Cavers replacing an old stile in Horton-in-Ribblesdale

Cavers have been busy again improving the appearance of the countryside.

Walkers on the Pennine Way past Calf Holes near Horton-in-Ribblesdale will have noticed the stile leading to Browgill Cave. Over the years it had deteriorated, steps had rotted away, and the main frame was being held together by a piece of old rope.

Cavers from Bradford Pothole Club set out to change that, replacing the old wooden stile with a stone one much more in keeping with the landscape. Over the course of a day, they demolished the stone wall, then re-built it, inserting through it three long slabs of stone to act as steps on each side of the wall.

They had to be careful to align these the right way – they were advised that if the steps run up towards the corner of the field, apparently the sheep just run straight up them and over, but if the steps run up away from the corner, the sheep stay safely in the field.

The work was carried out as part of the Northern Caves Monitoring Project, a partnership between Natural England and the Council for Northern Caving Clubs in agreement with local landowners.