Thornton Lock

Thornton Lock, on the Pocklington Canal.
Recently restored by PCAS volunteers.
The new gates were made at the Canal and River Trust’s Stanley Ferry workshops near Wakefield.

A plaque says:
“ Lock gates and gears provided by the legacy of Tony Harrison. ( 1935 - 2014 )
Chartered Engineer. Hydrologist. Boater, Canoeist, Walker and trustee of The Inland Waterways Association.

We had to go over to Beverley today to pick up some wine for the club’s boat trip and wine tasting a week on Monday.
So decided to make a detour to Melbourne , and walk along the Pocklington Canal to see the two new Locks, which were opened a couple of weeks ago. The other one is the Walbut Lock.
This has opened up a further two and a half miles of waterway towards Pocklington .
Navigable for the first time in nearly a century.

After the walk we ate our picnic lunch,sat on a bench watching the fish jumping.
Reminded me of the start to a song:

“ Summertime and the living is easy,
Fish are jumping and the cotton is high.”

No cotton, but fields of wheat, barley, oates, and sweet corn.
Some harvested, some already ploughed, and some still waiting to de cut. The farmers were certainly busy.

It was very hot. Up to 30C in the car.
Not all blue sky though, and felt very muggy.

You can also see the swan family in this shot.
Only 5 youngsters left out of 8 two weeks ago.
I hope these survive.

All nine and a half miles of the canal has been awarded Green Flag Status . The scheme run by Keep Britain Tidy, recognises spaces that boast the highest possible environmental standards, are beautifully maintained, and play an important role in the local community.
Very well deserved.
A true hidden Yorkshire gem.
One of the most peaceful places I know.