RDA Journal Update
Journal articles are usually published around 5pm on the day. Here are the most recent:
- 27 June 25 – Nancy Blackett goes VI Sailing
- 11 July 25 – The Making of a Mizzen Mast
- 12 September 25 – Damselflies Ballerinas of the Riverbank
The published articles can be found here.
Where next for Nirvana of Arklow?
By Julia Jones, Jamie Clay, Carolyn Gibbins, Samantha Simpson, Russell Read, Hugh Browton, Nancy Clay
Julia Jones – tribute to a soon-to-be centenarian
Nirvana – (courtesy Gill Moon)
The loveliest boat on the Deben – or one of the prettiest yachts ever built anywhere? Nirvana will reach her 100th birthday next year but needs a new home and owner. When I used her as the model for Snow Goose in my ‘Strong Winds’ series of adventure stories, her fictional owner described her as having been designed ‘by the hand of God’. In fact, her lines were drawn in 1915 by the artist Albert Strange (1855-1917). Strange sailed from the Humber, so was comfortable with the idea of mud flats and shallow waters, but Nirvana herself was built in Ireland and cruised extensively on the west coasts of both Ireland and Scotland. Then, for many years she was based in Holyhead, Wales. In her most recent ownership (from 1989) she has also made extensive trips to Scandinavian waters with owners Peter and Nancy Clay and their friends. It’s here, in Suffolk, however, that so many of us, who have never sailed Nirvana, have come to love her and have felt our spirits lift when we have seen her beating easily down river or lying serenely on her mooring.
Since Peter died in 2023, Nirvana has been carefully laid up, looking for a new owner to bring her back to life and activity. Now, on the eve of her 100th year, some of her East Coast friends have produced this tribute.
Continue readingBest Wishes to Deben sailor Pip Hare as she tackles her second Vendee Globe race
By Julia Jones and Nick Cottam
The Vendée Globe is a single-handed, non-stop, non-assisted round-the-world sailing race that takes place every four years. It is contested on IMOCA monohulls, which are 18 metres long. The skippers set off from Les Sables-d’Olonne in Vendée and sail around 45,000 kilometres around the globe, rounding the three legendary capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and finally Cape Horn) before returning to Les Sables d’Olonne. The race has acquired an international reputation, attracting skippers from all over the world. Beyond the competition, it is above all an incredible human adventure.
Continue readingLord Deben – Patron of the River Deben Association
The River Deben Association (RDA) is delighted to announce that Lord Deben to become its patron from October 2024, supporting the association in its efforts to understand and protect the River Deben and conserve it for all users.
The RDA invited Lord Deben to support the association as patron following a very successful talk last autumn titled ‘Net Zero – where are we now?’ on climate change and why it matters, and we are honoured that he has accepted the invitation. Many of our more than 900 members attended Lord Deben’s thought-provoking talk and for those who missed it a report is available on the RDA website.
Continue readingArtist and printmaker Angela Harding finds inspiration on the Deben
By Catherine Larner
The intricate, stylised linocut designs of wildlife, rivers and landscapes created by the artist and printmaker Angela Harding are instantly recognisable.
First used widely in greetings cards and magazine illustrations, the images have also featured as distinctive book covers. There was the iconic image for ‘The Salt Path’ by Raynor Winn, the series of PD James crime novels and recently the cover for ‘Blossomise, the new book by poet laureate Simon Armitage, and the illustrated version of ‘Wilding’ by Isabella Tree.
Continue readingRiver Deben Association Autumn Talk – Confessions of a Serial Litter Picker
River Deben Association Autumn Talk
Confessions of a Serial Litter Picker
How litter and plastic impacts our environment
Master litter picker Jason Alexander explains
Tuesday November 5th, Quay Church, Woodbridge IP12 1BX
(doors open at 7 pm, talk at 7.30)
A Walk from Shottisham to Ramsholt (and Back)
by Sue Ryder Richardson
Like the River Deben itself, this walk is one of two parts: from dry pastoral uplands to the salty, tidal marshes and mudflats. Start in the tiny village of Shottisham, a place where time has stood still; a cluster of cottages nestle around the picturesque Sorrel Horse pub, a path leads up to St Margaret’s church, and a playground. There is a white weatherboarded watermill set Constable-like amongst trees, and all this is surrounded by cornfields and pastures. The village captures the essence of Ronald Blythe, as it settles in a landscape that recalls the horse-drawn plough of George Ewart Evans.
Continue readingDeben Forum Report July 2024
by Colin Nicholson
24 organisations from across the Deben Estuary were represented with 27 attendees discussing issues and suggesting solutions. On this occasion speed was seen as a major focus. 
Following a Covid-related hiatus, The Deben Forum was again convened by the River Deben Association (RDA). The Deben Forum took place at The Quay Church, Woodbridge with costs borne by the RDA membership. With the Deben Forum falling within the busy holiday period, it is hoped that even more organisations can be present next time.
The Deben Forum acts as a useful body to get all the Estuary’s Fairways Committees (amongst other organisations) together in one place to coordinate policy, share experience, increase awareness of other parts of river and share best practice. An example would be the co-ordination of views on speed limits and an agreement on a buoy scheme to promote low wash which was achieved in just 20 mins at the Deben Forum after months of inactivity.
Colin and Matt
Led by Colin Nicholson (RDA Co-Chair) and Matt Lis (RDA Business Interests) representatives introduced themselves, their organisation and items of interest/seen as issues leading to a ranking for the subjects of most interest. Ben Grundy, Chair of the Kyson Fairways Committee and RDA Committee member would also have led discussions but work commitments forced his absence.
Continue reading’Zines in the ’Teens, Part I
by Bertie Wheen
This is one of a series of articles, the previous of which are:
These are encouragements to go to our magazine page and have a look through our back catalogue. It might not seem like an interesting thing to do, but if you do, and live on (or otherwise have a relationship with) the Deben, I can quite confidently tell you that you will find interest there.
Continue reading