2018
2018
Read about some of the brilliant projects we're involved with in 2018
Public Rights of Way Project
In February, we embarked upon an exciting, new project running throughout 2018; working alongside Kirklees Public Rights of Way staff to improve various routes around the district used by members of the public.
1. Castle Hill Steps, Huddersfield
Our first destination was the fabulous Castle Hill in Huddersfield! Wow, what a spectacular location to kick off the project - the sun was shining and the views were stunning!
We had two sessions scheduled and our assignment was to break up and remove the top layer (about 3 cm) of the existing material from each step (125 steps no less!!) in readiness for replacing with an improved product which is highly porous, malleable and eco-friendly (it's made in part from recycled vehicle tyres).
An ambitious task you may think! ... but Transformers North specialise in turning the seemingly ambitious into reality and this was no exception. Not only did we get all steps prepared for their new coat, we also managed to cut back all overhanging shrubs and branches etc. ensuring the route up the stairs was much clearer and hazard-free.
Our gang displayed awesome teamwork to get it done and of course, did it all with big smiles on their faces ... we also had a fab workout going up and down all those stairs over and over again! One thing's for sure .... we all slept well afterwards!
2. Footpath off Howroyd Lane, Whitley Lower
Our second outing was at Whitley Lower in Dewsbury; our mission: to work our way along a section of footpath, clearing the route of built-up mud, leaves, twigs and other debris, and remove overhanging branches causing obstruction. We had all day to do it, but you know us at Transformers North don't hang around, we got stuck straight in to clearing the footpath and by 11:45am we'd achieved our goal! Not being content with that, we carried on further up the route; clearing not only the pathway, but a drainage gully, dug out some old steel rods which were potential trip hazards and uncovered an original paved pathway which looked to have been buried for quite some time! Not bad if we do say so ourselves :)
3. Slaithwaite
Destination number three was the fantastic Slaithwaite; this time round our objective was to clear an area which will eventually become a new public footpath - running under the train line down to the Huddersfield narrow canal path.
It was an absolute sizzler of a day, but that didn't stop our crew making short work of clearing the route of vegetation, rootballs and debris, with a fantastic display of teamwork, energy, industry and enthusiasm!
The fantastic work the guys did made a huge difference by the end of the day, and hopefully in the near future, lots of people will reap the benefits by traversing the newly formed footpath, exploring the glorious location and taking in the fab vista!
4. Liversedge
Our next journey took us to Liversedge; this time working on a footpath which had suffered recent damage due to excess water flow opening up huge crevices making the path dangerous to walk along (especially at night!). Our task was to offload crushed stone and fill the crevices, ensuring a much safer passage for everyone.
The team once again put in a mighty effort and would have comfortably completed the task, but were frustratingly thwarted just short as the third (and final) required journey to the quarry would have taken too long and not got back to us before the end of our day. However, we got the majority filled in, making a huge difference and it was lovely to speak to passers-by who commented on how great a job everyone was doing!
Huddersfield Allotment Project
In
January, we embarked upon another exciting project for 2018; this time working in partnership with Community Links on an allotment plot in Fartown, Huddersfield. Our objective was to provide some workshops to help erect a polytunnel and construct a pergola/shelter.
The site was quite an awkward one due its sloping nature and on top of that we experienced some awful weather, resulting in the area becoming a mud bath. As you can imagine, this became quite the challenge! (but never fear ... we love a good challenge!)
The mud and rain made things a bit tricky in the early weeks of the project so it's a good job us lot here at Transformers North are used to all kinds of weather and conditions ... and we love a bit of mud, so we had no problems gracefully maneuvering around the site (honest!!)
We began by marking out the polytunnel area, then moved on to bramble root removal and clearing the site of a very old, sodden, mouldy carpet! From there, we put together the door frames, and began to construct the polytunnel framework (putting our collective thinking caps on to figure out how best to keep it level on a sloping site - with some great problem solving on display).
The polytunnel gradually took shape (check out the slideshow below) and before long, we were putting the polythene cover on, attaching the doors and growing chilli's and tomatoes inside!
We had an absolute ball putting it up, the allotment was filled with laughter and smiles; everybody worked so brilliantly and were quite rightly very proud of themselves, we were massively proud of each and every one of them too! Now everyone can add 'polytunnel builder' to their ever expanding list of skills :)
We're currently still working on the pergola/shelter but will update the site with pics very soon...
