Fresh faces step forward to save Trip Day tradition

The future of Driffield Trip Day appears to have been secured after some fresh faces agreed to join the long-running event’s organising committee, ensuring a tradition that started over 100 years ago will continue to take place.

As reported in the Wolds Weekly, there were real fears that the centenary Trip Day would be the last after two members of the organising committee stepped down at a recent meeting, which brought Jolyon Lawson, Stuart Bradshaw and Tim Cooper, the three remaining trustees, to the conclusion that it could also be the end of the road for them.

As well as dwindling numbers on the committee, rising costs, insurance and whether a day trip to Bridlington is still appealing in the 21st century were other factors behind the tough decision made by three individuals who have a long-standing association with Driffield Trip Day.

Despite this, Jolyon told the Wolds Weekly he was open to speaking to individuals who were interested in joining the committee or acting as a trustee for the event.

Driffield Town Council also placed the future of Driffield Trip Day on the agenda at its latest meeting, where councillors said they believed it was important to keep the annual event going.

Since the meeting, a number of individuals have come forward to offer their services, with Jolyon confirming to the Wolds Weekly last week that its future has all but been preserved.

Although the decision has come too late for Trip Day to take place this August, planning for the 2024 event will get underway soon, much to Jolyon’s delight.

“Overall, it is good news for Driffield Trip Day,” he said. “After several expressions of interest, we now have a few fresh faces who would like to join a new-look committee.

“Although the news is good, the clock is ticking quickly towards August and, as a result, we have decided to postpone the 2023 Trip Day.

“It means we can hit the ground running next year and allows us more time to get some income in and organise the event as we normally would.

“We’re at a stage now when we can say that we are 99.9 per cent sure Trip Day will continue in some form and that may involve changes to the way it is run.

“It’s a very pleasing outcome, as the future of Trip Day was looking very unsteady.

“However, with new blood replacing some of the former members of the committee, it should bring with it new ideas, which are always welcomed.

“We’re now looking forward to pressing ahead with organising Driffield Trip Day 2024.”

The news means that an event that had its origins in 1922 and saw over 250 day-trippers travel to the east coast from Driffield School & Sixth Form last year, will continue, extending a run that was only broken by World War Two and the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you can offer more help or support to Driffield Trip Day and would like to find out more about becoming a trustee or a member of the organising committee, contact Stuart Bradshaw on 01377 253163 or Driffield town clerk Matthew Brown on 01377 254160.