Recent Events

canal fest 2023

Driffield Navigation Trust organised this popular event at picturesque Riverhead on Saturday and Sunday, July 29 and 30, supported by Driffield Town Council.

The 250-year-old canal played an important role in the development of the town and wider area, and is an iconic feature of Yorkshire's rich landscape and history.

Last year, the navigation commissioners joined forces with the town council to stage a Yorkshire Weekend event, which included a Canal Fest at Riverhead.
John Scholey, trust chairman, said: “Our festival proved to be very popular with residents and visitors alike, so we decided to go ahead and organise another this year. Everybody loved the music, so we lined up some excellent entertainers, as well as the usual water-based activities, like boat trips to Town Lock and back, pedalos, paddle boarding, a duck race with cash prizes, and a steam river launch. The trust was keen for people to get involved with the canal by coming along to the festival to see what is going on and have some fun and games.”

Entertainment on the Saturday afternoon was provided by the Gaslight Dixieland Jazz Band, and brilliant singer Kylie, from Bridlington, on Sunday, the Gaslight Dixieland Jazz Band played again, and there was fabulous singer Kenny J, the 'The One & Only Elvis Presley', who had everybody rocking again.

Mr Scholey added: “The canal is a wonderful asset for Driffield and the wider East Riding area. A fully navigable Driffield Canal would bring an increase in tourism and boost the local economy, so we are glad people supported the Canal Fest.”

CANAL FEST 2022

Driffield Navigation Trust teamed up with Driffield Town Council to stage a Yorkshire Weekend spectacular on Saturday July 30 and Sunday July 31. The exciting event included a two-day canal festival at Riverhead, Driffield,  and other attractions organised by the town council, including a fantastic market specialising in bespoke Yorkshire products and food. The aim of the event was to celebrate Yorkshire Day, and all that is great about the county, with Driffield Canal being one of the centres for the extravaganza.

David Taylor, canal commissioner, said: “We were thinking about organising an event on the canal for the Queen's Jubilee, but there were so many other things taking place in the town and surrounding area. So we decided to join forces with the town council to stage the Yorkshire Weekend spectacular, and make it a really big event for Driffield, running from Umbrella Plaza in Market Place to the canal at Riverhead.The navigation commissioners are keen for people to get involved with the canal by coming along to the festival to see what is going on and have some fun and games.”

Mr Taylor said the town council was very supportive of the trust, giving cash grants and other support, for its events in the past, so the commissioners were delighted to be involved in the Yorkshire Weekend. He said: “We are a charity that relies on fundraising and every penny we make at the Canal Fest will be spent on maintenance and improvements. The canal is a wonderful asset for Driffield and the wider East Riding area. A fully navigable Driffield Canal would bring an increase in tourism to the town and surrounding area, and boost the local economy, so we hope people will support the Canal Fest and Yorkshire week.”

The trust lined-up a full programme of entertainment, to run alongside the town council's attractions, including the market with stalls also being at Riverhead on the Sunday.

CANAL FEST PROGRAMME INCLUDED:

Licensed bar
Barbecue - refreshments
Gaslight Dixieland Jazz Band
Boat trips to Town Lock and back
Water activities to try including pedalos and paddle boards
Heritage display – steam river launch and steam traction engine
Top singer Kenny J  -  the one and only Elvis Presley
Boat trips to Town Lock and back
Duck Race – cash prizes for winners

Our 2021 gala was a great success

The Trustees of Driffield Navigation Trust, grouped together at North Frodingham Landing on the occasion of our 2021 Canal Gala, welcome you to our website, and look forward to your support for our very worthy cause.

Pictured - left to right - John Turton, Tony Arnott, Johnny Sutton, Peter Markham, Paul Wilson, Gina Simpson (Clerk), Rob Hood, Doug Stephenson, Colin Askin, David Taylor, Chris Shuttleworth and John Scholey (Chair - in the front).

The trustees of Driffield Canal welcomed hundreds of supporters to their 2021 gala to celebrate the ongoing restoration and raise funds for the upkeep of the waterway. Driifield Navigation Trust, which runs the 11-mile canal, pushed the boat out for the two-day fundraiser at Frodingham Landing on Satuday and Sunday, September 25 and 26.

The trustees also wanted to show that the waterway is open for business, including boat trips , following the pandemic lockdowns. Families joined cruises on the trust's popular trip boats, Lady Jayne and Driiffield Navigator, to view countryside not normally see from the road.

Trust chairman John Scholey said: "It was one of the best weekends we have had at the Landing, and fortunately we were blessed with good weather. We had a good crowd of people on both days, and the taster boat trips proved to be very popular.  Both boats were running non-stop from 10am to 4-30pm on both days, with queues of visitors building up to take a trip. Kylie the East Coast Soul singer was brilliant, and helped to keep visitors entertained.  We were also delighted to have the Great Driffield Radio roadshow, who  broadcast interviews with canal trustees and visitors from the gala throughout the weekend."

"The trustees want to thank everyone who supported us by attending the gala weekend, because we rely on on the money raised for the upkeep of the waterway."

Visitors were also able to see work undertaken by volunteers from the trust to improve facilities at the landing, which has become a popular launching spot for paddleboarders and canoeists.

Trust vice-chairman Mike Artley said: "We are on a mission to see boats being able to sail all the way from  Hull into the Canal Basin at Riverhead, but the major sticking point is the low fixed road bridge at Wansford. As we come out of the pandemic, the trustees are looking forward to meeting with East Riding Council, and other partners, to discuss the way forward for Wansford Bridge."

The trust would like to thank everyone who attended, and those who supported the organising, including Driffield Town Council and Great Driffield Radio..

Below are photos of the public enjoying their day on the canal

Driffield navigation Amenities Association
Christmas dinner 2019

The Christmas Dinner of the DNNA was held at the Trout Inn, Wansford on Saturday, 14th December and was a great success. Many thanks to Linda Tullock and her team.

The 2019 Raft Race

The 2019 raft race was held on the Driffield Canal as part of a family fun day on Saturday, August 24, to raise funds for Lions and Rotary charities, and raise awareness of the ongoing programme of restoration work.

See more pictures in the photo gallery.

Alan Hardy, one of the organisers, said: "We are delighted to be holding the event again, but this year it will be part of a family fun day. We want people to come along and enjoy the day, and help 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 a grand raffle with cash prizes.

The Navigation gala, July 2019

This event was a great success. A report and photos have been posted in thephoto gallery

Christmas Meal at the Trout Inn, Wansford, December 2018

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.

A report and photos have been posted in thephoto gallery