May 2020
We hope this finds you well and that you have been able to enjoy walks in the good weather in the last few weeks. Despite the cold at times the spring sunshine has meant footpaths around Burley have had stunning flowers this year. There seems also to be lots of bird song but maybe this is more obvious without the usual traffic noise.
Walking in pairs
Although there are likely to be restrictions on group walking for some while longer, we can once again enjoy walking with someone outside our household, if keeping 2 metres apart.
If you are looking for new ideas for walks check out the Walkers are Welcome website for some lesser known routes from the village in our three walking leaflets. https://www.waw-burleyinwharfedale.org/published-walks.html
At the moment the leaflets can be bought for £1.50 each from Cohens the Chemist, the AM/PM Post Office, and Dacre, Son & Hartley.
Footpath ‘closure’ notices removed
The notices deterring people from using the footpaths through Stead Hall Farm and from Green Lane to Carr Bottom Farm have now been removed. Even so, with restrictions still in place, it’s important to observe social distancing when using paths through farmyards and people’s gardens, to wash hands / sanitise after touching gates or stiles, and to keep dogs on a lead when near livestock.
A bridge goes missing
Those recently walking the footpath from Holme Grove towards Menston may have seen that there is new fencing at the beginning of the route. The wooden bridge over the nearby Carr Beck has also been removed by Bradford Countryside Services when they returned to work last week. This is part of the work agreed with Network Rail and local landowners following the closure of the level crossing. The route now goes through the wood, exiting via a kissing gate, crossing Carr Beck by a culverted bridge, then up to the cattle arch on the edge of Menston.
On the south side of the railway line we also expect the original wooden bridge over Carr Beck to be removed, leaving the adjacent new bridge as the only crossing point. Further along the new right of way a bridge is soon to be constructed over the beck nearest to the Heather Rise cattle arch. This will replace the current difficult way across the stones.
Tree removed from stepping stones
A large tree has until recently been partly blocking the way across the stepping stones at the weir. The Burley Community Trust has kindly covered the cost of a tree surgeon to remove it so making it much safer to cross into the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The low rainfall this spring has meant the stepping stones have been uncovered for some weeks. Once across the river there are many paths to explore including the Askwith circular walk detailed in ‘Five More Rambles’ and the Weston circular walk in the ‘Yet More Rambles’ leaflets.
Sadly Cockpit Farm Tea Rooms on the Weston walk is currently closed but may open for takeaway drinks and snacks soon. In any case they will have to vacate the premises by September when hopefully they will be able to relocate to somewhere nearby. Up to date information will be posted on their website: www.cockpitfarmtearooms.co.uk
Hag Farm Road improvements
Although we had to postpone the joint working party with Open Country in April to create a more level surface along part of the road the landowner was keen to offer a temporary solution. So he has made use of some available loose chippings to make improvements to the surface until such time as more permanent work can be done. This is much appreciated at a time when the route is being frequently used by so many people in the village.
Footpath maintenance
Although we won’t be able to organise any working parties in the near future, please let us know if you find any work that is needed on paths in the area. This includes where undergrowth is beginning to make a path impassable. We can then try to rectify the problem.
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