Sunday 9th September was a bright sunny day and certainly the warmest session of the year. Our task was to tackle a footpath which has been in need of improvement for many years. Footpath 3 leaves Milwich in the direction of Garshall Green and Hilderstone from Garshall Green Lane opposite Grimblebrook Farm. The first part climbs a steep bank from the road, through a pedestrian gate up to a stile at the top of the bank. There are some old steps on part of the bank but the top part is very steep with no steps. At times this can be very slippery and dangerous which has put off many a walker from using what is a very attractive route.
Six volunteers turned out bright and early. Richard, Mark and Peter tackled the upper part which is a slope of at least 45 degrees. They started at the highest existing step and worked upwards, installing six new steps. Chris and Hayley worked at the bottom of the slope, installing two new steps to improve the access from the lane. Meanwhile Paul supplied the upper party with tools and materials and repaired some of the existing steps.
During a break for refreshments, it was noted that Peter really had been working up a sweat, he was soaked.
The finished result was a total of 19 steps from the road to the stile. We then installed a dog gate at the stile, Hayley tidied up the path, cutting back the brambles etc and Chris improved the waymarking. After collecting all our tools from the undergrowth we were at the Green Man in time for opening. We certainly were in need of liquid replenishment.
Our efforts can be seen below:
