NEW COMMISSIONERS AND THE FUTURE

On 10th July 1978 the Charity Commission signed the order appointing 15 Commissioners to the Driffield Navigation. The first meeting of the Commissioners took place on 30th September 1978 at the Bell Hotel, Driffield. This was the same venue as used by the original Commissioners at their first meeting 211 years before, although at that time it was called the Blue Bell Inn. The Commissioners appointed Mr George Peacock, a local solicitor, as their clerk. Four additional Commissioners were appointed at the first meeting making 19 in total. In effect the powers of the Commissioners had not been revoked under the original Acts of Parliament governing the Driffield Navigation, merely there had been no Commissioners for a period of time to carry Out the functions. Therefore the new Commissioners took over the administration of the Navigation on the same basis except that years of neglect and lack of maintenance now created additional problems. It was felt necessary for the Commissioners as a body to be registered as a company with limited liability.

The DNAA changed its constitution from the primary aim of obtaining a legal body to administer the Driffield Navigation (which was now completed upon the appointment of the Commissioners), to the restoration and maintenance of the Driffield Navigation as a navigation and also the amenities - wildlife, rambling, angling, conservation etc.

In 1979 the DNAA received the account for the legal costs incurred over the years of fighting to get Commissioners appointed. In fact the account of over £3000 was very good value in the circumstances, but nevertheless was beyond the resources of a small voluntary body. However with the help of substantial grants from the Commissioners and the Inland Waterways Association Nationally, the account has been paid. DNAA can now concentrate on restoration and maintenance, and regularly holds Rallies. Cruises, Sponsored Walks. Slide Shows and other Fund Raising activities. Working parties meet regularly, and Bethell's Bridge, which used to be the head of navigation for all but the smallest craft because it would not swing has now been put into working order with the considerable help of the local farmers who regularly use the bridge. There are many other problems to be overcome, but with a policy of co-operation between all interested parties, a beautiful rural navigation can eventually be re-opened once again to the canal head at the market town of Driffield.