The old, stepless stile
Footpath Number 1 (as designated by the County Council) leaves the village through the stables at Fairfield House. About 300 yards up the hill by Shaw Wood was a stile with no steps and in poor repair. Although this stile is reasonably close to the village, access by vehicle was something different and involved driving up to Dayhills, along Butterhill Lane and then through the farmyard at Woodend Farm and across several fields. This site is on Sandon Estate land, the tenant at Woodend was very helpful in facilitating access. When I first went to enquire as to the best route to the site in May, he took me by tractor across very wet fields. Because of this, the job has not been accessible to us until after a long period of dry weather.
Our inquisitive audience. Woodend Farm is on the horizon.
So on a fine sunny warm morning in August the team of Peter, Richard, Mark and Paul set off to replace the stile. We had to go through several gates and temporarily remove an electric fence. The old stile was quickly removed, by which time we had a large audience! Eventually we had to rope off the working area to keep the young cows at bay.
Digging the holes
Removal of the old stile left some nice holes so the first two holes were soon dug, the subsequent holes proved somewhat harder in dry stony soil. In the meantime the stile was prefabricated, complete with dog gate, so as soon as holes were ready it was dropped into place and the ground made good.
A great view across Milwich while we had coffee
After a coffee break and time to admire the view, further holes were dug and three steps built.
Building the steps
Signeage was then completed, the dog gate finished and it was time to clear up and head back across the fields for well earned refreshment at The Green Man.
Mark Paul and Peter
Mark, Richard and Peter
The finished job
Milwich Parish Website 