20 Years of the RIVER DEBEN ASSOCIATION Spring 2010 NEWSLETTER No: 40 RIVER DEBEN ASSOCIATION OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE March 2010 Chairman Ed Stanford, 21 Ipswich Road, Woodbridge IP12 4BS 01394 386362 [email protected] Vice Chairman Robert Simper, Plum Tree Hall, Ramsholt, Woodbridge IP12 3AD and History 01394 411273 [email protected] Treasurer Chris Brown, 4 June Avenue, Ipswich. IP1 4LT 01473 259674 [email protected] Secretary Wendy Brown, 4 June Avenue, Ipswich. IP1 4LT 01473 259674 [email protected] Newsletter David Bucknell, 6 Ferry Road, Bawdsey Quay, Woodbridge, IP12 3AX Editor 07803 612 059 [email protected] Felixstowe Leigh Belcham 45A Western Avenue, Felixstowe, IP11 9SL Ferry 01394 285674 [email protected] Rowing Paul Lacey, 4 The Granary, Tidemill Way, Woodbridge IP12 1BY 01394 386481 [email protected] Wildfowlers Adrian Judge, 29 Bredfield Street, Woodbridge IP12 4NH 01394 383350 [email protected] Denzil Cowdry, The Mews House, 105 New Street, Woodbridge. IP12 1DZ 01394 383625 [email protected] Simon Read, Barge Jacoba, Robertson’s Boat Yard, Lime Kiln Quay, Woodbridge IP12 1BD 01394 384060 [email protected] Anne Moore, 2 Grundisburgh Road, Woodbridge IP12 4HG 01394 383559 Neil Winship, Sandcliff, School Road, Waldringfield, Woodbridge IP12 4QR 01473 736423 [email protected] Peter Clay, (Associate member) 83 Ipswich Road, Woodbridge IP 01394384374 [email protected] EDITORIAL to realise that there are natural For many years the processes that we do not fully Newsletter dropped understand and cannot control. Some through my door. I of the cycles we are dealing with read it, enjoyed it occur over a hundred or more years. and thought We tend to look at issues in the ‘There are some present without the historical context - good people protecting the interests a ‘pinprick’ in time. of the River Deben. I can leave it to them.’ Then I saw Ed’s appeal for an How we respond to the current threat Editor and thought now is the time to of global warming, coastal and river make a contribution - so here goes! bank erosion, pressures on the river resulting from new housing Anyone who has been involved with development in the area, is going to an association like the RDA will be very important. There will be appreciate what has been achieved infinite points of view and vested over the 20 years. The RDA has a interests and these will be the content large, subscription based, of the debate about the future of the membership, a Newsletter in its 40th River Deben. It will be important to edition and a website. The RDA has learn more about the issues and their been involved in many campaigns dynamics and to understand the and has lobbied effectively over the problems and difficulties faced by the years. This has mainly been the work agencies who represent us. At the of a small group of active committee same time we should hold them to members, and in particular past and account. We need a dialogue that present Chairman; some of whom progresses beyond jargon and have once again contributed to this buzzwords and moves from positional Newsletter. statements to a consensus. We need debate and discussion and the We are entering a period in which RDA can play an important role in this fresh challenges will mean that the process. role of the RDA is as important as it has been over the last 20 years. The Deben Estuary Partnership Since the war we have not had to face (DEP) has been set up to consider major external threats. The and act on some of these issues. It is catastrophe of the 1953 floods is in recognition of the RDA as a source etched on the memories of those who of knowledge and sound advice that it endured them. We have grown has two representatives on the DEP. accustomed to being in ‘control’ of However, in order to maintain this everything or at least the illusion of status the RDA needs to strive to control. However, we are beginning reflect the views of you the members, 1 who care about the river but do not have a statutory role. The RDA But an Editor without copy is’...up the Newsletter can be a vehicle for Deben without a paddle.’ So I hope reflecting your views together with you will not wait ten years, as I did, to debate and discussion. As Leigh become an active contributor. Belcham has said we hope to develop communication through email and the David Bucknell website with the aim of making the RDA more ‘interactive’ with the David Bucknell first sailed to the membership. Deben from Kent in 1994 when he was told by Ron ‘It isn’t all mud up In this edition of the Newsletter Ed there, there are some golden sandy and Leigh take us into the next period beaches.’ Since then he has spent of the RDA and Denzil Cowdry looks most of his time in the Airman’s back over his time as Chairman and Married Quarters at Bawdsey Quay gives us his thoughts on future enjoying the Deben. He was formally issues. Simon Read’s article a university lecturer and is involved in highlights some of the issues that the conservation of a harbour in underpin the debate around coastal Cornwall. He swims, sails walks, defence. Robert Simper provides a rows, kayaks and motors on the reference guide to the walls of the Deben and keeps it up throughout the Deben and their historical year (not the swimming – hopefully!) importance. John White’s piece about Ellen continues the series on Boats of the Deben and connects us with the craft skills and traditions of those who livelihoods depended on the river and whose knowledge is so relevant today. News from the Hard updates us on some recent developments and we have a light hearted look at litter picking in the Caribbean continuing the traditions of the RDA worldwide. As in previous Newsletters the contributions cover a range of topics, interests and styles. They help us to explore the many facets of the river and thus enrich our understanding and enjoyment of the River Deben. 2 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT wade through this bureaucratic You will see from treacle. I have concerns beyond the elsewhere in this river banks, in particular the newsletter that appearance of the riverside volunteers have especially the Woodbridge come forward to take riverside. One of the sights of over from me: Leigh Suffolk is that of Woodbridge Belsham as from Sutton Hoo. At the Chairman and David moment Whisstocks is a Bucknell as Editor of continuing eyesore and the the Newsletter. I am very grateful to Trustees of the Tide Mill are facing both of them and I am sure that the their own bureaucratic treacle. Fred RDA will be in good hands over the Reynolds of the Trustees tells me that next few years. Assuming that their even with the most favourable appointments are approved at the progress through the National Lottery AGM in April I shall formally resign as application process it is highly unlikely Chairman although I will still remain that any restoration work could begin on the Committee. You may feel that until June 2011. In the meantime the we have gone through a relatively Mill continues to deteriorate as quiet period, for instance there was evidenced by the water wheel coming no Maritime Woodbridge this year, but off its axle quite recently. a lot of work has been going on If you are interested in the preparing for the future. The Deben position go to the internet Estuary Partnership has held www.woodbridgetidemiII.org.uk. numerous committee and working The Tide Mill is part of the most party meetings and has had meetings attractive view of Woodbridge as I've with representatives from Suffolk said but there are other challenges. Coastal, the Environment Agency. Members may have seen the steel and Natural England. For better or work going up for the new rowing club worse (usually the latter) the task of premises. At the risk of annoying repairing the river walls has become some members i'll have to say that less simple than I thought. Any work the industrial type building being may require a Planning Consent. an erected may be just what the club Environmental Impact Assessment, requires but it cannot be said to Land Drainage Consent, or a Flood enhance the quality of the riverside. I Risk Assessment. All these take time understand that there has been and require forms to be filled in and discussion about the rebuilding of appropriate fees paid. In some cases Eversons. No doubt this is long external consultants may be required overdue since the existing buildings for an EIA or an FRA. We should all are neither waterproof nor draught be very grateful to the various proof; but it would be nice to learn that landowners for their willingness to any new building would enhance the riverside. 3 These sorts of issues will, I hope. DEP (but do things which they involve many members of the RDA cannot) and we have a sufficient more closely. One of Leigh Belsham's cushion of funds to enable us to plans is to record the e-mail undertake small studies or works. As addresses of as many members as I've said before (and will undoubtedly possible so that when planning issues say again!) the Sutton Shore Project arise we can canvass your views and shows what can be done with limited then submit a more broadly based funds and a strong commitment.