Who are they, the D.N.A.A. and the D.N.T

Why two bodies?
So why are there two bodies involved in the Navigation? Briefly - an Act of Parliament in 1767 set up a body of Commissioners (now known as the D.N.T. Driffield Navigation Trust) to manage the newly created waterway. The present day Commissioners (who are also Trustees) are the successors of these pioneers. However after 200 years of operation the body died out and, in order to protect the future of the Canal, a number of enthusiasts (who later formed the D.N.A.A.) persuaded the Charity Commissioners to revive the management body. In order to meet the rules governing charities it was necessary to keep the two bodies separate although they share many objectives in common. In layman's terms the D.N.A.A. are the users and the active fund-raisers and the D.N.T. are the official, legal managers.
Canal - or Navigation?
The "Driffield Canal" (which, because it is a combination of navigable river and man-made canal, should correctly be called a Navigation) is 11 miles long, part River Hull and part canal. Short stretches of the Canal between Brigham and Whinhill, are currently obstructed by locks and bridges in need of restoration.
Special status
Driffield Navigation is one of a small number of independently managed waterways which arises from the 1767 Act of Parliament which decreed that the Navigation should be administered by Commissioners - landowners and local VIP's. To qualify as a Commissioner candidates had to have an income of £100 a year from property or be in possession of goods to the value of £3,000 - a large sum at that time.
In the past the Commissioners ceased to operate as interest waned and members died. In the 1970's the Charity Commissioners were approached and appointed a number of new.
Commissioners whose successors are active today. New recruits with specific skills bring the management body of the Charitable Trust to a total of twenty five people.