Driffield: The Wolds' Enduring Heartbeat
An academic exploration into the rich history, vibrant culture, and unique traditions of East Yorkshire's 'Capital of the Wolds'.
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Driffield: An Overview
Geographical Context
Driffield, often referred to as Great Driffield to distinguish it from its neighbor Little Driffield, is a prominent market town and civil parish situated in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. Its strategic location places it approximately 53 miles (85 km) northeast of Leeds, 29 miles (47 km) east of York, and 23 miles (37 km) north of Hull. Positioned near the geographical center of the Yorkshire Wolds, Driffield proudly bears the moniker "The Capital of the Wolds".
Population Dynamics
According to the 2011 UK census, the parish of Driffield recorded a population of 13,080. This figure represents a notable increase from the 2001 UK census, which reported 11,477 residents. This growth underscores the town's evolving demographic landscape within the region. The town's appeal was further recognized in the 2019 Sunday Times report, which listed Driffield among the Best Places to Live in northern England.[1][2][3][4]
Historical Foundations
Anglo-Saxon Roots
The origins of Driffield trace back to the Anglo-Saxon period. Its name, first documented in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in 705 AD, signifies "dirty (manured) field," reflecting its agricultural heritage. The town's presence is also recorded in the historic Domesday Book of 1086, further solidifying its ancient lineage.[5][6][7][8]
Prehistoric Discoveries
Archaeological endeavors in the 19th century unearthed a significant Bronze Age mound just outside Driffield. The artifacts recovered from this site, now preserved in the British Museum, include a knife, a dagger, a beaker, and a greenstone wrist-guard. These items date back to between 2200 and 1500 BC, providing tangible evidence of early human settlement and activity in the area.[9]
Medieval and Wartime Legacy
The landscape of Driffield also bears the remnants of its medieval past, with Driffield Castle, a motte-and-bailey fortification, located at Moot Hill. More recently, during the Second World War, RAF Driffield became a target for the Luftwaffe. A raid on 15 August 1940 by Junkers Ju 88s resulted in 14 fatalities and numerous injuries, marking the site of the first death in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during the conflict.[10][11]
Civic Administration
Electoral Representation
Driffield constitutes a significant portion of the Driffield and Rural electoral ward, which, as of the 2011 Census, encompassed a total population of 15,199, extending northwest towards Sledmere. For elections to the Westminster Parliament, the town falls within the Bridlington and the Wolds constituency.[12][13]
Town Hall's Evolution
Driffield Town Hall, a historical civic building, ceased its function for public events in 1986 when it was acquired by The Bell Hotel. This transition reflects a shift in the town's administrative and social infrastructure over time.[14]
Cultural & Community Life
Commercial Hub
The commercial heart of Driffield is its main high street, Middle Street, which hosts a diverse array of independent and chain shops. A vibrant market continues to be a weekly fixture in the town center every Thursday. Historically, Driffield also maintained a significant cattle market, which operated until its closure in 2001, marking a change in the town's agricultural trading practices.[15][16]
Annual Events
Driffield is renowned for its large-scale annual events:
- Driffield Show: Recognized as the United Kingdomโs largest one-day annual agricultural show, it draws considerable crowds and showcases the region's agricultural prowess.[17][18]
- Driffield Steam and Vintage Rally: Held each August, this event celebrates historical vehicles, including traction engines, fairground organs, tractors, and vintage cars and trucks. A particular highlight is the Saturday evening road-run, where steam engines and other vehicles parade through Driffield town center, attracting large numbers of spectators. The rally also features demonstrations of traditional agricultural practices like ploughing and threshing.[19][20][21]
Public Services
The town is equipped with essential public services, including the Alfred Bean Hospital, a local fire station, and a police station, ensuring community safety and well-being. Additionally, Driffield is home to several churches, which contribute to the town's social and spiritual fabric.
Waterways and Recreation
Driffield is uniquely positioned on the Driffield Navigation canal, near the source of the River Hull, within the picturesque Yorkshire Wolds. The Driffield Navigation Trust actively maintains this waterway and organizes an annual raft race and open day gala at the River Head, fostering community engagement and celebrating the town's connection to its aquatic environment. The Driffield Beck, running parallel to the main high street, is a popular spot for fishing, particularly for brown trout and grayling, attracting anglers to its clear waters.[22][23]
Educational Institutions
Primary Education
Driffield provides a comprehensive educational pathway starting with two infant schools: Driffield Northfield Infant School and Driffield Church Of England Voluntary Controlled Infant School. Following infant education, children aged 7โ11 attend Driffield Junior School, which serves as the town's larger junior institution.[24][25][26]
Secondary and Special Education
For secondary education, Driffield School & Sixth Form offers a broad curriculum up to A-level standard, catering to a wide age range. The town also addresses specific educational needs through Kings Mill Special School. For those seeking independent schooling, Pocklington School is the nearest available option.[27][28]
Connectivity & Travel
Road Network
Driffield is well-connected by road, with the A614, A166, and B1249 routes passing through or near the town. These arterial roads facilitate access to surrounding areas and broader regional destinations.
Rail Services
The town is served by Driffield railway station, which is located on the Yorkshire Coast Line. Northern, a prominent train operating company, provides direct services from Driffield to key regional centers including Sheffield, Doncaster, York, Hull, Beverley, Bridlington, and Scarborough, enhancing its accessibility for commuters and travelers.[29]
Bus Connections
East Yorkshire Motor Services offers regular bus routes connecting Driffield to several important towns and cities. These services link Driffield with Hull, Pocklington, Beverley, Bridlington, and Scarborough, providing essential public transport options for residents and visitors alike.[29]
Demographic Profile
Religious Landscape
Ecumenical Community
Driffield is home to nine churches that actively collaborate under the umbrella of 'Churches Together in Driffield', fostering an ecumenical spirit within the community. This collective effort supports various spiritual and social initiatives across the town.[31]
Diverse Denominations
The town's religious diversity is reflected in its array of Christian denominations:
- Anglican: The Church of All Saints, a Grade I listed building since 1963, is a significant historical and architectural landmark. St Mary's church, also Anglican, serves the neighboring village of Little Driffield within the same benefice. A former Anglican church, Saint John's on St Johns Road, has since been demolished.[32][33][34]
- Roman Catholic: Our Lady and Saint Edward, a small Roman Catholic Church, was constructed in 1886.[35]
- Methodist: The Methodist Church on Middle Street North was rebuilt in 2018, replacing its original 1880 structure with a modern facility. Bourne Methodists, a Primitive Methodist Church, is located on Westgate.[36][37][38][39]
- Other Denominations: The Salvation Army maintains a building on The Mount. Driffield Christian Fellowship, an Elim Pentecostal church, holds its services in the Performing Arts Hall at Driffield School. The Congregational Church is situated on Exchange Street, and the Revive Church meets at the Community Centre on Mill Street.[33][40][41][42]
Unique Local Customs
The Scrambling Tradition
Driffield is distinguished by its unique, age-old tradition known as 'Scrambling', which dates back to the 18th century. This event takes place a few days into the New Year, where children parade through the main street, reciting an ancient rhyme to local shopkeepers. In exchange for their spirited chant, they receive money and various goodies. The traditional cry is: "Here we are at our town's end...With a shoulder of mutton and a crown to spend...Are we downhearted?..No!...Shall we win?...Yes!..." This custom highlights a vibrant connection to the town's historical community spirit.[43]
New Year's Eve Gathering
Another cherished tradition in Driffield involves the townspeople congregating in the market place on New Year's Eve. Here, they collectively await and listen for the church bells, which ring in the new year, marking a communal celebration and a moment of shared anticipation.
Climatic Characteristics
Temperate Environment
Driffield experiences a warm and temperate climate, classified as Cfb under the Kรถppen-Geiger system, indicating a marine west coast climate. The region typically receives higher than average rainfall compared to many other parts of the UK. The average annual temperature in Driffield is approximately 9.5 ยฐC, with an average annual rainfall of 719 mm.[44]
Detailed Climate Data
Further meteorological insights are provided by the Met Office, detailing monthly averages for maximum and minimum temperatures, precipitation, and sunshine hours. This data offers a comprehensive understanding of Driffield's seasonal weather patterns.[45]
Sporting Endeavors
Football Scene
Driffield boasts a vibrant football community. While Driffield Mariners Football Club, a former three-time Hull Sunday League champion, is no longer active, the town is currently represented by two prominent men's teams: Driffield Junior Football Club and Driffield Evening Institute. Both teams compete in Division One of the Humber Premier League, the second-highest league in the East Riding. Additionally, Driffield has its own local football league, the Driffield and District League, established in 1919, which currently comprises nine teams from the town and surrounding areas.
Cricket Heritage
The Driffield Cricket Club is a notable institution, with its first team participating in the ECB Yorkshire Premier League North. The club has a rich history of attracting talented players, including first-class cricketers such as Andrew Gale, Richard Pyrah, Steven Patterson, Jonny Bairstow, Ishara Amerasinghe, and Abid Ali, all of whom have played for the club.
Rugby Union
Driffield RUFC is an active member of both the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Yorkshire RFU. The club's senior men's teams compete in the Regional 1 North East league, while the women's team plays in the Women's Championship North 2 league. Driffield RUFC fields five senior teams (four men's and one women's), a colts team (for both boys and girls), and comprehensive mini/junior sections covering every age group from under 7s to under 17s.[46]
Hockey and Golf
Driffield Hockey Club plays its home matches at the Driffield Sports Centre. The club fields three men's teams and four ladies' teams, alongside junior and veterans sections. Despite the town's size, the club has achieved considerable success, with both the men's and ladies' first XIs earning promotion from their respective YHA Yorkshire Premier Divisions to the North League Division 2 East and North League Division 2 South East (the 5th tier of English Hockey) at the close of the 2013โ14 season. Driffield also offers an 18-hole golf club, which has been established at its current location since 1934.[47][48][49]
Cycling and Facilities
The town gained recognition in the cycling world by featuring on the route of the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire. Complementing its sporting activities, Driffield is equipped with a modern sports center on Bridlington Road, which opened in 2009. This facility replaced an older center and includes a main swimming pool, a learner pool, a sports hall, a 50-piece gym, and a versatile studio/multi-use room, catering to a wide range of fitness and recreational needs.[50][51]
Local Media Landscape
Print Journalism
Driffield and the wider Wolds area are served by the local newspaper, Driffield & Wolds Weekly, which commenced publication in August 2015. This publication filled a void left by the cessation of the Driffield Times in 2016, ensuring that the community continues to receive dedicated local news coverage.[52]
Television Broadcasts
Local news and television programming for Driffield are provided by BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and ITV Yorkshire. These broadcasts are received via the Belmont TV transmitter, ensuring residents have access to regional and national television content.[53]
Radio Presence
The town benefits from a variety of local radio stations. These include BBC Radio Humberside on 95.9 FM, Nation Radio East Yorkshire on 99.8 FM, Capital Yorkshire on 105.8 FM, and Hits Radio East Yorkshire & North Lincolnshire on 96.9 FM. Additionally, Great Driffield Radio, launched in November 2018 on 107.2 FM, specifically broadcasts across the town and its surrounding villages, offering hyper-local content.[54]
Notable Individuals
Figures of Influence
Driffield has been the birthplace or home to several individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields:
- Benjamin Fawcett: A prominent 19th-century woodblock color printer, known for his intricate and high-quality work.[58]
- Hazel Gaynor: A celebrated author, contributing to contemporary literature.
- Alexander Francis Lydon: Another skilled woodblock color printer, who collaborated with Benjamin Fawcett.[59]
- James Mosley: A distinguished British librarian, preservationist, and historian, recognized for his expertise in typography and printing history.
- Curtis Woodhouse: A unique figure who achieved professional success in two distinct sporting careers, as a footballer and later as a boxer.[60]
- Mick Woodmansey: Best known as the drummer for David Bowie's iconic band, The Spiders from Mars, leaving a lasting mark on rock music history.[61]
In Popular Culture
Slaughterhouse Studios
Between 1985 and 1992, Driffield was home to Slaughterhouse Studios, a significant recording studio that attracted notable musical acts. Bands such as Napalm Death, The Mission, and most famously, Happy Mondays, utilized the studio's facilities to record their music, embedding Driffield into a chapter of British music history.[55][56]
International Ties
Sister City Relationship
Driffield maintains an international twinning relationship with Saint Affrique, a commune located in southern France. This partnership fosters cultural exchange and strengthens bonds between the two communities.[57]
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References
References
- Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Peterborough Manuscript (E), 706, translated and edited by Michael Swanton, (1996), p. 41
- Great Driffield in the Domesday Book
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