from Bethels Bridge to Frodingham Beck
Photographs of a Cruise up the Navigation from Bethel's Bridge Boat Club on a murky and overcast 4th June 2000 after the heavy rain fall over Yorkshire which caused flooding in Todmorden and Hebden Bridge. The Navigation survived the floods; note the high water levels and the overcast sky from Bethell's Bridge to the Junction of Frodingham Beck (Emmotland), the start of the Driffield Canal at Brigham
High water at Bethel's Bridge Boat Club slipway the start of our cruise. The path down the right hand side of the slipway is some 6 inches (proper measure) under water. Emma and Steve can just be seen surveying the sights. The rest of us have abandoned the land and taken to the trip boat Moon Searcher for this cruse.
Leaving Bethel's Bridge Boat Club behind use we make our way up the Navigation to view the increase in water level.
Looking back towards Bethel's Bridge Boat Club, at this point the water level was close to the top of the flood bank. The drainage dyke is just visible below the flood bank.
Looking towards the start of West Beck, which is to the left of the farm directly ahead.
Approaching the junction with West Beck.
West Beck under the footbridge to the right, the main Navigation up to Frodingham Landing and Brigham ahead.
Passing the foot bridge at the end of West Beck, for some reason this bridge has been blocked off? a board can be seen at the bottom of the steps. It could be that the bridge was installed in haste without thought as to up stream access from the foot path. As can be seen the steps appear to be close to the edge (even at low water).
Ahead of West Beck end the Navigation winds through a series of bends, some quite sharp (90 degrees). Scows visible from Brigham Sailing Club (two if your eyes are good).
Three Scows now visible, two under Brigham hill and one to the right of the picture.
At this point a Scow is just visible entering the Canal up to Brigham bridge, Brigham hill is just to the left of the sail. The flood bank can be clearly seen ahead and to the right with the drainage dyke below; standing water visible in the field.
We meet a Scow just before the junction of the Canal junction to Brigham and Frodingham Beck. The canal to Brigham and on to Driffield (one day) can be seen bending left.
Approaching the junction were the navigation splits. Brigham hill just to the left of center of the picture. To the left (two Scows visible) is the canal navigable up to Brigham bridge (approximately 1 mile). To the right is the start of Frodingham Beck.