From Source To Sea; A Journey from the Wolds to the Humber.
The River Freshney is a river in the English county of North East Lincolnshire, flowing through the town of Grimsby and into the Humber estuary. The river is about 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) long and has a rich history and ecology. In this article, we will explore the river’s origins, features, and challenges, as well as its role in the development of Grimsby and its surroundings.
The River’s Source
The River Freshney originates from a series of chalk springs on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, a range of hills that form the highest land in eastern England. The Wolds are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and are home to many rare plants and animals. The river’s name comes from the Old English word fresc, meaning fresh or pure, reflecting the quality of its water.
The river has at least four main sources, although local folklore and oral tradition has it springing from Welbeck Hill, a prominent landmark in the area. The furthest south source rises just to the north of Beelsby, a village near the 60-metre (200-foot) contour. It flows north and is joined by another stream that passes by some earthworks, dating from the English Civil War, when Grimsby was besieged by the Royalists. Both streams pass under the A18 road, which connects Grimsby to the market town of Louth.
Another source, called Team Gate Drain, rises just to the west of Waltham, a large village with a medieval church and a windmill. It flows west and is joined by the stream from Welbeck Hill, which rises close to the A18 road and the 20-metre (65-foot) contour. Having combined, they flow northwards, passing under the A46 road, which links Grimsby to Lincoln, the county town.
The river is called Laceby Beck as it flows along the eastern edge of Laceby, a village that dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086. It is joined by another stream from Aylesby, a hamlet with a 13th-century church. The river then passes between some lakes at Laceby Acres, a residential area that was developed in the 1980s.
The River’s Course
From Laceby Acres, the river follows a man-made channel, called the New Cut Drain, which runs parallel to the original course of the river. The New Cut Drain was created in the 18th century to improve the drainage of the low-lying land and to provide a water supply for Grimsby’s docks. The river and the drain pass under the A1136 road, which leads to the village of Healing, and either side of the Freshney Bog Nature Reserve, a wetland habitat that supports a variety of wildlife, such as water voles, dragonflies, and orchids.
The river and the drain then cross under Cromwell Road and the railway line to Grimsby, after which the drain follows the original course of the river, while the river turns sharply under the railway line to the docks. The river passes under a series of bridges in Grimsby, such as Earl Street Bridge, Boulevard Avenue Bridge, and Corporation Bridge, a lift bridge that was built in 1925 and is still operational. The river also flows past the old granary, a Grade II listed building that was converted into flats in the 1990s.
Corporation Road Bridge over the River Freshney
Mouth of the River Freshney
The river enters Grimsby Docks, a complex of port facilities that were developed from the 19th century onwards. The docks were once the largest fishing port in the world, with a fleet of hundreds of trawlers and a thriving fish market. The docks also handled cargo, such as timber, coal, and iron ore, and served as a base for the Royal Navy during the World Wars.
The docks declined in the second half of the 20th century, due to the loss of the fishing grounds, the competition from other ports, and the closure of some industries. However, the docks have been revitalised in recent years, with new developments, such as the Grimsby Institute, the Fishing Heritage Centre, and the Dock Tower, a 94-metre (308-foot) high landmark that was built in 1852 as a hydraulic pump.
The river flows through the docks and joins the New Cut Drain, which runs along the western edge of the docks. The river and the drain then pass under a culvert and a lock, and enter the Humber estuary, a large tidal inlet that separates Lincolnshire from Yorkshire. The Humber is an important shipping route and a rich ecosystem, hosting a variety of birds, fish, and mammals, such as seals and porpoises.
Grimsby’s famous Dock Tower
The River’s Challenges
The River Freshney has faced several challenges over recent years, such as pollution, flooding, and anti-social behaviour. The river has been affected by the discharge of sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff, which reduced its water quality and harmed its wildlife. The river has also been prone to flooding, especially in the lower reaches, where the land is flat and the tide is high. The river has been subject to various flood defence schemes, such as embankments, sluices, and pumping stations, to protect the properties and infrastructure along its banks. The river has also been a target of anti-social behaviour, such as littering, vandalism, and disturbance of the wildlife. The river has been monitored and cleaned by various agencies and volunteers, such as the Environment Agency, the RiverCare group, Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue, and more latterly, The Canoe River Cleaner.
The River’s Role
The River Freshney has played a significant role in the history and development of Grimsby and its surroundings. The river has provided a source of water, a means of transport, a site of industry, and a place of recreation for the people and the communities along its course. The river has also contributed to the identity and the character of the area, as a symbol of its heritage and its potential.
The River Freshney And The Future
The river is a valuable asset and a natural resource that deserves to be respected and preserved for the present and the future generations.
And thanks to James Elliott, under the guise of All Things Good And Nice, and The Canoe River Cleaner, the river’s future looks bright.
Through various charitable revenue streams and local business funding, Jim and his team of ‘Freshney Comrades’ have voluntarily adopted a shared stewardship of the river. Their combined efforts since 2021are already starting to bear fruit, and we are witnessing an amazing resurgence in the general health of the river and its associated flora & fauna.
Through both action & education, delivered by a team of wonderful volunteers, our beautiful chalk stream fed River Freshney has a bright and crystal clear future for today’s and future communities along its banks.
