Ryburn - Return to Birks Lane.

As promised on last week's blog, Linda, Jerry and Angus returned to Birks Lane to work on the access from the stile onto the road. As predicted, the previous day's rain had made the slope treacherous.

Initially, we considered building stone steps, but the lack of suitable materials made this a non-starter, so we opted for wooden risers secured by lengths of rebar. As with last week's work, this was funded by Ryburn Parish Council, to whom we are extremely grateful.

Blue circle at Birks Lane is where the steps were constructed.

 

No steps! Just a slippery slope. After an hour, things are looking a lot safer!

With such stony ground, using wooden stobs was a non-starter, using rebar which can be hammered into the ground, forcing its way between the stones, gives a strong anchor which can be stapled to the step risers. While Linda and Angus set-to with the steps, Jerry repaired parts of the wall above the steps removing and repositioning a number of loose stones.

The finished job, complete with a yellow-topped grab post (which 

will also serve to alert road users).

We then went to the top of the path where we had previously built a stile (generously paid for by the landowner, Mr Ian Boulger). There was a second job to be done on his land (marked by the other blue circle on the previous map) where a crossing point through/over a wall/fence takes the path into some woodland towards Cottonstones.

On inspection, we discovered that the treadboard and one of the step-legs had rotted through; the wall was in poor condition and the fence posts were only held in place by the stock fence!

A tricky crossing, fraught with challenges.

After discussion with Mr Boulger, we decided that as there was no stock in the adjoining fields (and it was unlikely there would be) the best solution was to cut a gap in the fence and rebuild the wall but with an access gap. 

Linda started cutting back the overgrown vegetation to get some light on the job, whilst Jerry and Angus assessed the best way to dismantle the existing structure. 

Angus considers the options for this wall/fence/stile conundrum.

 

Decisions made! Linda and Jerry get to grips with rebuilding the decrepit wall.

We left an original post in place as it was ideally positioned for waymarks. The gap in the wall soon took shape, new posts were embedded, the fence tensioned and fixed to the posts. In the future, if the fields are to be restocked, it would be simple enough to fit a gate or a stile into this gap.

The weather was considerably calmer than last week, though when it did rain, Mr Boulger brought us very welcome cups of coffee! Hooray!

Another satisfying day's work completed.

TODMORDEN: Below Stones Lane: Gate tlc

 Middle of Nowhere! Again!

Right-of-way Todmorden 102 traverses the hillside and runs approximately parallel to and between Stones Lane and the Bacup Road (see map). It's a longish walk from either end to reach the worksite but fortunately we had the landowner's permission to access the stile by walking directly down from Stones Lane.

Today's task, funded by Todmorden Town Council, was for Stella and Frank to replace a gap-gate on this right-of-way (see map for location).

1. Location: on pasture just above Stones Wood

The Details.

The public footpath passes through a series of walled fields and, at the worksite, runs just above Stones Wood. At the access point there is a typical South Pennine pedestrian gate (constructed with an eye to economy) but now on its last legs . . . . or more accurately on its last hinges!

2. Failing fast: Rotten gatepost, damaged or
missing palings, and fragmenting
rubber hinges made from old tyres.

3. Ingenious hinges!

The plan for Stella and Frank was to install a complete replacement with gatepost, gate (constructed in CROWS' workshop) fitted with T-hinges, a closure spring and a security loop. Thanks to Kasher and David who helped with a tool and timber carry before moving on to their own jobs.

Fortunately, the early sharp rain cleared to give blue skies and calming views near and far.

4. Distant views i: blue skies, scudding light clouds
Stones Wood and temperatures above 20oC.

5. Distant views ii). More sheep than you could shake
a stick (or in our case a posthole spade) at!

A few hours later the replacement gate was complete We were so busy working that we forgot to take 'work in progress' pictures . . . but here's one of the end result (compare with picture 2!).

6. New gate and fitments.

Overall, we were very happy with the outcome. The gate is secure, stable, easy for pedestrians to use and aesthetically pleasing . . . not that the sheep seemed to notice!

More next week on other tasks along this route.

TODMORDEN - Various

 Today, Catherine, Kasher, Neil B and Richard A worked together to sort out a few issues and to fettle up a couple of paths near Flailcoft (along Todmorden Edge) and then below the Old Golf House, on Tod 080 as it enters Ewood Wood.

We added more MOT to the steps descending from Flailcroft towards Scaitcliffe Wood (Tod 082). We reinstated the markerpost (again on Tod 082) , cleaned up the boardwalk which was overgrown with vegetation, and cut back the trees (and the odd bramble) on this footpath. We will replace the boardwalk in the near future.

We then moved onto Tod 080 in Ewood Wood to install more revetment and to widen the path. This was a continuation of last Friday's work.

Today's work has been funded by Todmorden Town Council. Many thanks for your continuing support to help maintain and improve the footpaths and bridleways in the Todmorden area.

Many thanks also to the residents of Millers Lodge who again allowed us to park in their garden and who helped carry timbers down to the worksite.

The blue "pin" marks the steps below Flailcroft which were infilled with MOT.

The path into Ewood Wood.

Neil B infilling the steps, built by CROWS
just over three years ago.

The small boardwalk cleared and more staples added.
This boardwalk will need replacing in the near future.

Catherine cutting back the path.

Richard creating the hole to reinstate
the markerpost.

The post back in position.

Sorting out revetments on Tod 080 in
Ewood Wood.

Revetments in place and the path widened.

Catherine and Neil B widening the path near a section
of the new revetment.

WAINSTALLS: 'Mini-gate' on the Calderdale Way

 Calderdale Way: dilapidated 'mini-gate'

On a day enlivened by sharp, sudden, cold showers, Jan and Frank H worked on replacing a 'mini-gate' where the Calderdale Way footpath (Halifax 135) goes over a stile comprising stone wall-steps topped with a 'mini-gate' before descending to continue as a bridleway (Halifax 113) in the direction of the Moorcock Farm (known locally as the old Moorcock Inn).

Today's work will be funded by a donation from the landowner. Many thanks for supporting CROWS.

1. Worksite indicated by blue 'pin'.

2. Aerial view!

The detail.

The 'stile' has seen heavy use by enthusiastic 'Calderdale Way' walkers and runners, so now it looks like this:

3. Before: View from track (bridleway) side.

4. Before: View from field side.

The mini-gate is ramshackle and is fixed by T-hinges to a 'round' post. 

The plan was to remove the whole structure and install a replacement pedestrian gate T-hinged to a square-section post and fitted with a closure spring and a closure loop.

The drystone wall to the left of picture 4 has a castellated top but the section to the right is more haphazard! However, this section (on the closure side of the gap) is stable so will be left untouched.

The existing 'round' gatepost will be re-embedded to form a 'stop-post' that prevents the gate from swinging too far back on its hinges. This post and the new hinge post will be linked by short side-rails and, to enhance stability, the new post will be bracketed to the wall. 

Phew! Time to start digging . . .

5. "Keep digging, Jan." - Longer arms are available!

6. Field side view: New hinge-post deeply
embedded. New gate hung on T-hinges
and fitted with closure loop.

7. Field side view: Hinge-post
fitted with one of the side-rails
which is bracketed to the wall.

8. After: View from track (bridleway) side. 
The right-of-way direction is shown by the
public footpath disk.

9. After: View from field side. Re-cycled 'stop-post'
side-railed to new hinge-post. Closure spring fitted and
a closure loop (anchored to top stone) goes over a gate paling.

We were pleased with the outcome. The hinge-post is very secure and stable. The mini-gate is robust and poses no problems to users of the stile. The Calderdale Way direction (clockwise route) is shown by the existing metal fingerpost which directs walkers towards Moorcock Farm where CROWS have painted the tops of the existing waymarkposts bright yellow . . . no chance of getting lost! Mmm!

TODMORDEN.... Cutting back . . .and the gate saga continues

 Thankfully it was a bright and dry day! There were two teams out from Todmorden:

Team 1.  Duncan and Ken:  returned to the gate on Todmorden 034  (below Stoodley Glen), to try to rehang a gate and to fit both a closure spring and a new latch bar.

Team 2, Kasher and RJ: continued the task of cutting back overgrown footpaths. This time we worked on Tod 007 (below Great Rock/Devil's Rock) in a beautiful, sunken walled-lane with fantastic views to the Pike (and a reliable source of very good blackberries). Today, we even met a few walkers on this path - a rare occurrence!

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

The location of the problematic gate on Tod 034. 

The blue "pin" marks the location of today's cutting back.

Team 1:

The fettling of this gate seems to be causing a few problems. The strong spring which had been fitted meant that the gate was very hard to open; one of the hinges of the gate had broken; the latch bar appears either not to have been fitted or has been broken off and one of the side uprights for this gate was not vertical . . . an interesting mix of problems.

Our challenge was to sort out the gate so that it could easily open; could self-close by means of a correctly fitted spring, and could be latched.

We have made some progress but we will need to return to complete the task! At least there is a gate in place and a hanging loop for people to use to secure the gate. We will be back (soon)!!

Team 2:

We continued cutting back overgrown paths, this time on Tod 007. We will need to  return to cut back the badly overgrown section of path which descends into Common Bank Wood. 

Thankfully the blackberries on the upper section of the path had all finished . . . so we have not deprived people or birds of their annual bramble fix!

Team 1:

The original gate closure spring.

The gate in need of TLC.

The broken bottom hinge now removed.

The gate upright which is not vertical.

The gate in position and with a closure loop. We
will be back to complete this task.

Team 2:

The top of the path, before...

and after.

We have tried to cut back to the walls in places
where the brambles were taking over.

But tried to leave the small oaks which were present.

The route will be easier to walk once the vegetation
has dried. There were lots of trip hazard brambles.

Good views across to the Pike and Sunderland Pasture, where another 
CROWS team were working today.

WADSWORTH - OLD TOWN

 Link Path to Wadsworth Community Centre Old Town

Ginny and Paul were out today in Old Town village repairing fencing on a stretch of footpath (Wadsworth 075) that runs between Westfield Housing Estate and the site of the Community Centre Community Garden. The line of fencing on the side of the Community Garden had sagged outward narrowing the footpath. Four new posts were installed to stablise and secure this bowed section. In addition, time was spent clearing this pathway and the permissive pathway that goes to the rear of the Community Centre.

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

Site map showing said pathways in red.

First task - putting in the posts:

The "bowed" fence line.

This wooden fence has seen better days and we have been here before to install three posts at the foreground end of this photo. The fence's general decay has been exacerbated by heavy items stacked against it by previous garden users. Ideally it needs replacing (though the cost will be high) so today's  intervention may be temporary.

Ginny 'finishing off' by trimming the post tops.

We dug in four new posts and fixed them to the existing 'wobbly' ones. Following this, Paul cleared the mulch off the flagged pathway.

Straight as a die and exceptionally tidy!

Meanwhile, Ginny cleared the overgrown flagged pathway that leads to the back of the community centre.

Overgrown

Grassy turfs and other smaller plants were cleared from the flagstones and the hedgerow was cut back.

That's better!

A good effort today in the sunshine!

Finished!