put them!

Thanks to the many landowners and walkers who have also put up these eye catching posters. If you could now help to take them down it would be really appreciated.

While we out we also did a litter collection. The waste and rubbish which had been wantonly discarded along the verges and ditches of the roads (especially beyond Blake Dean) completely filled the back of our vehicle.

We also improved some way marking and identified a number of other tasks which needed to go on the "to do" list - the next few weeks are going to be busy.

Today's work has been funded by very generous individual donations to CROWS. Many thanks.

First find your poster . . . this one was near Blake Dean.

Neil D removing this year's posters.

One more to be removed at the NT car park.

A gate to be repaired in the near future.

Neil sorting out some way-marking.

TODMORDEN and BLACKSHAW HEAD - Various

 There were three teams out from Todmorden today:

Team 1: RJ and Neil Mc returned to Scaitcliffe Woods on Tod 082 to install a few more steps, clear the footpath area to expose hidden steps (and stobs), widen the path near the steep drop and measure up for the revetments (soon to be replaced).

Team 2: Catherine and Kasher acted as porters for team 3 by carrying timber and tools to Staups Moor and the bridge which was repositioned by last Friday's work party. Then they went to the upper reaches of BS 044 to replace two rotten steps and cut back the vegetation which was making this short section unwalkable. Finally they  moved on to Tod 177 above Haugh Road to cut back the vegetation on the lower reaches of this path.

Team 3: Mick, Ken and Gareth returned to Staups Moor to a) build a step platform onto the repositioned  bridge and b) install two short legs to a stile on BS 044.

Today's work was funded by Todmorden Town Council and by individual donations to CROWS. Many thanks.

Thanks too to Andrew Mossman of Daisy Bank Barn for providing additional timbers to complete the step platform near the bridge and for allowing us to park at his house.

Team 1:

Steps to be replaced in Scaitcliffe Wood.

RJ and one small section of the steps replaced today.

Team 2: 

Tod 177 at the end of Hough Road.

Steps to be replaced on BS 044

Catherine cutting back on BS044.

Tod 177 in need of cutting back . . .
. . . the raspberries are out of control!

Team 3:

The location of the construction work on BS 044: bridge and stile.

Carrying timber and tools to the worksites.

New step legs added to the stile on BS 044.

Ken and Mick constructing the step platform.

Gareth trying out the step platform.

BLACKSHAW HEAD - Staups Moor

 What could be better than playing around in cool water on a dry, warm (and muggy) Summer's day? A team of Andrew, Neil Mc, Mick, RJ, Catherine and Kasher ventured onto Staups moor in Blackshaw Head to sort out two bridges.

Bridge 1: This bridge over the clough on Blackshaw 044 had been constructed by CROWS a number of years ago. Unfortunately because of drainage work further up the clough this bridge became undermined so it moved off its bearers to become embedded further downstream. 

The position of the wooden bridge.

The bridge washed away from its original position.

The bridge at the beginning of the day.

Plans A to D (and beyond!) being discussed...

Catherine doing porter duties across Staups moor.

Raising the bridge from the clough and cutting off the
original anchoring stobs . . . but can we carry it?

. . . Never in doubt. The bridge now in its new position.

We had had to wait until the water levels were low and the bridge had dried out before trying to lift and reposition it. Thankfully the team manage flexed their muscles and repositioned the bridge without having to dismantle then rebuild. We will return, however, to construct a step-up on to the bridge and to improve the nearby stile.

We are still not sure what effect the new drainage works may have on this bridge but this repositioning and anchoring should make it resistant to being washed away in future floods. 

Bridge 2: When the Daisy Bank Clough packhorse bridge was partially rebuilt in the summer of 2024, the dry-stone wallers positioned a large stone in the clough just downstream of the bridge. Unfortunately, this caused a build-up of debris and silt that has blocked the water flow under the bridge. CROWS cleared the silt in February 2025 but the build-up has recurred. Our task today was to remove all debris and reconfigure the channel so water will flow freely under the bridge.

The location of the packhorse bridge over Daisy Bank Clough.

i) Debris packing up behind the large stone.

ii) Similar view of blockage caused by washed-down debris.

Catherine clearing the clough downstream.

Catherine and a clearer channel.

The blockage debris that was cleared from under the bridge.

End result: a clear channel under the bridge.

RJ and Andrew on the packhorse bridge.

Today's work has been funded by individual donations to CROWS. Many thanks to all.

BLACKSHAW HEAD - Calderdale Way

 Andrew, David and Kasher replaced a small dilapidated boardwalk on the Calderdale Way between Great Rock and Hippins Bridge on Blackshaw 055.

The boardwalk was short, with 2.2 m stringers, and crosses a small goit on Staups Moor. We were not able to park the vehicle close to the job so had a significant carry of timbers and tools to the worksite. When we started to dismantle the old boardwalk we wondered how it had managed to stay together! Rot was extensive in one of the stringers and all of the cross-treads had seen better days.

On a day that had ideal weather for walking, we saw no-one neither on this path nor on the bridleway which runs at right angles to the Calderdale Way. Where have all the walkers, horse riders and cyclists gone?

Today's work has been funded by Calderdale Ramblers. Many thanks.

The Calderdale Way above Hippins and the site of the new boardwalk.

The old boardwalk with cross-treads in poor condition.

Close-up: damage and decay.

The dismantling begins: Andrew in work mode.

Positioning and levelling: teamwork from Andrew and David.

Synchronised hammering: Cross-treads being nailed in place.

Anchoring stobs being hammered in place. They
ensure the boardwalk remains fixed and level.

The new boardwalk - complete with
side trims and staples.

End of session: Andrew in relax mode!