Driffield Navigation Trust

Exciting raft racing made a welcome return to Driffield Canal as part of a family fun day on Saturday, August 24. The event was organised by Driffield Lions Club and Driffield Rotary Club, and supported by Driffield Navigation Trust. It was to raise funds for Lions and Rotary charities, and raise awareness of the navigation and the trust's ongoing programme of restoration work.

Alan Hardy, one of the organisers, said: "We are delighted to be holding the event again, but this year it is part of a family fun day. People came along and enjoyed the day, so helping us to raise as much money as possible for local charities."

Activities included canalside stalls and sideshows, crafts, childrens activites including a climbing frame, radio controlled model boats, ice cream and other refeshments. There was also a grand raffle with cash prizes.

Thanks to David Credland for the photos. If anyone has any more, please send them in.

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Cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon was the perfect pastime for hundreds of visitors to the Driffield Navigation Gala. Boat trips from Riverhead to Town Lock were a popular attraction at the free two-day waterway spectacular over the weekend of July 13 and 14. Live bands, food and drink, and other entertainment, were enjoyed by people who took part in the fun and festivities along the banks of Driffield Canal. Visitors also had the opportunity to discover more about plans to turn historic Mortimer's Warehouse into a heritage visitor centre.

The gala was organised by Driffield Navigation Trust and Driffield Navigation Amenities Association to raise funds for the restoration of the waterway. It also aimed to raise public awareness about what is happening on the 11-mile canal, which opened in 1770, to make it fully navigable again.

John Scholey, trust chairman, said: "We were blessed with good weather and it was a fantastic weekend in a historic part of Driffield. Everybody commented on what a brilliant time they had, and how much they had enjoyed the boat trips to the lock and back. The Dixieland Jazz Band added to the atmosphere of the gala, and one of the main treats was the Abba tribute band which went down really well. Driffield Musical Theatre put in a tremendous amount of effort for their brilliant show on the Saturday night, and we are very grateful for their support."

Mr Scholey said the gala was the culmination of a lot of hard work by DNT and DNAA members who want the navigation to be fully open and operational. He said: "Although we were fundraising, one of the main aims of the gala was to raise awareness about what we are doing to improve the canal. Every lock has been replaced and we now have an ongoing project to raise two bridges at Snakeholme and Whinhill, and do some dredging at Riverhead."

The two canal organisations are delighted that the restoration work is gaining real momentum, and are looking forward to receiving increased public support in the future.

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Bird photos taken at the Tophill Low nature reserve by David Credland in 2018-19

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Other birds seen on and around the Navigation

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The Canal Festival was held on Sat 14/Sun15 July, 2018.

This fundraiser was organised by the Driffield Navigation Amenities Association with the support of the Driffield Navigation Trust. The weather conditions were ideal and the event, held at Frodingham Landing, was a huge success with many people of all ages enjoying the fun and festivities.

Boat trips on the Lady Jane and Driffield Navigator were very popular, with more than 600 people taking trips.

There was live music provided by the Aldbrough Outlaws, a bar, barbeque and duck race.
Volunteers from both the DNAA and DNT worked hard to ensure the whole event went well.

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On Saturday 1st July and Sunday 2nd July 2017, a celebration was held at Riverhead, Driffield to mark the 250th anniversary of when the first act of parliament was passed to build the canal from the River Hull to Riverhead, Driffield. The Navigation was opened in 1770 and played an important role in the transportation of grain, wool,coal, building materials and various other commodities.

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Crowds of supporters gathered on the banks of Driffield Canal to cheer on enthusiastic raft racers at Riverhead on Saturday, August 25.

The thrills and spills of the knockout fun event also included many free attractions to make it a real family day out on the historic canal. The event was organised by Driffield Lions Club and Driffield Rotary Club with the help of Driffield Navigation Trust who run the waterway. It brought back happy memories for for many older folk who could recall the days when an annual water gala was held in the canal basin at Riverhead.

Loud cheers went up when when the team from Florida Marquees were crowned the victors, with the Venture Scouts winning the Plate competition. The organisers were delighted with the response to the inaugural raft races and fun day, and are considering planning another event next year.

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In 2014 the old lock gates at Town Lock were removed and replaced with new ones by the Driffield Navigation Trust. A celebration then took place to mark the opening of the new lock gates.
The project was made posible by donations from:
Driffield Town Council
Driffield Navigation Amenities Association
Inland Waterways Association.
The DNT wishes to thank the above donors.

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Supporters of the 250-year-old Navigation enjoyed a Christmas Meal at the Trout Inn, Wansford, on Saturday, December 15, organised by Driffield Navigation Amenities Association. Almost 50 people attended and everyone had a good time. Many thanks to Linda Tulloch and all those who helped.

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Swans seen on various parts of Driffield Canal, on the River Hull at Wansford and at Tophill Low.

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Photos of kingfishers taken at the North Marsh hide at Tophill Low nature reserve. Thanks to Mike Thornton for the shots.

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