The Way We Were: Troubled waters for supporters of through navigation on the River Derwent

SUPPORTERS of through navigation on the River Derwent from Sutton to Malton are being urged to follow the lead of naturalist Sir Peter Scott and speak out against the idea.

Sir Peter, who has resigned as vice-president of the Inland Waterways Association because he was opposed to the group’s support for the river scheme, had been hailed as one of the leading lights in the pro-navigation campaign.

But now he has resigned, others, including Malton Town Council, should change their position said Ian Carstairs, a spokesman for the group opposed to through navigation.

Mr Carstairs, of the River Derwent appeal for the conservation of the river and its wildlife, said the group’s members felt sad it had come to Sir Peter’s resignation from the IWA.

“But clearly we are very pleased he has confirmed the way we feel about the river. We are now asking others to follow his lead in the recognition that the river is something special and that wildlife conservation should have priority.”

Malton town councillor John Dodsworth, who supports the through navigation plan, said he believed Sir Peter had been heavily lobbied and pressurised from one side. He said he had expected the naturalist’s resignation from the IWA for some time.

The dismissal of Gerald Cheetham from his post as deputy district solicitor to Ryedale District Council in 1984 was upheld in London.

His sacking followed complaints about his conduct at a meeting where he admitted that he had been openly doing work which was nothing to do with the meeting or the business of Ryedale District Council.

The incident happened just over six months after he had been given a written warning about his conduct following a disciplinary hearing finding that he had put in expenses claims to the council for journeys he had not made on council business.

Employment Appeal Tribunal chairman, Mr Justice Peter Gibson, rejected complaints by Mr Cheetham, of Briergate, Haxby, that his dismissal after 10 years of service was unfair and dismissed his appeal against an industrial tribunal’s refusal to find that his sacking was unfair.

From the Malton Gazette & Herald from this week in 1968

VILLAGERS of Fadmoor and Gillamoor have objected to Ryedale Water Board over the treatment of the moorland water supply with lime to combat plumbo-solvent dangers.

Tests of the supply months ago revealed a high plumbo-solvent content. At the time it was pointed out that during the 60 years the supply had been used no instance of lead poisoning had arisen.

The Fadmoor representative at a Public Health Committee meeting of Kirkbymoorside Rural Council, Sir Charles Richmond Brown, said a parish meeting of the two villages had voted unanimously against treating the supply. It was agreed to fight the board’s decision.

“We are perfectly satisfied with the water as it is, and we have someone looking into the matter for us,” he said.

A LOSS on the annual show of £120 was reported by Malton Agricultural Society. The society’s annual report says this was before taking credit for interest on investments, which amounted to £270. Thus the society actually finished the year in credit. Although the 1968 show had been held on a good weather day, the preceding days were wet and this appeared to have an effect on the attendance.

The loss on the year was not as high as was first expected since there was a saving on prize money due to the cancellation of most of the dairy cattle classes, and also the reduced cost of entertainment.