Could the River Ancholme which flows through Brigg become one of the first in the UK to be included in a pilot scheme?
A government body nationally has given the green light to a number of pilot projects proposing to “de-main” certain sections of main rivers across the country.
The process involves investigating the passing of river maintenance and operational activities from the Environment Agency to Internal Drainage Boards "where there is mutual agreement, a locally generated appetite, and benefit to do so."
If successful, the pilots will lead to the permanent passing of these activities to the IDBs concerned.
Coun Mike Storey, who takes a keen interest in the River Ancholme, made reference to this during Brigg Town Council's July meeting, explaining that a "de-main" could see an IDB take over.
Further information is expected to be revealed in the future. Things are at a very early stage.
■ Users of the River Ancholme in Brigg - New and Old sections - include Glanford Boat Club, Ancholme Rowing Club, canoeists and many match and pleasure anglers.
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4 comments:
The notion of a local drainage board is not new, Nige.
For example, during the C17th, and before, Drainage Boards met on a regular basis...membership was local landowners, such as John Nelthorpe, who considered and proposed the clearing, and/or the construction of land drainage water courses, such as dukes.
During the middle of the C17th, the initial canalisation of the Ancholme was complete.....as part of a massive drainage scheme of low-lying eastern England.
The notion of a local drainage board is not new, Nige.
For example, during the C17th, and before, Drainage Boards met on a regular basis...membership was local landowners, such as John Nelthorpe, who considered and proposed the clearing, and/or the construction of land drainage water courses, such as dukes.
During the middle of the C17th, the initial canalisation of the Ancholme was complete.....as part of a massive drainage scheme of low-lying eastern England.
The advantage to landowners was that they were able to lay claim on the previous common marshy land; the disadvantage to the common man was the loss of common land were they could fish and wildfowl.
Consequently, the progressive drainage of the Ancholme valley made common land private and landowners protected it with water bailiffs and poaching became an offence.
At the time, the situation caused considerable unrest and it is understood that some water bailiffs suddenly disappeared.
In the whole scheme of things, this was a period of the Agricultural Revolution - ie selective breeding, marling fields with chalk to improve crops and the radical improvement of farming machinery/methods - which meant that the common man moved from subsistence farming to working for a landowner for a wage; the surplus of agricultural workers owing to the radical improvements and efficiency in farming and the migration of such a surplus workforce to towns to seek employment.
All these ingredients were vital to the Industrial Revolution which followed...and the rapid development of towns into cities and industrial zones.
For example,Birmingham ( a bit like Scunthorpe) didn't exist in the C17th...but the 10 Yard Coal Seam (in the case if Scunny, iron ore) the area became a very significant industrial area.
In the meantime, it was essential that agricultural was efficient enough that it could supply the demands of the centralised industrial labour force....
......During the local drainage scheme, landowners, such as the Elwes and the Nelthoroes enormously benefited. This was further enhanced by the various Enclosure Acts during the C18/19th in which fields were enclosed with hedges and ditches.
During the time, the land around Brigg, previously a settlement of grotty dwellings associated with trades assocuated with the river, ie eel fishing, boat repairs, ferrymen...quickly became prime retail land.
External investors purchased land, such as St Clares College, Cambridge ....and still retains land/property in and around Brigg....and which is recognised in the name 'College Yard' in Brigg.
St Clares Walk is, however, named after the Order of St Clares nuns, which at one time owned the nearby Manor House.
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