Driffield Gala

Driffield Gala

Photographs donated by
Brian Tidy

A good collection of boats turned out in hot sunshine for Driffield’s Gala
on the 25th / 26th June 2005.

Driffield Head

Some arrived by trailer, others were craned around the fixed low-level bridge and Derelict lock in the centre of Wansford. Trips were on offer through he restored town lock down to the newly restored Whinhill lock.

Selection of Boats

Whinhill Lock

Two Boats were able to navigate Whinhill lock even with the fixed access bridge across the chamber. This
seemingly impossible feat was completed by A steam Launch and a 16ft day boat called Triple T. They
entered a full lock, let about half the water out, slipping under the bridge and away from the wide sill,
emptied the rest and travelled down stream to Wansford.

On arrival at Wansford the boats were only a couple of hundred yards above the current head of navigation
adjacent to the Trout were a good pint and fine meals are available. Boats are now able to reach the Trout
from Beverley and Hull and further a field via the Humber and connecting waterways.

Wansford Lock

The lock in Wansford is in dire need of repair, the bottom gates as you can see have virtually rotted away.
Unfortunately, the top gates have their share of rotten planks and need replacing soon if they are not to fail
altogether. This relatively straightforward task, the more expensive replacement of a low-level concrete Road
Bridge and the mobilisation of two farm access bridges are the main obstacles to boats navigating all the way
up to Driffield's canal head.

Wansford Lock

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