Tuesday, November 13, 2007

WATER LOST OPPORTUNITY


The River Ancholme - Old and New cuts - offers plenty of opportunity for leisure, if you belong to certain clubs and organisations. But, like the railway, it's an asset not fully utilised.
The Ancholme is popular with anglers, especially if there's a match. And you might see members of Ancholme Rowing Club, based in Manley Gardens, out enjoying their sport. During the summer, particularly, there are craft from Glanford Boat Club, or people caneoning, especially on the New River, near the Leisure Centre.
But many Brigg residents and visitors never go near the Ancholme, apart from passing over the town's bridges in their cars, or on foot.
It was great when, for a few years, pleasure boat trips were laid on round the Island, starting from near Lidl's superstore. Sadly, they are no more.
Some us can remember when barges plied their trade to Yarborough Mills (now the site of a housing estate). That continued into the early 1970s.
Going back many decades, the town was served by a passenger service running the length of the Ancholme and taking people to and from Hull.
Today, some Brigg residents enjoy walking beside the river, particularly on the course of the old towpath, where horses once pulled the barges along.
So it to be hoped long-term plans to extend the public walkways on the Island come to fruition so there's much more available.
Likewise the scheme - progressing slowly - to upgrade the County Bridge, including removal of the ugly metal railings.

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