Beneath the towns of Malton and Norton are complex underground watercourses. Howard Campion looks back at their roles.
FLOODING in Malton and Norton has always been an unfortunate occurrence during and after heavy rain.
Permanent pumping units have been augmented by temporary placements and additional earthworks have improved the situation in recent years.
The effect of Mill Beck at the lower end of Welham Road results in Church Street being a regular casualty.
Regarding the underground watercourses such as those on the north side of Castlegate, there are definite ‘positives’ – their reliable supply of water led to the existence of Russell’s and Rose’s breweries.
Years before, one of them was channelled downhill and drove a mill that was situated near the Derwent.
However, uncontrolled water supply does result in the buildings down Castlegate becoming flooded.
On some occasions, water can be seen running out of properties onto Castlegate.
Similar situations at the other end of town may have influenced the naming of properties.
It is possible that Spring Cottage at the bottom of Scott’s Hill in Norton may not owe its name to a season of the year.
Off Scarborough Road, Priorpot Beck is surrounded by extensive clay beds which have facilitated brick manufacture.
Henry Oldfield’s of nearby Westfield House were the principal manufacturer in the Scarborough Road area.
Clay rich land off Park Road has been similarly exploited by Brand’s and it is certain that there was competition and cooperation between the two companies.
Priorpot Beck was originally called Clough Drain and it joined to Lowfield Drain as well as Settrington Beck.
There had evidently been attempts to rationalise and control the various watercourses in the area.
For this reason, it is likely that the nearby property was named Canal House.
It was once the home of the Leefe family and it is now thought to be where Norton Grove stud is located.
The course of the beck from Settrington to Canal House follows the field boundaries and it probably owes this torturous route to the advent of previous enclosure of the land though which the water passed.
- Howard Campion is a trustee at the Malton and Norton Heritage Centre.
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