The Clough

A view of the Bilsdale transmitter masts from five miles away. The 314m high TV transmitter was struck by lightning and caused a fire on 10th August 2021 thus blacking out TV screens in thousands of homes across North Yorkshire and the North East. Such was the damage that the mast had to be demolished and two temporary masts erected in its place. These would appear to be less than half the height of the original mast and some viewers are still unable to receive a wide range of TV programmes. There are plans for a new tall mast, but planning regulations appear to slow down progress.

Looks pretty dry today

Industrial Tees Valley in the distance

On Bildsdale Moor West near Wether Hill. I haven’t been up here, certainly since lockdown. But not much to see as a blanket of wet cloud hung over the moor. Howes and boundary stones would provide photographic interest today. The Bilsdale Turf Stones are a series of eight stones, all inscribed with a ‘T’, 50 metres or so west of the Bilsdale and Snilesworth parish boundary which roughly follows the modern landrover track¶. They demarcate the limit where the farmers of Bilsdale were traditionally allowed to cut turves of peat on Snilesworth land as Bilsdale parish did not have enough suitable land for turf cutting. Peat was cut or ‘graved‘ on most of the high moors after the heather had been burnt and before the grouse started nested. The turves would be cut from the top layer of heathery roots of a swidden. At the same time, the women of the farmstead may collect the charred heather stems as kindling. The turves would then be barrowed down to the drying or ‘ligging’ ground, or sledges may be used. Once dried, the turves provided fuel during the winter. As far as I know, peat is no longer cut on the NYM, but I remember seeing ‘footstools‘ of drying peat when in Ireland in 2018. A sight which would once have been familiar on our moors. Generally, turbary was one of the common rights freeholders and cottagers would have possessed. Those without such a right paid ‘turfgraste‘ for the privilege. Other rights a farmer could have might include pasture, stones, fallen timber, ling or heather, bracken, and furze or gorse. From my photo-diary for 31st July 2020 see Link ¶ I've just noticed that they seem to be on the route of the designated Public Footpath which is not apparent on the ground.

Bilsdale farm close by the River Seph. Beyond the farm the slopes rise to Carr Hill with the main bulk of the moors beyond.

Hillside farmhouse with a view over the dale. Recent tree planting below and to the right of the house across an area marked as 'Tips [disused]' on the OS map. Old 6" maps show these as old jet workings.

Looking north a mile or so south of Chop Gate.

Farm road heading across the infant River Seph towards the farms at orterley.

A view nearing the northern end of Bilsdale as the road approaches Chop Gate. Rooftops in that village can just be seen over the hump in the road.

Two of the three temporary masts on Bilsdale Moor.

Looking north towards Raisdale.

Standing stone at Cock Howe.