Deben Climate Centre

04/09/2026

Great news!

🌟Portal Woodlands 🌟
We are pleased to confirm that Martlesham Parish Council has secured the 11.37 acres of land known as Portal Woodlands for the continued and future benefit of the community.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported and pledged towards this work.

04/09/2026

Interested in community energy and how it can make a difference locally?

To support the East Suffolk Community Energy Programme, the Centre for Sustainable Energy is hosting an introductory webinar on 16 September, from 1pm to 2pm via Zoom.

The session will explore what community energy is, how community-led renewable energy projects work in practice, and what groups need to consider when getting started, including governance, funding, skills and local partnerships. Attendees will also hear examples of successful projects, from community solar schemes to energy advice and home retrofit support.

Find out more and register via the link in the comments.

04/09/2026

🚨 Tidal Deben Pollution Incident Opposite Ramsholt 🚨

Our volunteers spotted a probable pollution incident in July just upstream of and opposite the Ramsholt Arms on the Deben estuary and have now investigated again this week. Their sampling at the Anglian Water Kirton STW revealed very high E.coli levels - around 140,000 CFU's per 100ml - with lower but very significant bacterial pollution in the estuary itself near where the Kirton ditch emerges into the river. This was at least 9,600 CFU's per 100ml - more than 10 times the "safe bathing" guideline. (see photo attached)

The source of the pollution appears to be coming from a small pumping cabin which discharges straight into the estuary. It is difficult to be certain as the area is on private land.

Anglian Water and the Environment Agency have been advised and asked to investigate, given the proximity to Waldringfield and Ramsholt, both frequented by many water users.

Our advice is to avoid this section of the river especially close to the shoreline, at low water or on a falling tide.

01/09/2026

Would you like to learn more about community renewable energy? Do you ideas you'd like to share about how it could be implemented locally? If you live in the Deben area you're invited to join an upcoming workshop!

When and Where?
September 29th, 6:00-8:30pm
The Art Haven, 15 Tide Mill Way, IP12 1BY

What is the workshop?
Join us for free buffet food and a friendly conversation about community renewable energy and how they could benefit the community.
No prior knowledge is needed, everything will be explained step by step in a clear way.

What we'll do together
☀️Learn about what community renewable energy is.
🔋Discussion potential opportunities that could be explored in the local area
💡Start to think about how the local community could benefit from potential projects

Find out more and book your free place by visiting:
https://DebenCRE.eventbrite.co.uk
Places are limited!

This workshop is hosted in partnership with East Suffolk Council, Centre For Sustainable Energy, Ashden, Community Energy England, and Transition Woodbridge

31/08/2026

We had a brilliant time at the Woodbridge Festival of Art and Music this weekend! Thank you to everyone who came to say hello, chat about local climate action, and even have a go at Climate Jenga - we had some of the highest scores we've ever seen!

29/08/2026

We conducted our first mid-month sampling and testing at selected hotspots and sites of interest across the Deben catchment last week. This is part of our move to conduct fortnightly testing at around 20 of the 70 monthly sampling locations.

💧Tidal Section
We sampled at Waldringfield, Kyson Point, Deben Yacht Club and close to Ferry Quay finding almost no E.coli at Waldringfield but quite significant levels at the Woodbridge sites. All three were above the 'safe bathing limit' so unsafe for swimming even at high tide. Phosphates gave a similar picture, with water users reporting significant algal and w**d growth in the area.

💧River Fynn at Tuddenham/Playford
Our sampling here has clearly identified an STW outfall pipe with very high levels of E.coli and continued elevated levels downstream. The Tuddenham results are concerning given that planning applications for new housing developments are being proposed nearby and the sewage works is relatively close to capacity.

💧Ufford
We sampled at Ufford Hole and recorded very low levels of both E.coli and phosphates. This is encouraging given the low flow and water levels after the weir breach. There were similar results at the Rendlesham, in line with or lower than recent trends for that site.

💧Wickham Market to Crettingham
Continuing the trend of the last few months Charsfield remains an E.coli hotspot, but encouragingly, phosphate levels have dropped back considerably and are now back well within the EA permit limit.

The Wickham A12 sample was also high in line with previous experience. Of greater concern is the Brandeston Bridge result as this site in usually close to or within the "safe" guideline, however in this sampling we found it to be much higher, suggesting serious local pollution to be further investigated.

💧Debenham
Just below the STW outfall, E.coli levels were somewhat lower but phosphates rather higher than earlier in the month, however the latter was still well within the Debenham STW EA permit level.

Read the full report on our website: https://buff.ly/Q1fX2Gm

21/08/2026

We are trialling a go-faster e.Coli testing machine over this weekend.

Samples will be taken at breakfast time Fri,Sat & Sun, from Waldringfield (beach and midstream) , Kyson Point, Honolulu and Ufford hole. We will publish results as soon as we see them, hopefully starting at lunchtime. The hope is to give more up to date info to all water users.

21/08/2026

I know we keep telling them so, but that’s not the point: isn’t it amazing what can be done, when we put our minds to it.


Rewilded land remains green amid drought-stricken English countryside, images show

National Trust’s Holnicote estate says restored wetlands and rivers offer proof of resilience to drought, wildfires and flooding

20/08/2026

Woodbridge CSO Spill straight after thunderstorm

After the dry spell ended earlier in the week, last night saw a thunderstorm across Woodbridge and Melton area - it lasted around 45 minutes and a local rain gauge reported only 8mm of rainfall. Hardly a major storm!

Nonetheless it was enough to trigger two Anglian Water Combined Storm Overflow (CSO) spills in Woodbridge as shown on the map; in fact all three CSO's released - the longest lasting 57 minutes.

Swimmers, kayakers, sailors and other water users should take extra care and our advice is to avoid going in the Deben for at least 24 hours. This again shows the relative lack of robustness of our waste water infrastructure.