Enjoy a Crag Path Christmas and support the Estuary Trust
Join a cast of West End performers in celebration of the rich heritage of this unique Suffolk coastal town and wallow in the Yuletide spirit of the atmospheric Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall, culminating in a festive sing-a-long. Let the Ghosts of Aldeburgh take you through Christmas past, present and future on a joyous celebration of all that makes the season and this seaside special. Bring your friends and family for the gala opening night from 6.30pm on 27th December where tickets priced £30 for adults and £15 for children include a festive drink and nibbles after the show, together with a donation to support the Alde & Ore Estuary Trust. The Trust’s fundraising work supports the upgrade of vital flood defences of the River Alde & Ore, to protect our shared economy, homes and landscapes. Suitable for ages 4 to 104, For full details on the Trust’s site and for online booking, click here.
Environment Agency work at Slaughden
The Environment Agency’s restoration of defences at Slaughden south of the Martello Tower has now been complete ahead of schedule. The storms at the end of September brought more shingle but repairs were still needed. For pictures of previous damage and works to repair it, please click here.
Thank you to all members who opted in for emails
Thank you to all our members who confirmed that they are happy to receive information from the Association by email. This makes it easier for us to get in touch with you and significantly reduces the cost of doing so. The response to the request, which was prompted by the new General Data Protection Regulations, was far in excess of the national average. If you do have an email address but have not confirmed that we may use it, please do so by clicking here. As we mentioned in a recent letter, the printing and postage costs of a single letter are more than 20% of a single annual subscription to the Association!
Summer Events on the Alde and Ore in 2018 – Barbecue, walk and bike ride
This glorious summer continues with events on the Alde and Ore Estuary. First there is the annual Alde and Ore Association Barbecue on Sunday, 26th August near Ferry Farm, Sudbourne by kind invitation of the Skepper family (not 6th August as originally published with the spring Newsletter). This is the main social event of the Assocation’s year – book early as places are limited. Then on Friday, 7th September, the second walk of the summer is round the ‘Gedgrave Corner’ including a guided tour of Pinney’s smokehouse and a light lunch at the Orford Sailing Club. For full details and the application form, click here. Finally, on Saturday, 22nd September, the Alde and Ore Estuary Trust are organising the Four Ferries Charity Bike Ride in aid of the river defences. The total ride is some 42 miles and crosses the four foot ferries of Suffolk including the Association sponsored Butley Ferry. Full details will follow on the Trust’s website www.aoetrust.org, in the near future. Details of all these events can be found under our Events page.
Brick Dock development goes to appeal
BRICK DOCK: PLANNING APPEAL BY DEVELOPER FOR PERMISSION TO BUILD 43 HOUSES Reference_ APP/J3530/W/17/3172629 Brickfield Barns, Saxmundham Road, Aldeburgh, Suffolk The Alde and Ore Association is concerned to protect the estuary and its use and enjoyment for all members of the public. The proposed development at Brick Dock to build a further 43 houses would effectively urbanise that corner of the valley, creating a swathe of roofs, instead of the green country corner, and having windows overlooking the river creating both a built up effect and light pollution both at night and from glinting glass during the day. The larger housing area is also likely to affect the relative tranquillity of the Brick Dock shore affecting the much prized range of habitual migratory and residential birds, the presence of which is acknowledged by the range of natural environment protection designations. The Association has already submitted three full objections to the proposal during the course of its hearings in Suffolk Coastal District Council in 2013, 2015 and 2016. The developer has now taken his case to appeal with the Secretary of State. The Association, as others have done, submitted a further objection against the appeal in 2017. A Public Inquiry will now take place for at least five days beginning Tuesday 11 September. There are many local people, organisations and bodies representing different interests and a single counsel covering all their overlapping interests is being engaged. The Aldeburgh Society has taken on the co-ordinating role of collecting in the funds to meet the costs of some £15,000. Given the need to use money and resources most effectively and the strict planning inquiry process the Association Trustees have decided that the Association’s key concerns to protect the environment can best be met by contributing £1000 to the fund which is being collected on behalf of all by the Aldeburgh Society. Alde and Ore Association members are also invited to contribute directly if they so wish. For further details see the Aldeburgh Society’s website, www.aldeburghsociety.org.uk. Alison Andrews Chairman of the Alde and Ore Association 23 July 2018
Exhibition of pictures by Susanna MacInnes in aid of the Estuary Trust
Members are invited to a special Estuary Trust fundraising evening featuring pictures by Susanna MacInnes from 6 to 9pm on Friday 11th August in the Aldeburgh Gallery, 143 High Street Aldeburgh. Susanna’s work can be previewed at her website http://www.pindroppainting.com.
Wrong form sent out for the Barbecue
We regret that last year’s form for the annual Barbecue was sent out with the spring newsletter. The correct form, showing this year’s date, Sunday 26th August, and location on the river bank near Ferry Farm, Sudbourne was posted on the website.
Annual General Meeting 2018
The 27th AGM of The Association will be held at at Thorpeness Country Club on Saturday, 7th April at 10.30am. Tea and coffee will be served from 10.00am. For more details and documents, please see the AGM page under Events.
AOEP Annual Community Meeting
Members are encouraged to attend the forthcoming AOEP Annual Community Meeting at Snape Maltings Recital Room on 14th April from 10.30am-1pm to learn the latest information and progress on the Estuary Plan. The Community Meeting is being preceded by a number of drop in sessions. The first well attended session was at Orford and there is a session at Aldeburgh Church Hall today 13th March from 2pm to 7pm followed by Snape on 14th March at the same time. For details see the AOEP site, aoep.co.uk.
Brick Dock
The applicants for the proposed new site at Aldeburgh Brick Dock have lodged environmental considerations with the planners. It would appear therefore that, although this development has previously been refused, the applicants are persisting. The Association will watch developments….