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. 

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!

Ryburn - Rough Hey Woods - Day 4

August bank holiday saw Ginny, Jak, Lynda, Peat, Jerry and Angus tackle a replacement stile, widening a path with revetment, cutting back and repairing a wall.

The stile was the last one on this initial section of the path. It was in a poor state and had to be completely replaced to make it safe and stockproof. The revetments allowed us to widen a particularly narrow section of the path near the top of the wood. As with the previous work, these tasks have been funded by a generous donation from the Russell family. Many thanks.

Location of today's work parties.

Job1 - This was to replace an old stile and make it, along with a section of wall, stockproof. This year there had been sheep in the field and the 'temporary' measures taken by the farmer had worked . . . but involved old branches, baler twine, wire, wood screws and various off-cuts of timber!

The stile as it was . . . rustic but somewhat precarious!

The end section of the wall next to the stile - a bit of a gap!

The first job was to dismantle the stile and finish the end section of the wall to close off the gap between it and the end of the fence. Once the old stile had been dismantled, Lynda and Peat set about finishing the wall and closing the gap, whilst Angus started excavating the holes for the new stile side-posts.

Old stile removed. Lynda traverses the gap in the wall.

Lynda and Peat working on closing the gap between wall and fence.

The condition were somewhat challenging in that the hard stony ground made digging down the required depth a difficult task. Working in a slight hollow meant there was little air movement and we were in a sun trap . . . time to lather on the sunscreen!

Lynda and Peat cutting the side rails for the stile. The dog-gate is already in place.

 

Testing! Testing! Jak, the first person to negotiate the new stile.

We managed to salvage and re-use the farmer's sign warning of sheep and lambs in the field.

The end of the wall and fence now joined and secured.

Job 2 - Further along the path where it started to climb up the slope towards the wood, there was a narrow section of path which had started to erode and was particularly tricky to negotiate especially when wet. Two lengths of revetment were to be fitted to stabilise this section but the first job was to get the materials and tools to the location which involved a bit of a trek across open fields and through the woods. Jak and Jerry worked on the revetment whilst Ginny set about cutting-back the overhead growth to open up this section of the path.

 

First section of revetment in place. Backfill and levelling-off to do.

 

Backfilling nearly completed to make the path level and wider.

During the course of the day, several walkers used the path. It was encouraging to see people enjoying this lovely high-level route that links Ripponden to Sowerby Bridge - it forms an interesting alternative to the historic, disused (but often wet!) railway line..

TODMORDEN - Scaitcliffe, Greens Clough and Cranberry Dam

 There were three teams out from Todmorden today:

Team 1: Andrew and Gareth returned to Greens Clough on Tod 068 to improve the steps and the crossing of the clough, and to install revetment. (See separate blog). Other than removing surplus timbers, this should be our last session here.

Team 2: Neil Mc and Kasher worked in Scaitcliffe Wood, on Tod 082, to install some revetment above a very steep slope and to widen the footpath. There is still much work to be done on this path but for the next work party we will be bringing tools and timber down from Flailcroft to the worksite - a much easier carry for the team.

Tem 3: Mick and Ken were working near Cranberry Dam on Tod 138 to improve a stile by constructing a third step on the downslope side. They also, along the TCW, cleared the brambles and soft rush that engulfed another stile and boardwalk which are scheduled for repair in the coming weeks.

Walkers were seen on two of the three paths worked on today. It is good to see people out and about even in this heat!

Today's work was funded by Todmorden Town Council (for Teams 1 and 2) and by Todmorden Wind Farm, through the Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC) for Team 3.

Team 1:

Team 1 were working near Greens Clough, on the county boundary.

Team 2:

The steep path through Scaitcliffe Wood.

It's hard to convey how narrow
and precipitous the path is.

Neil Mc and the first length of revetment being prepared.

The first revetment in place and the path being created.

Both sections of revetment in place. The path
is now wider . . . and safer.

Only another 20+ steps to be checked -
most will need replacing!

Team 3:

Stile improvements near Cranberry Dam.

The original stile built a few years ago by CROWS.

Work in progress.

The completed stile improvements.

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.

RYBURN - Rough Hey woods - Day 3

A beautiful sunny day, saw Eleanor, Jak, Lynda, Graham, Jerry and Angus continue work on three areas of this path (see map below for details). The work to be done included rebuilding a stile, cutting back, repairing a damaged wall and constructing a small flight of steps.

As with previous work in this wood, funding has been provided by a generous donation from the Russell family. Many thanks.

Today's three work locations circled in blue.

Splitting into three teams, Jak and Angus finished the work started last Monday on stile 3. Today conditions were somewhat different - no rain and no mud! The job was to replace the temporary 'earth steps' (created last week by Richard) with a more permanent structure so as to improve the access too/from newly repaired stile 3.

Starting work on the steps leading to stile 3.

The completed steps will make a big difference; especially in wet conditions. 

The second task saw Eleanor and Lynda (assisted by Angus with an electric pole-saw) cut-back a dense canopy of holly between stiles 2 and 3. Removing this holly will let more light onto the path which had become very slippery due to rotting holly leaves and damp vegetation. This was a most rewarding . . . but somewhat prickly task!

 

The overgrown section of the path between stiles 2 and 3.

Lynda and Eleanor getting to grips with cutting back the holly.

The holly now cleared and more light can now reach the path.

Having finished with the steps and cutting back, Jak and Lynda now tackled a partially collapsed field wall near stile 2. Stile 2 will be replaced at a later date but the end of the wall needed tidying to make it stock-proof. An amount of suitable stone was lying next to the wall and additional material could be recycled from an old completely collapsed wall. 

The collapsed wall end. The derelict Stile 2 can just be seen on the left.

Wall now made much tidier. A support post for the stock fencing will be installed later.

Biggest job of the day fell to Jerry and Graham (with assistance from Angus). This was to replace Stile 1 at the start of the footpath off Highlee Lane. The stile was unstable and in very poor condition having been patched-up with various bits of wood, wire . . . and old carpet!!

View of Stile 1 from above taken during the survey.

Removing the old stile was fairly straightforward as there was little holding it together. The first reconstruction challenge was to to dig through this particularly hard, stony corner of the field to embed the various posts required for a two-step stile c/w dog-gate.

Two side-uprights in place and secure.

Treadboard legs in place . . . and was that ground hard!

Fixing the the treadboards.

 The finished job!

Stile 1 looking from HighLee Lane towards Rough Hey Wood.