Charity marks 25 years of caring for waterways

South West Lakes Trust James Platts standing in front of a lake. Mr Platts is wearing a SW lakes branded fleece. He is standing in front of the water. Several kayaks are on the ground behind him. South West Lakes Trust
Mr Platts has been with the charity since it was founded in 2000

A charity that cares lakes and reservoirs in the South West is marking its 25th anniversary.

South West Lakes Trust is hosting a number of events between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 to celebrate the milestone.

The charity said it was the region's largest combined environmental and recreational charity, which helped enhance reservoirs on behalf of South West Water for conservation and recreation purposes.

Chairman John Lee said: "Twenty-five years of dedication, action, and impact in our mission to protect the environment and promote active, healthy communities is a great achievement."

'We take great pride'

Chief executive James Platts pledged to complete 25 different activities before the end of November 2025.

"As a charity, South West Lakes Trust has changed and grown over the last 25 years, but our core purpose of protecting these special places for people and wildlife has remained unchanged," he said.

"Every year we welcome around two million visitors to the 50 inland waters in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset in our care.

"We take great pride in protecting and enhancing these beautiful countryside locations so that they can be enjoyed by everyone, not just today, but by future generations as well."

The charity said a celebratory meal, public open days and its annual photographic competition would be held to mark the anniversary.

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