Alde & Ore Estuary: Past, Present and Future

Continuing with its programme of ‘virtual’ meetings, we were delighted to host a talk from Alison Andrews, entitled ‘The Alde and Ore Estuary – Past Present and Future’.

A long-standing resident of Aldeburgh and the Secretary of the Aldeburgh and District Local History Society (ADLHS), Alison first sailed on the estuary in 1985 and, since 2003, has been actively involved with various organisations dedicated to the preservation of this beautiful landscape.

Reflecting her love of the environment and passion for geography (her degree subject at Oxford University), Alison’s presentation was a perfect blend of fascinating historical maps and impressive aerial images charting the evolution of the Alde and Ore estuary from its inception until the present day.

For those of us who take delight in rambling along the raised marsh banks at Aldeburgh or bird-watching on the mud-flats of Hazlewood or the Iken shoreline, it was something of a surprise to learn that the precious landscape we now take for granted dates back to the 12th Century.  It was then that Henry II, responsible for the construction of Orford Castle, decreed that a wall should be built to protect the surrounding fertile land from the encroaching North Sea.  The discovery that the Alde and Ore estuary is essentially a man-made structure, that winds its way through 44 kilometres of tidal flood defence frontage, was equally revelatory.

The second half of Alison’s most informative talk struck a more serious note, serving to remind us that without sufficient funding to maintain coastal flood defences, some £20/£30m annual income from leisure activities, 3,878 hectares of farmland, 101 kilometres of public and permissive footpaths and 300 homes are at risk.  Against all this, a much needed injection of £15m, spread over the next seven years, to carry out essential structural work, seems a modest ask.

Turning to what individuals can do to help preserve the Alde and Ore Estuary for future generations, Alison’s principal plea was for people to be more aware of the special landscape on their doorstep.  However, she did alert us to the fund-raising activities of the Alde and Ore Estuary Trust and the separate Alde and Ore Community Partnership, the websites of which both offer excellent 10 minute films about the challenges of maintaining the river walls.

Chris Broom

The speaker for this evening's ONLINE talk is Alison Andrews, resident of Aldeburgh, Chairman of the Alde & Ore Association, and Secretary of the Aldeburgh & District Local History Society.  She has been involved in Alde and Ore flood-defence matters since 2003.

The Alde and Ore Estuary is both a natural and a man-made landscape, tended over many centuries, since the first river-walls were built in the 12th century.  During her talk, Alison will describe the history of this, including the work of local communities and landowners, and will touch upon what is being done now to take on the baton of stewardship handed down to our current generation.  It all began with Henry II having Orford Castle built ...

This talk will be held over Zoom — and only for Members, who will receive further details in the October Newsletter, whilst joining instructions will follow by email later.