The Deben 46 Spring 2013
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The Deben 46 Spring 2013 The River Deben Association Officers and Committee November 2012 Chairman Leigh Belcham Byelaws and enforcement 45A Western Avenue, Felixstowe, IP11 9SL. 01394 285674 [email protected] Vice Chairman Robert Simper History Plum Tree Hall, Ramsholt, Woodbridge IP12 3AD. 01394 411273 [email protected] Treasurer Peter Thubron 17 Turner Gardens, Martlesham, Woodbridge, IP12 4JD. 01394 387343 [email protected] Secretary Wendy Brown 4 June Avenue, Ipswich. IP1 4LT. 01473 259674 [email protected] Magazine David Bucknell Editor 6 Ferry Road, Bawdsey Quay, Woodbridge, IP12 3AX. 0780 3612 059 [email protected] Website Annie Leech Administrator 75 Seckford Street, Woodbridge. IP12 4LZ. 01394 386262 [email protected] Peter Clay Maritime Woodbridge 83 Ipswich Road, Woodbridge IP12 4BT. 01394 384374 [email protected] Adrian Judge Representative DEP Access Group, Wildfowlers 29 Bredfield Street, Woodbridge IP12 4NH. 01394 383350 [email protected] Anne Moore Footpaths, DEP Access Group, Woodbridge 2 Grundisburgh Road, Woodbridge IP12 4HG. 01394 383559 [email protected] Simon Read Representative DEP. Projects - Saltmarsh Recovery. Environment Barge Jacoba, Lime Kiln Quay, Woodbridge. IP12 1BD 01394 384060 [email protected] James Skellorn Saltmarsh Survey 22 Ashmere Grove, Ipswich, IP4 2RE 07771 733049 [email protected] Robin Whittle 67 The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge IP12 1AH 01394 382930 [email protected] Neil Winship Waldringfield Sandcliff, School Road, Waldringfield, Woodbridge IP12 4QR. 01473 736423 [email protected] The Deben Spring 2013 i. RDA Officers and Committee 1. Contents 2. Editorial - ‘Principle 6: Accountability’ 3. Chairman’s Report 4. Robin Whittle 7. News From the Hards - Anne Moore, Neil Winship, Bee Farrell, David Bucknell. 11. Saltmarshes - Features, Importance and Conservation. - Robert Hughes 15. Cornish Shrimpers on the Deben - Robin Whittle 18. Fond Memories of Deben Week - Annee Garrett 19. Sir Cuthbert’s Fight with the Sea - David Bucknell 23. ‘Artists and Writers’ - ‘Art by Stealth’- Simon Read 26. ‘Boats of the Deben’ - ‘Potamus’ - Sandra Goddard - David Bucknell. 28. From the Archives ‘My First committee Meeting’ - Michael Atkins 30. Correspondence 33. RAF Bentwaters - Simon Read 34. Notice of AGM. Cover: The River Deben - Simon Read 1 Recently, however, I have been engaged in discussions with the National Trust about a fence which I feel is a scar on the landscape, EDITORIAL (nowhere near the Deben.) As part of the helpful discourse I am having with representatives of the Trust I came across the Trust’s Conservation Policy and in particular Principle 6: Accountability which Principle 6: accountability states: Recently, a founding member of the RDA ‘ said I think the sentiment of enjoying the moment is admirable especially as one sits in the hospital waiting room eyeing the other candidates and assessing ones relative shape as a pensioner. I am certainly going to leave the building of flood defences round my house, should any be necessary, to my children. However, I still feel a need to counter any proclivity towards apathy and strive to be active and involved. Given the complexity and power of contemporary bureaucracy it is hard to keep up the energy. Witness This could become the mantra for the RDA. those who campaigned on behalf of NANT The RDA has a role to play in helping people and the energy and determination they understand, question and debate the gave to the cause. Many are probably assumptions which lie behind the policies battle weary and not ready for another and proposals made by agencies on behalf campaign. The emphasis on public of The Deben, whether it is SCDC, Suffolk relations, the obfuscating language and the Coasts and Heaths, the DEP or the often ‘fluffy’ answers that are provided in Environment Agency. We need to response to queries is off-putting and leaves encourage alternative perspectives and one with a sense of powerlessness. debate. We need to ensure that decisions are based on reliable information and research and that the logic behind 2 recommendations and decisions is sound. This will help to ensure that policies are tested, robust and the best possible conclusions are reached. So even if some things are left to the grandchildren this a viable purpose for the RDA. If we can achieve progress in these areas it will hopefully energise us and counter any apathy or disillusionment we may be inclined to feel. I hope you will have noticed that this is the first colour edition of the Deben. If you haven’t, it is worrying. Modern technology means we can do this without a massive hike in the price. Without colour we could not do justice to Robert Hughes’ article on Cover : ‘The Deben’ by Simon Read the saltmarsh which, while it explores the Viewed close up, Simons’s painting of the issues associated with erosion, encourages Deben includes topographical features with us to look closely and see the natural handwritten notes referring to current richness of saltmarsh. Cornish Shrimpers issues and debates relating to particular on the Deben provides a glimpse of the areas of the river. (See Page 23) spirit of adventure of our Chairman ‘elect’. Sir Cuthbert Quilter was another big personality and I have written about his sea defences off Bawdsey. After much trying I have managed to track down Simon Read the artist as opposed to the ‘saltmarsh specialist’. ‘Africa’ comes to us in the shape of our Boat of the Deben ‘Potamus’. We have memories of Deben Week and Mike Atkins’ wonderful account of his first RDA Committee Meeting as well CHAIRMAN’S REPORT as some informative letters including one about the Bawdsey Ferry. When I took the Chairman’s reins from Ed Stanford three years ago, I had a number Lastly, a big thank you to Leigh who of specific objectives for the association. throughout his tenure has stayed focused Now, as I prepare to pass them to a new and worked hard in developing the RDA Chairman, you would be quite justified in into a contemporary organisation equipped asking whether those objectives have been to represent those who love and use the met. Deben. He has the unique distinction of being the first Chairperson to find a The short answer is that, in most respects, successor before his retirement date. Well they have been. But I must emphasise that done Leigh! this is only because of your hard-working COMMITTEE, and some rather long – and lively - committee meetings. I want to pay 3 tribute to these committed people, who not only love the Deben but have been prepared The only disappointment has been our to contribute time and effort to protecting it failure over the issue of SPEEDING. for others to enjoy. Convinced that effective enforcement is the only way to resolve the problem, we worked Some objectives involved improving closely with the police Safer Neighbourhood COMMUNICATION with our members. We Team on a project, based on a successful now have an attractive and easy-to-navigate operation in Essex and Kent, which would website, that serves not only to keep our have put a police officer afloat on a PWC. members up-to-date with developments that But, understandably, the police would only affect their use of the river, but also as an have proceeded with the clear support of online brochure for enquirers, as well as a the river community, which was not source of information and guidance to river forthcoming. With no other viable solution users in general. Doubtless, it will soon offer on the table, the issue was shelved. a Facebook link and other social media However, interest has recently been re- facilities. And I mustn’t forget that we are kindled by reports of success elsewhere, but now able to communicate with at least half there’s nothing further to tell you at the of our members by email. moment. Our present MEMBERSHIP of 920 is, I Our work alongside, and as part of, the think, the highest in our history. More than DEBEN ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP has that, it is my perception that the average age intensified of late, as the ESTUARY of our membership has dropped in recent MANAGEMENT PLAN is finalised and years. The RDA’s CONSTITUTION has prepared for publication, probably in the been revised, too, reflecting more accurately autumn. As RDA Chairman, I sit on the DEP our purpose and work Steering Group, where my brief is to represent the views and interests of river Some very appreciative comments have users. The results of our own survey of river been received from members about “THE users last year were fed into the Plan, which DEBEN”, our twice-yearly magazine, into the DEP is working to have adopted by which David Bucknell has put so much hard Suffolk Coastal DC as an “estuarine plan” work. He never ceases to amaze us, even under Strategic Policy SP30, “The Coastal those who thought they knew the river well, Zone”. It would then become one of the with information and stories about Deben many policy documents that have to be boats and Deben people of times gone by. taken into account when planning applications are considered. The RDA FORUM has been particularly well received. Representatives of all Deben-based On the matter of PLANNING, many of you organisations – sailing clubs, fairway expressed concern during our 2012 Autumn committees, wildlife interests, boatyards, Open Meeting over the impact on the river youth groups, etc – are invited each of several proposed HOUSING November to tell us of developments or DEVELOPMENTS. I am delighted to say concerns within their own organisations, and that Veronica Falconer, an RDA member and are in turn briefed about the work of national former Chair of Suffolk Coastal DC, has since and local bodies, both statutory and been co-opted to our committee.