The River Seven

There would not have been a village without the River Seven.  On some 19th century maps the spelling is Severn.  It was the only source of water for hundreds of years.  There are plenty of fish including trout.  Kingfishers and herons are seen occasionally.  A sulphur spring is visible in the river when the water is low. A similar spring can be found below the hill at Riseborough, close to Spring Wood adjoining Coopers Covert.  Both the springs are said to be of a similar quality to the Spa at Harrogate.

There used to be stepping stones upstream of the road bridge.  Fossils have been found in the river bed.  The iron bridge to the north of the village was once a diving point for children (before the weir was constructed).

The Iron Bridge & Weir

There have been many floods over the years.  In 1868 a man narrowly escaped drowning at Normanby Bridge when he was carried downstream for a quarter of a mile.  The 5th of September 1872 was another high flood.

Corn Field September 1927	Floods in 1947

This and previous flooding encouraged the North Yorkshire River Board to improve the Seven's flow and rebuild the flood banks in the 1950's.

The flood banks were constructed using a narrow gauge railway to transport the spoil.  The spoil wagons being loaded by drag-line excavator operated by William Frank the engine driver being John Harding.

Fish Ponds circa 1950.	Fish Ponds circa 1950.	Fish Ponds circa 1950.
Opposite Bridge Farm circa 1950.	Barn Farm Derailment circa 1950.	Normanby Bridge circa 1950.

Engine derailment (Note the capped Steam Engine's stand pipe referred to in Isabel McLeans's account of the village water supply.) L - R John Harding & William Frank.  Shovels were used in the final phases to tidy up the flood banks William Frank (senior) with shiny shovel.  Only two compaction rammers were used on the flood banks, the compaction was done in rows very similar to forming earth steps on a slope.  Loose spoil was scattered over the steps formed, raked out to a uniform slope and grass seeded.  After widening the river, Willow erosion mats were used on the banks that were subject to fast flows and on bends to stop undermining.  The willows were cut back from time to time.  Shrubs and trees have grown high since this photograph.

River Seven at Normanby, Sample Hydrograph of Gauged Daily Flows.

http://www.nwl.ac.uk/ih/nrfa/station_summaries/027/057.html

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In more recent times the road at the south end of the village has been under 2 foot of water and the road at the north end by the council houses has also been flooded.

Near the Sun Inn 1978

The Bridge 1978

Pasture House flood banks under water

Pasture House flood banks under water

Floods of 2002 at the Sun Inn

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Near the Sun Inn 1978