THE ALDE & ORE
ASSOCIATION
PRESS RELEASE : ’53 FLOOD EXHIBITION – Flood Awareness Weekend
There is a real buzz surrounding The Exhibition sponsored by the Alde and Ore Association to mark the 60th Anniversary of the ’53 Flood in the Alde and Ore Estuary. As many of you remember, late on the night of 31st January 1953 the river walls in the estuary breached in numerous places and many homes and several thousand acres were inundated with salt water not to mention the devastation up and down the East Anglian coast.
The Exhibition will be showing a range of RAF photographs taken by Bomber Command shortly after the disaster struck along with many private local photographs. There is also a map and a fascinating diary written at the time by Philip John Trist, the local Ministry of Agriculture’s Engineer, covering the Suffolk coast. The exhibition will also cover how a surge tide happens and how we can prepare for any future emergency.
We are delighted that Angie Mason, an experienced documentary film maker, is producing a film of local memories which includes unique unseen 60 year old cine footage taken locally in Orford. Filming started at the end of November at a very well attended meeting in the Jolly Sailor, in Orford, when around 30 residents from around the estuary discussed their memories of living through those very difficult times. Everyone remembered the shock of the flooding, how little warning there was, the cold and the awful smell in the days to come. Who knows, there may be someone you know in our film and there will be lots to see in Orford, Aldeburgh and Snape so don’t miss it!
60th Anniversary Programme of Events
Exhibitions Films Readings
Friday 1st FebruaryOrford Town Hall6p.m.
Launch of Flood Awareness Weekend. Press,contributorsand
Alde and Ore Association Members. Invitation only.
Saturday 2nd FebruaryExhibitions open 11a.m.-4p.m. Orford Town Hall, Aldeburgh Cinema
and Peter Pears Gallery
Aldeburgh Cinema 3p.m. Premiere of local film!
Archive film and Angie Mason’s new film
Presentation of Emergency Plan for Aldeburgh
FREE Admission Everyone welcome
Sunday 3rd February Orford and Aldeburgh Exhibitions open 11a.m.-4p.m.
Snape Maltings10.30a.m. Reading by Blake Morrison from John Trist’s Diary
Tickets from Aldeburgh Music
Monday 4th February Orford and Aldeburgh Exhibitions 11a.m.-4p.m. open for public & schools visits.
FREE admission.
Orford Town Hall 6p.m.Films:Archive filmandAngie Mason’s new film. Presentation of Emergency Plan for Orford. FREE admission. Everyone welcome
Tuesday 5th February Exhibitions openfor public & schools visits 11a.m.-4p.m. FREE admission.
Schools to book a session: email