Phase 2 Project completed!

We got our grant for Phase 2 from Groundwork UK's Community Spaces programme, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and together with a further grant from Cheshire East Council we have been able to complete this phase of the work with the work. The clough is now open to the public again.

This project involved:

• Constructing a new footpath through the Clough which takes a simpler direct route and does not require so much boardwalk;
• Clearance of the stream;
• Drainage channels;
• Securing the borders of the site;
• Rebuilding of two dry stone walls and other wall repairs;
• Rebuilding two stone features at the stream entrance and stream exit;
• A secure grill to the entrance of the culvert where the stream leaves the clough;
• Removal of debris, excess saplings and fallen trees.

This work began with a volunteer cleanup day on Friday 16th October 2009. The major part of the work has been carried out in the weeks following. The new path was re-opened at a small ceremony on 16 December 2009. Though the clough was closed to the public during the work for safety reasons, it is now fully open once again.

We are most grateful for the support of Bollington Town Council and Cheshire East Council.

Further work - new grant!

We were delighted to receive a further grant of up to £8,000 from Waste Recycling Ltd. (WREN) to complete the last phase of the work in Tinkers Clough.

Bollington Town Council

6 January 2010 - the clough is draped in snow and, with the sun penetrating at a low angle, it is a delight to the eye. The number of footprints show that the new path is being heavily used during this snowy weather.

16 December 2009 - in suitably wet weather, for it has rained almost continuously throughout the work, Tinkers Clough was formally re-opened with a small ceremony to mark completion of the phase two project.

Pictured are representatives from BIT, Bollington Town Hall, CEC councillor and Rangers, and those who did the work.

On the same day news arrived that the project has been successful in its application for a Sustainability Grant. This will contribute to some of the work to be carried out to open up some parts of the clough that are presently overgrown. This will help to increase the diversity of species to be seen.

26 November 2009 - the very wet conditions have slowed down the work of re-building the path. Much of that remaining to be done is deep in mud. However the end is near - round this U turn, 6m along, round the corner at the top and a few metres on the level and it's done! The entry path from Clough Bank has already been completed.

26 November 2009 - the wall at the top end of the clough is now fully re-built and cattle proof.

26 November 2009 - repairing the wall up by the canal at bridge 28. This provides an access between the canal towpath and Tinkers Clough.

17 November 2009 - not withstanding the weather and the difficult condition under foot, the path has made significant progress along the hillside.

The wet weather has shown up dozens of springs in the clough and the effects of one such can be seen; a small flood where the water's flow has been blocked by the new path. A proper drain has since been installed and the level of the path raised slightly to prevent this happening in future.

17 November 2009 - cutting and grading the course of the path up the hill towards Clough Bank. The wet weather has made this work much more difficult and time consuming. But there is not far to go now to the top!

17 November 2009 - the stone wall at the end of the site is already half built. It looks like a dry stone wall but it is invisibly mortared to ensure a long maintenance free life.

11 November 2009 - The work started in good dry weather but the recent heavy rain has resulted in something of a quagmire. A tracked dumper has been used to get the construction materials from the yard at Clough Bank down into the valley and to the work place.

The path along the valley floor is being constructed.

11 November 2009 - The wettest part has been bridged. This will provide a perfect vantage point for observing the wetland plants and creatures, particularly during the summer months.

2 November 2009 - The stream has been cleared of junk and stone and now runs very freely. It also runs at a lower level resulting in substantial draining of the surrounding area. However, there are plenty of wetlands remaining to support the flora and fauna that prefers wet ground.

2 November 2009 - The steps down the valley side from bridge 28 on the canal have been reconstructed using much heavier materials than previously. The timber is all pressure treated to resist rotting.

2 November 2009 - The spaces between the step fronts are being filled with two grades of hardcore. The course stone (shown) is being tamped down hard and will be topped with a fine finishing surface which is more pleasant to walk on. The protruding tops of the support posts will be sawn off.

2 November 2009 - The finished steps are easy to walk up and down and look good in their environment.

View Larger Map

The map shows Tinkers Clough as the wooded area towards the bottom. Access via Clough Bank which leads off Grimshaw Lane, or from the Macclesfield Canal at bridge 28, Beehive, or from the Middlewood Way just north of the bridge by Clough Bank industrial estate.