Public Footpath 129: North Brow Wood - Royds Hall Farm via Middle Pasture to Horse Close Bridge
FP 129 is a contended route . The current owners of Royds Hall Farm have substantially diverted the Route from its original line from Horse Close Bridge . There are substantial implications on the closure of these routes in regards to any proposed development . In addition located through the farm yard there has been an application for a VOC ( Vehicle Operating Centre ) which is the subject of ongoing contention with the Local Authority ( Bradford Metropolitan Council ) failing to enforce
Public FP 129 has been shown on no less that 8 maps spanning 100 years to have run through the Farmyard. The Primary reason for the nature of this route being access and egress to the Old Manorial Court House or " Leedes Court " which would have been resided by the Manorial Title , Edward Rookes Ledes.
FP 129 has had no signage precluding use and has been used as a through route to the main Royds Hall Lane from Horse Close Cottages . The nature of this crude footpath would be such that it would have connected the old Coach road which was the likely intetion of Edward Rookes who by profession was also builder of "Turn Pikes"
The current owners of Royds Hall Farm appear to have taken a systematic approach to precluding ROW at the Northern end of Judy Woods Re FP 131 and FP 129.
Entry to many of the Footpaths can be gained from Brow Woods , Meadway BD6. Taking the hill top path to the left will bring you onto FP129 and onward to Royds hall and farm along the top of the hill with views of the Dam as you cross onward ( Royds Hall Dam ) . Carrying on through Royds Hall Great Wood will taje you onto FP 125 and 126 and thence to Low Wood at Station Road (off Huddersfield Road . Jagger Park Wood can also be entered from this point by turning Right and down the slope to the Bridge over the Beck and thence up a very steep slope into Jagger park wood
This stile takes you accross the top fields to Royds Hall and farm in the distance to the left are the two large fields and resevoir area which a re curreently under threat
Following the route straight ahead to the stle in the corner of the field takes you on to Royds Hall Lane with the Hall And Farm close by. The route of FP 129 ran through the farm yard at the gates as per the map below . The route has appeared to have been diverted . Follow the fence line to the next stile or you may contend the original route and pass through the farmyard to arrive at the same point which will take you down the pasture
The original Stilenhas been obstructed which would have bben th exit from the field and thence into the farm yard. Another stile was opened just behind this gate - Royds hall Lane is and assignation on the Highways List as an Ancient Higheway to be maintained in characterThis stile gate is clearly part of it, now discretely tucked awy but not forgotten !!
This Route is the diverted Route It should actually run through the farm yard where you would have had a view of the old manorail courthouse where the lord of the manor held court sessions in days gone by " Ledes Court"
The original Route can be seen ie the track up to the farm veers up and through the farm yard looking back up to the farm from the stile to the farm This is the original route Cross Stile and Continue Downward to Horse Close Cottages Following Gaps in the Trees
This is the unspoilt view down the pasture corridor this will eventually take you out onto High Fernely Lane near Judy Bridge
Horse Close Cottages in 2005 Panorama looking back on the Walk down from Royds Hall Farm to Horse Close Cottages
The route of FP 129 appears to divert to the left through a small copse that runs parrallel to High Fernely taking you out at the juction of High Fernely Road and Royds Hall Lane . We urge you to use the original route around the right of the trees to come out onto High Fernely Lane just above the Bridge where there is a large wooden gate
