The Otter Valley Association
Our Vision for the Otter Valley Association is to celebrate and safeguard the Otter Valley as a truly wonderful part of the world, ensuring it remains a source of joy and inspiration for both locals and visitors alike. We strive to be recognised as a proactive champion for this extraordinary area, fostering change that enhances its beauty and vitality, respecting the past whilst encouraging appropriate progress.
We are dedicated to promoting ecology, nature conservation, and the wellbeing and health of our community. Guided by the rich heritage of this region, we advocate for appropriate and sustainable development that addresses the modern needs of society with necessary infrastructure - including water, sewage, healthcare, education, transportation, and vibrant community spaces.
The Otter Valley Association is committed to helping nature and people in the region adapt to, and live successfully with, the pathway of climate change. We want to work with the local community to adopt healthier practices, reduce harmful habits such as pesticide and plastic use, and champion sustainable choices like peat-free composts.
We aim to achieve clean water in our rivers and seafront, thriving biodiversity, and enjoyment for our communities. We will partner and collaborate with like-minded groups and communities. Together, we will inspire progress that honours the unique identity and future of the Otter Valley.
We are a civic society that was founded in 1979 to interest residents and visitors in the history, geography, natural history and architecture of this area of Devon. You can read a brief history written in 1996, by Charles Snow, of the founding of the OVA in 1979 here.
The OVA's area of benefit is the valley of the River Otter in East Devon and its environs southwards from the town of Ottery St Mary to the sea at Budleigh Salterton.
We organise talks, guided walks and other events, publish regular magazines and send email updates. We work with local councils and other environmental organisations. We also encourage high standards of planning and architecture.
We are registered with the Charity Commission, and our 'area of benefit' is the countryside of Budleigh Salterton, East Budleigh with Bicton, Otterton, Colaton Raleigh, Newton Poppleford and Harpford up to Ottery St Mary.
The Association maintains contact with the County, District and Parish Councils, as well as neighbouring associations with similar aims. It also works closely with the East Devon National Landscape (formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Partnership.
The talks programme covers a wide range of interests concerning the countryside, such as archaeology, architecture, wildlife and flowers, farming and forestry, as well as down-to-earth problems such as water supply and quality.
Walks are arranged each month and introduce members to the beauty of our countryside available to them through the many excellent footpaths.
You are particularly welcome to join the Association if you take a positive role in achieving its objectives, but we are also very glad to have members who can show their support only by subscription or donation.
Anyone who is interested in the Otter Valley may join, wherever they live.