ABOUT

 

Our objectives are to protect human life, property and the natural environment in the immediate surroundings of the Alde and Ore estuary.

 
 

The Alde & Ore Estuary Trust (AOET) is a charity, registered with the Charity Commission, registration number 1155115

We aim to provide, preserve, maintain and improve river defences and flood protection, always taking into account the conservation and protection of the natural environment, flora, fauna, features of historic interest and the landscape and beauty of the Alde and Ore.

We will achieve this by upgrading the flood defences on the river walls. This will produce major benefits to both the local and UK economies, health, well-being and the natural environment.

EACH WINTER THE ESTUARY COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCE STORM SURGES. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE CATASTROPHIC FLOODING OCCURS.

The river walls were built in the late Middle Ages and have, by and large, achieved their purpose up until now. But the increase in sea levels, dramatic weather events, and the natural deterioration of the walls themselves highlights the urgent need to upgrade and improve our defences against a catastrophic flood.

PRESERVE

Within the flood risk area of the estuary there are homes, businesses, farms and public spaces that are vital resources of national importance. But as well as these, the unique estuary habitats support an amazingly diverse group of species of wildlife and plants.

We owe it to all of these to make sure they are preserved and safeguarded for the future.

 

IMPROVE

Many sections of the existing flood defences are in poor condition and vulnerable to a 1 in 10 year flood event, some of them to a 1 in 5 event. We know a catastrophic flood can happen at any time.

We have already funded significant work on the design of flood defences which will hugely improve their resilience to a major flood. We have the design and the technology. We just need to make it happen.

 
 

PROTECT

We know a major flood is capable of causing damage to homes, businesses, wildlife habitats and the environment. We also know that flooding is a threat to the mental health and well-being of entire communities. Our plans, once implemented, will be a protective shield against all these threats and provide security within local communities for generations to come.

TRUSTEES

  • Guy Heald

    Since retirement from a career in international finance Guy has been involved in local business through hotel proprietorship and as a director of Adnams, where he is also a trustee of the Adnams Community Trust.

  • Jane Maxim

    Jane led a multi-disciplinary department at UCL and is now Emeritus Professor of Human Communication Science. She is an enthusiastic bird watcher and has a deep interest in the environment. During her time at UCL she was instrumental in applying for and getting grants, a skill she has brought to the trust. Jane lives in Aldeburgh overlooking the Aldeburgh marshes.

  • Elizabeth Stanton

    Elizabeth is a former partner in the London office of Ernst & Young, where she became head of the UK firm’s Quality and Risk Management function. She has brought this experience to bear in her role as Treasurer. Through her similar roles in other charities she understands the particular financial and governance requirements for this sector. Elizabeth’s connection to the Alde and Ore estuary goes back over 25 years.

  • Brian Johnson

    Brian has particular knowledge of the lower estuary including Butley river and has interest in environmental aspects of flood protection work. Brian has lived on the Lower Estuary for many years.