driffield navigation guide

Letter printed in the Driffield Times 07/04/2003
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What better memorial

Mr C Horsman, of Coppergate, Nafferton writes . . .

WHAT better way to remember the late Mrs Christine Clubley than for some enterprising citizen or councillor of Driffield to continue her campaign for the recognition of the disputed footpath from Riverhead through the Outgang?

This is a serious matter for all Driffield people when a 230 year old route is threatened to be stopped up by an outsider who has no interest in the canal or its history.

For the gentleman concerned the track originally ran through the site of his bungalow after the old navigation was built.

However, first a lock-keeper's premises followed by a basic bonemeal mill were erected alongside lock number one. It was at this point that the mooring was dug alongside for vessels to unload at the mill. The path was duly diverted around the building.

How on earth does he think farmers and the like managed to get their animals from Anderson Street through to the pastures beyond? Via Wans-ford? Sad to say that the Driffield Town Council (custodian of public paths in the parish) failed to have this route installed on the definitive rights of way map.

The county council asked all parishes to peruse and comment on their particular map only a few years ago.

So, come on you county and town councillors put your best foot forward on this path.

The navigation commissioners, too, have remained very silent on this issue.

07 April 2003