A DEDICATED duo has revived a Greenfield landmark after it was defaced with graffiti and damaged by senseless vandals.
Writing was daubed on Alphin triangulation point, which sits at 469 metres above sea level on the Saddleworth Moors, and the summit shelter was wrecked by hooligans.
Trig points were workstations for surveyors compiling Ordnance Survey maps as they attached theodolite equipment to the fixtures in the column and worked outangles on the lines of sight between two other points.
Nowadays, superseded by aerial photography and satellite mapping, trig points areuseful navigational aids for walkers as well as part of the heritage of the hills.
And when Chris Maylor and Ray Green, of Saddleworth Runners, were told about the damage at Alphin Pike by Ray’s son who spotted it when out walking, they decided to rectify the destruction.
Armed with paint, brushes and tools, they climbed to the summit to repair the damage and restore the landmark to its former glory.
Chris, who runs a Saddleworth Discovery Walks blog, said: “Many locals were outraged when they heard about the damage and we made it a priority to repair the destruction as quickly as possible.
“One Uppermill resident scattered his father’s ashes on Alphin Pike from the trig point and was very upset to hear the news.
“After completing the repairs we received many thanks from residents and keen walkers via the Saddleworth Discovery Walks facebook page and on the running club site too.
“The news even travelled to other parts of the country from where we received many positive comments.
“It’s great to know locals and those who love the countryside are behind protecting what are now historic landmarks and part of Britain’s beautiful landscape.
“Saddleworth Runners have over the years repaired various local landmarks damaged by senseless vandals, including Broadstone trig point (Sykes Pillar) andFox Stone Cairn above Dovestones.”
Any incidents of graffiti and fly-posting can be reported to Oldham Council by calling0161 770 6644 or reporting it online through their website.
The local authority can issue an £80 fixed penalty fine for graffiti and fly-posting offences, and this income will be reinvested in related work.
Chris Maylor runs a Saddleworth Discovery Walks blog and Facebook page. Find out more by reading his column or emailing him at: saddleworthdiscoverywalks@gmail.com
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