Progress for the Alde and Ore Estuary
We are very pleased to update you on the breakthrough we have been able to achieve, working in partnership with the East Suffolk Water Management Board (ESWMB), the Alde & Ore Community Partnership (AOCP) and the Environment Agency (EA). This will see improvements made to the Alde and Ore Estuary river defences, starting in 2027. Unlocking progress Our agreement, to provide grant awards of up to £250,000 a year for five years towards a significant programme of works, has been met by a matching contribution of £250,000 a year from the ESWMB. The Environment Agency is currently contributing £10,000 per year. Under the terms of the agreement, works will start next year. We have accelerated this work by providing 50% of the funding for a technical consultant who is employed by the East Suffolk Water Management Board. His role is, by the end of September, to produce a detailed report on the current status of our estuary’s defences and prepare a project plan based on the risk of flooding and the urgency of works required. Our approach The whole Estuary Plan remains our long-term goal. However, the community has been trying to deliver the plan for many years and has been met by constant delay, red tape and cost increases. In the shorter-term, this new agreement is a pragmatic way forward. We will be in a better position to obtain the approvals which are needed to get crucial work underway, and to repair on-going damage. This will help halt further decline and give us a better foundation for future works. For the Trust, following years of frustration, this agreement is a significant step towards positive action. Community Support A meeting of all those involved in our new agreement was hosted by our MP, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, on Friday 10th July. A clear message is that we must all work together to improve defences and plan for the long term. Plan Details The ESWMB has just issued a newsletter which details the work towards a September improvement plan, and we will communicate with you as outcomes are known.
Alde & Ore Embankment Improvements July 2025 update
The Upper Alde and Ore Estuary Embankment Improvement Project is Phase 1 of the Alde and Ore Estuary Plan. Its goal is to upgrade river walls, reducing flood risk to towns, villages, farmland, infrastructure and wildlife habitats. The latest newsletter provides an update since April 2025.
Alde-Ore Economic Study 2024
The headlines of this study are that there were an amazing 735 completed responses, some individual and some from families or visiting groups, demonstrating how the area is valued. Based on these surveys and supplementary official statistics, the estimated value of the area, was £130 million, greater than the earlier 2013 survey. The area was particularly valued for its beauty, peace and tranquillity. The full details will prove valuable evidence to support the case for further funding for the estuary river defences and will also be useful when challenging developments that could undermine the local economy. The Association is very grateful to all those who completed the questionnaires whether members, members of other bodies in the Alde and Ore area, residents or visitors, all of whose individual contributions enabled the survey to be completed. The full survey can be found under our Research section within our Publications page.
Upper Alde & Ore Estuary Embankment Improvement Project Update
Come and find out more… Engineers from the East Suffolk Water Management Board, working on the Upper Alde & Ore Estuary Embankment Improvement Project, will be available at a drop-in and Q&A session on the Snape flood defences. They will be joined by representatives from the Environment Agency, the Alde & Ore Community Partnership, and the Alde & Ore Estuary Trust to share updates on the plans and progress. 7th April 2025, 4pm– 6:45pm Snape Village Hall, IP17 1RN Project Presentation 5:45pm A&O Drop In Event Invite. 2025-03-27 Phase 1 Upper Alde Ore Estuary April 2025 Newsletter_v4.01
Alde and Ore Estuary Trust’s latest financial statements and report
To read the Alde and Ore Estuary Trust’s latest financial statements and report on the works to improve the river flood defence embankments, please click the link below: Alde and Ore Estuary Trust Annual Report and Financial Statement
Appeal for help to provide the evidence that the Alde and Ore Area is highly valued.
We need your help to provide the evidence that the Alde and Ore Area is highly valued. We are launching the third of our ten-yearly studies assessing the value and worth of the area to residents, second home owners, visitors, sailing community and wild life. This involves surveys being completed by as many people as possible: the information will be kept anonymous so no individual can be identified. With the evidence and data that will be collected, we will then be in a good position to help in preparing a strong case for the improvement of the estuary walls in the Lower Estuary and to challenge any policy or planning developments what would be inimical to the well–being of the area and all who enjoy it. The last study, Alde-Ore Economic Study in 2013/14 (located under publications or accessible here) proved very useful in helping make the case which achieved over £11 million for the upper estuary improvements. It also was used in seeking to make the several energy projects aware of not only the special landscape but also the value to the economy and people’s everyday lives given by this area of outstanding natural beauty. The first study in 2003/4 now provides a base from which to measure how the area has grown, changed or stayed the same and confirms the longstanding features which have always been valued and which attract people to live, work and relax here. We would therefore urge you to complete this latest survey, so the worth of the area can be updated and new valued features recognised. The results will enable the Association and others who can use the results, to support, defend or make the case for the preservation and protection of the area. Please can you also ask friends who are not members of the Association, businesses and any visitors you meet to complete the survey. We know the area is loved by people from near and far and we need to have the evidence to prove it. We also need volunteers to help. We plan to encourage visitors to complete the survey and are looking for volunteers who would be happy to spend half a day in one of the local area carparks or meeting points to interview people or encourage anyone to complete the form. There will be posters with QR codes to hand out and some hard copies of the survey. Of course briefing will be given to volunteers. Please let us know if you would like to put in a little time to help the survey by emailing us on info@aldeandore.org The survey runs through out July and August and early responses will be most welcome. To access the survey please click here. With many thanks for taking the time to do this. Alde and Ore Association Trustees
Flotilla 2024 – Walking to Orford
If you would like to walk to Orford alongside the flotilla, we will have two river crossings from Aldeburgh Yacht Club (AYC) to a temporary landing craft directly opposite AYC. The first river crossing will be at 8.15am, the second at 8.45am. The walk is just under 5 miles (8 kilometres) along the river walls and will take between 1.5 to 2.5 hours to complete. Further details can be found on the AOET website.
Can you help us assess the true value of our estuary?
Temporary Paid Summer Job as Survey Co-ordinator We are seeking a Survey Coordinator on a temporary basis. Could this be you, or do you know of someone who might like to do this short summer job? The Alde & Ore Association is a registered charity and membership organisation. We take care of the Alde, Ore and Butley rivers and the surrounding landscapes. Our 2,000 members include local community residents, sailors, swimmers, walkers, birdwatchers, craftspeople and artists, business owners, farmers and visitors, who all cherish this unique and beautiful place. Our focus is on tomorrow as well as today: we take seriously our responsibility to ensure that these wonderful assets are passed on in good condition to the next generation. As part of this work we are undertaking an economic survey. Every 10 years the Association has conducted a survey to assess the economic value of the area so we are armed to defend the estuary from developments or to make the case for support. Assessing the real value of our fragile surroundings will equip us to deal better with present or future proposals which pose a threat to it, especially those which claim to offer an economic payback. We are undertaking a survey in July and August this year to match the previous surveys. The survey will consist of questionnaires to be completed online or on paper if necessary and interviews with local people and visitors. We are looking for a someone who would like to work with us over the summer as our Survey Co-ordinator to work closely with the Chair, trustees and the consultants RPA – Risk Policy Analysts. The role is flexible and the main duties will be: placing of posters with permission from shops and other businesses or organisations; organising a roster of volunteers to promote the survey in key carparks in the area and at events; collecting if necessary paper copy returns (most returns will be submitted online); liaising with RPA on where to place more focus on securing survey returns; and any other similar duties as and when needs arise. We envisage the role requiring approximately 20 hours a week from end-June 2024 to late August 2024. Pay will be a minimum of £12 per hour and is negotiable according to experience, with the potential to receive a discretionary bonus upon completion of the project. For further details please contact Alison Andrews at aldeblackburn@aol.com, or phone 01728 452660 Closing date for applications is 5 July 2024
Result of the Five Estuaries Consultation on protected sites for Lesser Black-backed gulls
Five Estuaries have announced that following the consultation to put up protected enclosures to encourage Lesser Black-Backed gulls to breed, they have dropped one of the four proposed sites, that at Chantry, just south of Orford quay. This is good news as they have listened to the comments from the Association and others that the site would have interfered with important local paths,and might have added complications for the improvements to the estuary embankments. The other three sites on Orfordness north east of Cobra Mist are now being taken forward as proposed. See map for location. Click the picture below to open in a larger view:
Aldeburgh to Orford Fundraising Flotilla 2024
The Alde and Ore Estuary Trust Flotilla is back on Sunday 28th July 2024. Will you swim, paddle board, row, kayak or canoe? Click on the link below for more information. Flotilla 2024