Swimmers and paddlers. Join us for the famous Aldeburgh to Orford flotilla. A 5 mile swim or paddle (board / row / canoe / kayak) through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It’s a challenge, but all for a fantastic cause.

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, features of historic interest and the landscape and beauty of the Alde and Ore. 

The Alde and Ore estuary is a unique environment. The 44km of river walls provide a crucial defence against flooding, protecting local communities, homes and businesses. They also provide and protect a rich, natural and diverse habitat for an immense variety of flora and fauna.

In January 2023, the Environment Agency (EA) and the Regional Flood & Coastal Committee (RFCC) approved funding for the Upper Estuary and work has begun to raise, widen and strengthen the river walls. Once upgraded, these resilient river defences will be able to withstand a 1 in 75 year flood event (1.33% chance), even when overtopped. The EA will provide a grant for the Lower Estuary, but we need funds to bridge the gap between what the EA will give, and how much the Lower Estuary will cost.

Our flotilla will be match-funded, so your fundraising is important to help us to reach our target and to make this flotilla a resounding success. By entering our flotilla you can help to make a difference to preserve, improve and protect our estuary. Are you up for the challenge?

Members of the public may attend the AOCP meeting, please let the Hon Sec know aldeblackburn@aol.com

The following is from Tim Beach,  Chairman of the Alde and Ore Community Partnership:

Dear representatives to AOCP and Advisers

The AOCP quarterly meetings provide a valuable opportunity to hear about and discuss the river defence plans.

The plans for ensuring the improvement of the Alde and Ore river embankments continue to progress as planned. Phase 1 of the construction works in the upper estuary are starting this coming spring and the development of the Business Plan to secure permissions and funding for Phase 2 the Lower Estuary continue to progress. The full details were described at the Open Day and meeting on 7 October 2023 at Snape Maltings.  The details are available on the virtual visitor web site that has been created for the Alde and Ore https;//aldeore.exhibition.app/

The plans are proceeding on the set time table and as yet no new issues have emerged requiring explanation or discussion, so that an updating discussion will add little to what you already know. It is proposed that the meeting pencilled in for Thursday 25 January 2024 is postponed until Thursday 21 March 2024.  

The only immediate business matter is commenting on a consultation by the Five Estuaries wind farm proposals to create protected breeding sites for Lesser Black Backed Gulls on the Ness and at Chantry. We will be shortly circulating the proposed draft response from the AOCP. We think  that the issue can probably be dealt with by email, but of course if anyone asks for a meeting having seen the draft response this can be arranged.

It is therefore proposed that the next AOCP meeting will be on Thursday 21 March 2024 at 6.30pm, the place will be decided nearer the time.

Best regards

 Tim Beach

 Chairman of the Alde and Ore Community Partnership

Children’s races, some with parents are a popular draw, but perhaps the biggest attraction is the famous Orford Dog Race. Rules for this event are liberally interpreted with classes for small and large dogs.

The ‘hounds’ are lined up by their owners, given a juicy bone to sniff which they chase over a short course. The spectacle of mixed breeds, some keen, some totally uninterested and some whose interest wanders in other directions, makes this exciting contest a fitting finale to the Fête.

Alde & Ore Community Partnership meeting at Snape Village Hall.