East Yorkshire Branch
WOLDS WATERS The newsletter of the East Yorkshire Branch
September 2017
The Bay Horse Inn at Great Heck, See Pub Cruise inside
Driffield Navigation Gala Many hundreds of visitors enjoyed a two day Gala organised jointly by the Driffield Navigation Trust and the Driffield Navigation Amenity Association. The organisers have been given the opportunity of making use of the Riverhead Mortimer’s Warehouse and this was brought into use for the waterway for the first time with a number of stalls (including our branch stall) inside. Whilst outside there were boat trips, a model boat display, live music, food and drink and many other attractions to keep the crowds entertained. A black tie Gala Dinner was held for 250 guests on the first night which with raffles and auction of promises, raised welcome funds which will go towards making Mortimer’s Warehouse a permanent Heritage Centre. Our branch stall had many many visitors interested in learning more about not only the Driffield Navigation but other waterways in our area.
The East Yorkshire Branch information stall
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Pocklington Canal News Thornton lock The restoration of Thornton Lock is now complete and before re–watering took place, the Canal & River Trust provided an opportunity for going down into the lock to see ‘up close’ the repaired brickwork and the new gates.
Well over 150 people took advantage of the chance to walk on a lock floor! PCAS now focus their attention on the next lock to be restored, Walbut. The aim is for boats being able to navigate to the Bielby Arm by summer 2018 which is the bicentenary of the opening of the canal.
Do not miss the C&RT Open Day at Canal Head, 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, 2nd September
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Annual Branch Trip– 23rd June Each year the branch organises a summer trip, giving members a chance to see aspects of the waterways around our area. This year a number of members enjoyed a one way boat trip from Ferrybridge to Selby via the River Aire and the Selby Canal. This is one of a number of trips organised by the Sobriety Trust based at Goole Waterways Museum, and despite weather which was not particularly kind to us, I think it is safe to say that everyone who took part thoroughly enjoyed a great day out. Our vessel for the day was “Waterstart” – a well-equipped wide beam normally used both for training NCBA skippers and crews, and also for pleasure trips along the local waterways such as ours. “Waterstart” was familiar to a number of our party who had qualified on her to qualify them to crew the Pocklington Canal trip boat, “New Horizons”.
Joining Waterstart Unusually, this trip was “one way”, so we all checked in at the Goole Waterways Museum at 10 am and were transported to join the boat at Ferrybridge by the Museum’s minibus. After a short stroll along the river bank we found the boat waiting for us on the visitor’s moorings just East of Ferrybridge Floodlock, and in a few minutes we were off on our voyage to Selby. Within half an hour we were passing the busy boatyard at the junction where we took the left channel leading to Bank Dole Lock. There were plenty 4
of willing volunteers among the passengers to assist with the lock operation and we had soon locked down onto the River Aire. Traffic was light with just an occasional craft to cause some interest, and we were struck by the meandering nature of the river with high banks restricting the view, but despite being within striking distance of a busy motorway and a number of industrial sites, the river felt very rural and secluded. An interesting feature of this part of the river is the West Haddesley Water Ski Club, so it is fairly common to come across boats and skiers travelling at speed round some of the bends, and although we didn’t see any skiers we did meet a motor cruiser enjoying the freedom to exceed the normal river speed limit.
West Haddesley Flood Lock Leaving the Water Ski Club behind, we soon approached the junction with the Selby Canal via West Haddesley Flood Lock. We were in luck as the levels were suitable to pass straight through and entered a very different waterway. It felt even more rural and isolated and the stretch between the Flood Lock and the approaches to Selby is an unspoilt and infrequently used canal used 5
mainly for boats in transit to the River Ouse and then on to York. A feature of particular interest are the 5 inverted syphons along the canal which were built to allow streams to cross the line of the canal – an ingenious solution which can still be seen both from the towpath and also by passing boats. As we approached Selby we passed the Selby Boat Centre with a variety of boats which attracted attention but all too soon we were approaching our final destination in Selby Basin where we found our minibus waiting for us for our return journey to Goole where we could pick up our cars. I think it is fair to say that although it wasn’t a sunny day at least the rain held off and we all thoroughly enjoyed our full day out on “Waterstart.”
Never mind relaxing, who’s steering? Thanks must go to the crew, and the driver of the minibus who looked after us very well and made the trip a totally enjoyable day out, and particular thanks are due to Roger Bromley who organised this latest Branch trip and made it such a success. Howard Anguish 6
PUB CRUISE This year we have discovered a couple of new pubs to add to the local canal pub network and revisited some old haunts. The furthest watering hole we have visited is Mumtaz restaurant at Leeds. This is situated in what we know as Clarence Dock but which is now called Leeds Dock. Mumtaz occupies the opposite side to the Royal Armouries and the first thing to say this is not a watering hole you can’t even get the ubiquitous Kingfisher and Cobra lagers expected in an Indian restaurant for this is a Pakistani Restaurant and strictly Muslim. They did have a period when it had an alcohol licence and they changed the name to Chandeliers but they have reverted to their core principles and the family name. This is the most luxurious curry house we have visited and the food is excellent and not that expensive considering the surroundings. Well worth a visit and miles away from the half-light of our local Indian. You will also find the majority of customers are Pakistani. On our way to Leeds we noticed that the old Tom Pudding Staithe at Allerton Bywater had been cleaned up and advertised the local pub The Victoria Hotel so we decided to give it a try. Mooring can be a bit of a problem the Staithe was about 5 feet above the water and there are large old wooden bollards about 10 feet back from the water’s edge and also rings on the face of the staithe about 2 feet above the water. Ideal for a narrow boat but a bit difficult to reach down to from a larger boat. Please don’t forget this is a river section of the Aire and Calder and if there is heavy rain it would be wise to retreat to the security at Castleford behind the floodgates. It appears the landlord of the Victoria Hotel has taken on the great improvement to the staithe and the area behind it. The Victoria is a good basic old style town pub with a subtle Irish theme. The food and drink is reasonably priced and good basic pub standard. Interestingly, one of the fillings for their giant Yorkshire puddings is Irish stew.
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At the other end of the staithe is The Boat Inn where they had on offer a pint of local, Red Ale for only £2 and sat outside to watch the Leeds Morris Men who were making their annual visit to the pub. Got drawn into the dancing after naively agreeing to hold a couple of sticks for their Bagman and fool, Moss. Needless to say Mrs B thought it was hilarious. We shall stop the night here again as Castleford is very popular and it is getting difficult to find a mooring, we gave up on the pubs there but maybe we should have another look round. Many will remember the Jolly Miller pub at Eggborough stories of which are what make legends but cannot be repeated in this respectable chronicle. The Jolly Miller wharf still exists about half a mile west of Whitley Lock, and can just about accommodate 3 narrow boats. The nearest pub is the George and Dragon at Whitley and is a good walk away if you want to build a thirst. We have found it better to use our bus passes. There is a bus stop 100 yards away just over the railway crossing heading into Eggborough. If you text the bus top’s unique number to 64422 you will get an immediate text back with the 8
time of the next bus at that stop. You need a bus heading for Doncaster and although there isn’t an official stop at the pub the driver will drop you as near as he can to the pub. For the return journey there is a stop with a shelter almost outside the pub. Damien and Peter who now run the pub serve a good pint and reasonable pub food. We were reading a copy of the Donny Drinker Magazine of the Doncaster group of Camra and found an advert for the Bay Horse Inn at Great Heck who welcomed walkers and boaters travelling along the Aire and Calder. We have been passing by Heck for 20 years and never realised there was a pub there. You need to moor opposite the South Yorkshire Boat Club marina on the north bank, but be warned the piling does have mooring rings but the profile is very large and your fenders may offer no protection. The rings are closer together further from the bridge. The Bay Horse is only 250 yards to the north of the bridge but be careful, there is no footpath. The pub is owned by the Old Mill Brewery, Snaithe, so you will get their beers, which are quite good. We were very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the steaks we had and the generous portion of the sweet course. Our only disappointment was that we had visited on a Thursday night when on Wednesday they had an offer of two steaks and a bottle of wine for £25. We will certainly return to the Bay Horse but must remember a coupe of 6-foot timbers to bridge the piling profile. Diane and Adam have left the Kings Head at Pollington but the new tenants are continuing the tradition of large helping of well cooked food reasonably priced. Don’t think you are a wimp choosing a small portion, the large are large! If you haven’t been, before moor on the visitor’s moorings below the lock and walk down through the farmyard to the main street, the pub is 100 yards to your right. Please remember to shut the gate in the farmyard. We have visited the New Inn at Stainforth this year and it was not very busy, no other boats moored outside, not a very good sign, The beer selection was 9
not very good and whist the food did not look very appetising on the plate it was quite tasty. The problem is you keep thinking of the days when Janet was in charge and it was probably the best canalside pub in the region. After visiting the New Inn we went to try the Boat Inn at Sprotborough, which is part of the Vintage Inns group. We receive regular Emails from them about special offers and occasions but unfortunately the Boat Inn does not live up to the hype. The beer selection was not that impressive and the food not as wonderful as the menu describes. Sprotborogh lock is a very nice location to stop at, the moorings are on the bank opposite the pub, but the bridge is handy to make it a short and pleasant walk. On our way back to Goole we decided to stop at Sykehouse and try out the Old George Inn. This about a mile down the road from Sykehouse Lift Bridge, there is a proper footpath for about half the walk and although there are several bus stops enroute there are very few buses. We had previously visited for Sunday Lunch when the place seemed full of very large people helping themselves to large portions from the carvery. On Thursday when we went it was fish and chip night and it turned out to be good value and there were not many customers. One interesting character lived at Stainforth and had cycled to the pub as was his custom to have 6 pints of beer and then cycle back. The landlord showed the outside area at the back of the pub as we were about to leave, there must be seating for one hundred people, together with a large play area for children and an open pool. This year we would definitely say that the best pub in the area is the Bay Horse at Heck, ok let’s say it “by Heck its good”. Thanks to Andrew Brett for the ‘research’ for this article. I would welcome news of other hostelries near to our local waterways which might make suitable venues for a lunch out and a canal visit. Send in your ideas and pictures please. Ed
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PROGRAMME September to December 2017 Branch social meetings and other local events
Venue (unless stated otherwise) Cottingham Methodist Church Hall, Hallgate, Cottingham HU16 4BD 8.00-10.00 pm. Use entrance down side of church. Friday September 15th The Pocklington Canal. A gem in the landscape.
The Canal & River Trust secured a half a million pounds grant to spend on improving access and to provide information to visitors as well as a number of other projects. To hear about progress and future plans, come and listen to Lizzie Dealey CRT’s Pocklington Canal Project Officer who will tell us about what is happening. Friday October 20th One of the most popular historic railway societies must be the famous North York Moors Railway. We are delighted to have John Bailey who is Chairman of the charitable trust that owns the railway, tell us about the history, role and importance of volunteers and much else about the running of the railway. Friday November 17th A modern way of communicating is by blogging. Writing about your adventures and publishing them on the World Wide Web. Tony and Helen Porter on their narrowboat Holderness have been doing this for the last five years and it makes for an interesting read. They will be telling us about some of their adventures during their travelling on our local waterways. Tony is also well informed about the Historic Hedon Haven and will be able to give us some historical information about this area.
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Sunday December 3rd We again will be enjoying our annual lunch at the Trout Inn at Wansford at 1.00pm Bookings are essential and if you have not joined us in the past why not come along and meet and chat with fellow IWA enthusiasts. To book please contact Chris Stones at chris.stones@waterways.org.uk or see her or Roger Bromley at one of our social meetings.
Dates in 2018 are 19th Jan, 16th Feb, 16th March (AGM), 20th April, 18th May. For more information about the Inland Waterways Association use the website www.waterways.org.uk or contact Barry Robins on 01482 658254 or 07885941983. For more information on the above meetings contact Roger Bromley on 01482 845099. The Branch email address is roger.bromley@waterways.org.uk This newsletter is edited by Barry Robins, 90 Carr Lane, Willerby, Hull HU10 6JU. bandrrobins@gmail.com Note: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Association and should not be construed as such unless so stated.
Learning the hard way 1. We were ready to set off, mooring ropes unfastened, engine started. Of course we wanted to get the stern out first which we were doing nicely until M decided to push the bows out too. Hands on boat roof, feet on the bank! The bows moved out and when M was horizontal and the inevitable was about to happen he called out ‘sir!’ and then ...... Have you learned anything the hard way which you are willing to share with us in a future issue?
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