TODMORDEN -Various

 There were two teams out from Todmorden today. 

Team 1: Duncan and Neil Mc: checking the repairs needed to a gate on Tod 034, and then cutting back on Tod 178 off Shaw Wood Road. Tod 178 has been closed for a while after what appears to have been an accident/incident at the top of the path where it meets the road. The wall and the stone steps had been damaged but have now been repaired. 

We will need to return to sort out the gate (on Tod 034) by replacing the spring, the hinges and the closure mechanism.

Team 2: Catherine, Gareth and Kasher were attacking a number of clearing up tasks from previous work parties including adding extra supports to the fence on Tod 028 above Stile Road; installing marker posts on Tod 095 which goes steeply uphill from Lydgate Post Office to the new stile built a few weeks ago; checking the steps on Tod 082 leading through Scaitcliffe Wood up to Flailcroft and clearing the lower flights. 

We will return to Scaitcliffe Wood in mid-October to clear the steps of the acorns which, from our previous experience, make using this path difficult! (Think imitation 'ball-bearings'!). This path is on the route for a national relay race being organised by Todmorden Harriers on 17 October.

Today's work has been funded by Todmorden Town Council. Many thanks for your continued support to ensure that the footpaths and bridleways in our area are maintained.

The gate to be sorted on Tod 034 is marked with the blue "pin"

The near vertical path from opposite Lydgate post office.

Checking steps through Scaitcliffe Wood and clearing the lower reaches of the path.

Team 1:

The gate in need of TLC.

Tod 178 in need of sorting out.

The repaired steps at the top of Tod 178.

Duncan on step and path clearing duties.

The cleared stones on Tod 178.

Team 2:

Catherine and Gareth installing an extra support to the 
'fence' at the bottom of Tod 028. The entrance to the field is
via the gap stile on the LHS.

The first flight of stone steps in Scaitcliffe Wood... before.

Leaf mould and acorns removed from some of the
Scaitcliffe Wood steps.

Catherine and Gareth step clearing.

Installing and firming up yellow-topped marker posts.

The new stile built a few weeks ago, with Gareth and Catherine
installing yellow-topped posts in the distance.

A spectacular gap stile on Tod 095.

TODMORDEN - The cutting back continues....

 Kasher and RJ continued the cutting back (on Tod 027) which we started a fortnight ago. We have now cut back the route from Hey Head Lane to Scrapers Lane. 

We also went to check out and measure up for a job near to Folly Dam where a set of steps need attention.

Cutting back near Scrapers Lane.

Checking out a forthcoming job near Folly Dam.

The section previously cut back is now looking good
and is much easier for bikes and horses.

Significant trimming of the trees is needed
as this is a bridleway.

Re-emerging onto Scrapers Lane and uncovering
hidden marker posts.

RJ . . . and still more trees to trim!

RJ finding somewhere in the shade for lunch . . 

. . 

. . and then off to sort out some more cutting back.

RJ checking out the issues with the steps
and revetment near Folly Dam.

The small set of steps in need of some TLC.

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.

TODMORDEN - Greenhurst Hey and Back Lane

 Kasher and RJ had two major tasks today: 

a)    surveying the stream crossing below Greenhurst Hey where we hope to sort out the steps on both sides of the clough and to create a new stream crossing. (The previous stream crossing was washed away in the floods a number of years ago!)

and

b)    cutting back along Back Lane. This popular path gets cut-back a couple of times each year. Today's 'haircut' should keep the path open for the next few months but brambles, nettles and, in some places, raspberries may take over later in the Summer.

Today's work has been funded by Todmorden Harriers. Many thanks for your continuing financial support. Thanks too to the landowners on both banks of Greenhurst Hey Clough for agreeing that we can work to improve the footpath in this area.

Surveying and sorting out work to be done near Greenhurst Hey Clough.

Cutting back on Back Lane.

Stone steps and turn-by to be sorted above
Greenhurst Hey Clough.

A new clough crossing will be needed over
Greenhurst Hey Clough.

RJ working out what we can do with a disappearing
footpath!

The top of Back Lane near Pex Tenements.

A brilliant view from the second work site of the day.

The lane to be cut back.

Brambles and nettles should now be less
of a problem.

We tried not to cut back the bluebells  . . .

CORNHOLME - Obadiah Woods

 A team of three (Duncan, Kasher and Peter) spent a pleasurable morning in Obadiah Wood in Cornholme installing a small bench just off Tod 060. This bench was made by the depot team and is similar to the one installed a few months ago on the new definitive RoW off Pudsey Road.

Unfortunately, we drew the short straw as we had to position this bench is a very stony woodland, so it was not easy to dig the holes for the legs. We were, however, accompanied by the delightful sounds of woodland birds and surrounded by bluebells . . . Spring has really sprung! We also had the pleasure of the company of many walkers/dog walkers who were using this path. Many thanks for the generous donation to CROWS from one of today's visitors. It's much appreciated.

After installing the bench and clearing out the stream under the nearby boardwalk, recently installed by CROWS,  we moved to look at the state of Tod 065 to see if we could improve a small section of it. This path goes from Parkside Road up towards Brown Birks. After contacting the landowner we will come back to see if it may be possible to install a few small steps to make this section of the hillside easier to navigate.

Many thanks to the landowner of Obadiah Woods who has allowed us to install the bench.

Thanks too to Active Calderdale for funding today's work.

The blue "pin" marks the site of the new small bench.

A small woodland clearing . . . in need of a small bench.

Peter and Duncan starting to dig the holes for the legs.

Measuring up but still a way to go!

Bench in position and levelled up.

The bench now in place and level.

Testing! Testing! Duncan and Peter on the new bench.

Clearing out the small stream under the nearby boardwalk.

We will return to see if we can install some
steps on this section of  the hillside.