DODD NAZE: Heavy-duty digging for a stile!

On an ever-warming summer's day, Ian S, Steve and Frank H worked on replacing a one-step stile on the right-of-way (Wadsworth 079) that forms part of the path that goes NE from Manor Drive (on the Dodd Naze estate) towards Sandy Gate Lane (see Map).

1. Worksite marked by blue 'pin'.

The problem:

The original stile looked like this:

2. View from Manor Drive side:

3. View from Field side:

This much overgrown one-step stile had a very long, partly rotten, sagging treadboard wedged at one end into a stone pillar 'keyhole' (picture 2) and supported at the other by a decayed step leg. 

Additionally the top-rail was far too high above the step treadboard, and the right-hand side-post (picture 3), which doubled as part of the stockfencing structure, had some evidence of decay.

The solution:

i)  Cut-back overgrowth

ii)  Brace the weak side-post with a vertical stob and a diagonal strut.

iii) Dig out the field-side step leg, dig a new hole for a Manor Drive-side step leg and install two new step legs to accommodate a slightly higher treadboard.

iv) Lower the top rail very slightly and embed 'take-off/landing stones to act as 'first' steps.

v)  Put a protective sleeve over the exposed barbed wire where it is attached to the right-hand side-post (picture 2).

Phew! Here's how the job went:

4. First tasks: Overgrowth cleared. Stile side-post
braced vertically and diagonally.

5. Out with the old: Decayed 
treadboard and step-leg removed

The excavation of holes for new step legs was a prolonged and very strenuous task. The remnants of the field-side leg were deeply and firmly buried. The new hole on the other side revealed remnants of two old legs also deeply and firmly buried! 

Two + hours later after much barring, digging, battering and the cunning use of hauling straps the old timbers were out and the new step-legs installed. Take-off/landing stones were embedded and the approach area to the stile was tidied.

6. In with the new i : Manor Drive side view.

7. In with the new ii : Field side view.

Today's job was funded by Calderdale Ramblers and General Donations to CROWS. Many thanks for your support. Enjoy using the stile.

Today was energy-sapping and a disproportionate amount of time (and effort) was expended before any progressive construction work could begin. It was a relief to finished the task and finally start ferrying tools and spare timbers back to the vehicle . . . but . . . 

8. "Hi Steve, Going right here instead of left is
the shortest way back to the vehicle . . ."
"Steve! Steve!, I said right not left . . . 
. . . Ah, well! Enjoy the walk! Mmm!"

 More in a week or two when it might be steps near Hebden Water. Good for a lunchtime paddle?

TODMORDEN - A day of many tasks

 There was a team of seven out from Todmorden today.

The main task of the day was to build a new two-step stile on a fence line crossing Tod 095 above Lydgate.  All of the team carried timber and tools for this work which we delegated to Frank H, Dunstan and Gareth! Please see the separate Blog for their exploits.

After carrying items needed for the stile across an exceptionally slippery hillside, the team of four (Andrew, Catherine, Kasher and Neil Mc) then tried to locate the elusive Tod 095 as it plummeted down the hillside, emerging onto the main Burnley Road immediately opposite Lydgate Post Office. We have cut-back this route and trimmed a path which should make it easier to follow. We are extremely grateful to 'persons unknown' for cutting back the first section of the path - you did an amazing job!

We will need to return to firm up a few yellow-topped posts along this route.

The team then split up with Kasher and Neil Mc going to Cornholme and fettling-up the seat on Pudsey Road. This bench was installed in memory of one of our CROWS colleagues who died in 2020. The wooden seat was sanded down and then given a new coat of wood preservative/stain. It now looks so much better. Sit awhile, admire the views, look at the nearby harebells and remember Gerald King.

Andrew and Catherine travelled to Bridestones to work on an open access stile (between Bridestones and Golden Stones) which had been reported as being slightly loose. The team have firmed-up this stile and levelled the treadboard to make it even easier to use!.

The quartet then met up to finish the cutting back on Tod BW 059 and Tod FP 059 from the 'dinosaur' at Shore to Pitts. We have had two previous work parties on this route and this session completes our work here for this summer. The route is clear and much easier to use. However, if you are walking this way please take some secateurs to cut-back the fast-growing brambles!

Today's work has been jointly funded by Calderdale Highways and by Todmorden Wind Farm through CFFC (Community Foundation for Calderdale). Many thanks.

The path from the main road in Lydgate up towards the new stile.

Stile repairs at Bridestones.

Cutting-back the path between Shore and Pitts.

Cutting-back on Tod 095 above Lydgate:

Catherine clearing the steps at the bottom of Tod 095.

Andrew and Catherine trying to clarify the 
direction of the path.

Cutting back . . .  Andrew and Neil Mc in action.

Brilliant views from this path.

The bench on Pudsey Road

Clearing the vegetation from near Gerald's seat . . .
taking care to avoid the harebells.

The fettled-up seat. The 'wet paint' signs have now been removed!

Sorting out the Bridestones Stile

Andrew: and "where do we start with this??"

Progress has been made. A strengthened upright and
an easier to use stile.

Cutting back between Shore and Pitts

Neil: the final section to be cut back.

The FP to Pitts (before)

The FP to Pitts (after).

The final section of the bridleway now cut-back.

TODMORDEN: Stile building on the slippery slopes above Lydgate

 Lydgate: Steeps paths and a tricky stile

On a multi-working party day. Gareth, Dunstan and Frank H worked in ever-increasing heat to install a stile where the right-of-way (Todmorden 095) crosses a stock fence to drop down to Lydgate (see Map).

1. Worksite marked with blue 'pin'.

 Fortunately, thanks to landowner's permission, we were able to get a vehicle with tools and materials reasonably near to the worksite thereby reducing the carrying distance across awkward slopes. Kasher, Neil Mc, Catherine and Andrew helped with load hauling before diverting to their own tasks. Phew! Thanks.

2. Beasts of burden! . . . but well balanced.

3. Brew time . . . then it's off to our different tasks

The detail.

The right-of-way is clearly signed but any trace of a previous stile had disappeared although the direction is marked with a r-o-w disk. The task therefore was to install a stile to get walkers safely across a well-installed and correctly-tensioned stock fence. 

4. Before: Lovely views . . . here's the stock fence . . . 
. . . but where's the stile!

The plan was to make this virtually a one-step stile on the upslope side and a definite two-step on the downslope with the side-uprights being in the line and plane of the existing stock fence . . . all without removing any of the excellent fence. Here's how the job went:

5. Short side-post hole: 750 mm depth.
"Keep digging, Dunstan!"

6. Taller side-post hole: 900 mm depth. There's
some lee-way, Gareth, if you hit bedrock!

7. Not a snooze: but a full-stretch excavation!

8. Step-leg hole: Heavy bar needed to
break up the impacted rocky ground.

9. Cross-rails: Top and bottom cross-rails
being fixed in place.

10. Fine adjustments: sizing-up the treadboard.

11. Nearly there. Another cross-rail and further
treadboard adjustments.

12. Will it take a load? "Never in doubt" says Frank!

The perspective is deceptive in the final picture. The ground slopes down towards and beyond the stile so walkers coming up hill have a 300 mm step-up on to the first treadboard then another 300 mm step-up onto the second treadboard before a 400 mm swing-of-the-leg over the top rail . . . just as recommended in 'British Standards for Stiles'.

Although working conditions were not ideal - rising temperatures, slippery slopes, hard impacted ground and a slight compromise of build to accommodate the alignment of the stock fencing - we were pleased with the end result. The stile is secure, stable and can certainly take an 85 kg load!

Today's work was paid for by Calderdale Highways. Many thanks.

Ryburn - Fallen branch along Stubbing Lane.

Following a call from a local horse rider, Jak, Jerry and Angus headed over to the bridleway along Stubbing lane at Beestonley. Over the weekend, the strong winds had taken their toll on an Oak tree, causing one of its branches to break and fall onto the bridleway. Whilst you could pass through the fallen branch, it was somewhat precarious and needed to be cleared. This work was funded by Calderdale Highways.

Location of the fallen branch circled in blue.

Jerry and Angus set about carefully dismantling the branch, Jak acting as look-out to stop any walkers/riders entering the work area. Within 45 minutes the branch had been removed, and the path was once again safe to use. We spent a further hour cutting back vegetation which had started to encroach at various points, mostly brambles and nettles.

 

Before and after images of the path, you can see where the branch at broken from the tree.

With the cutting back work finished, Jerry and Jak headed to Rough Hey wood to complete work on the stile started last Friday. This was to make-good some local alterations which made the passage over the stile somewhat hazardous, replacing an old piece of wood and a length of barbed wire with more suitable lengths of wood.

Jerry checking access/egress following the alterations, all good!

 

Rough Hey wood looking great, plenty wildflowers and no Himalayan Balsam!

Rough Hey work was  funded by ongoing donations to CROWS, for which we are eternally grateful.

CRAGG VALE - around and about

 Andy, Ginny and Rich had five jobs to sort:

• A drainage problem and waymarking near Stoney Royd Farm
• A reported problem with a kissing gate at New Bridge
• Drainage on the riverside path near Clough Bridge 
• Levelling a path and sorting a collapsed stile on the riverside path towards Dauber Bridge 

Today's work was funded by a generous donation from Cragg Vale Community Association. 

PATH ALONG THE EDGE OF BELL HOUSE MOOR

A lovely path connecting Heseltine Lane and Dick's Lane - the most amazing views of the valley!

The path was sinking into the mire in a couple of places. In one place we were able to uncover some sunken stones to create a dry route. In both spots we needed to direct people towards the wall to access a relatively dry route. 

 DRAINAGE ON THE RIVERSIDE PATH

A periodic visit to clear out a ditch that was over-topping onto the path -it should dry out soon! Extra waymarking was done at the path junction. 

PATH LEVELLING AND STILE SORTING

The narrow path heading towards Dauber Bridge was tricky to walk along. The bank was cut back and made more level. Further along, the stile had totally collapsed across the path. The post and rails were removed as it was no longer needed for stock control. 

 

 

TODMORDEN and BLACKSHAW HEAD - various

 On a day when it was forecast to be extremely hot Duncan and Kasher decided to have an early start to a cutting back session. CROWS have been contracted to cut back a number of sections of the Pennine Bridle Way. Today we tackled Bow Lane (Blackshaw BW 025), taking care to minimise the cutting back of the statuesque foxgloves along the track. As usual the section nearest the road required more effort (with more trees and brambles to cut back) but thankfully this section was in the shade.

Earlier in the week Ken, Mick and Kasher had been out surveying for future work parties, cutting back vegetation near marker posts which were hidden in the undergrowth, replacing flags on fingerposts and checking on previous tasks where additional work may be needed .

Today's work was funded by Lancashire County Council on behalf of the Pennine Bridleway. Many thanks to all for your support in helping to keep the footpaths and bridleways of the Upper Calder Valley open.

Today's cutting back was along Bow Lane, marked with a blue "pin".

The top of the lane where the brambles were rampant.

The grassy lower reaches of the track looking down into
Colden.

The track after it was cut back.

We tried not to cut back the foxgloves.

Duncan cutting back over hanging holly, laurel,
beech etc.

The stile between Bridestones and Golden Stones
which needs attention.

We will be adding a stile here:
a footpath above Lydgate.

A new flag inserted on the fingerpost near 
Lower Mount Farm.

The willows we planted in land near Ashenhurst 
appear to have taken.