A canoe trip on the Ancholme

Me offering a helping hand to a southern migrant dragonfly that had fallen into the water and got its wings wet.

On 24 September myself and James Elliott (the Canoe River Cleaner) went out on the River Ancholme on beautiful autumn day for me to experience what life might have been like when water was our water transport system. It was so peaceful just rhymically dipping my canoe in the water regularly. James is the expert on the route we took, so I'll leave it to him to talk about it:

'So, we set off from the leisure centre and paddled upstream, noticing the rigidity and formal shape of the river, which was effectively canalised (I bloomin’ love that word) hundreds of years ago for transportation purposes and land drainage. This is the main section, running about 19 miles from Bishopbridge to the sluice gates at South Ferriby, where it joins the Humber, and also where that nice pub is that i can ill afford.

It’s not the most exciting stretch, but you do get a feel for how rivers were intentionally altered and formatted to provide a more efficient route for transportation. It was widely accepted back in the day that a straight river offered quicker drainage of the surrounding land. That’s true, but it also had negative consequences for the river’s ecosystem and created greater flood risks downstream, hence our mechanical weir, flood walls and pumping station.

Balance was restored, however, when we turned left along the old part of the Ancholme. This beautiful stretch takes you through the town of Brigg, past the marina, and back to the straightened part of the river. This loop forms Carr Island.'

We got to rescue a couple of dragonflies. I've never seen so many in one place. Beautiful blue southern migrants were zinging all over mating and enchanting, but unfortunately a couple ended up dropping into the water, but thankful James was able to fish them out and give them space to dry their wings and zip off again!

#wearemarshyfolk @createnel