South West Lakes Trust (SWLT), the region’s largest combined environmental and recreational charity based in Launceston, is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2010 and now has a further cause to celebrate having been granted the Queen's Award for Industry in the category of Sustainable Development.
 
Part of the Queen’s Award citation reads: “South West Lakes Trust receives the Award on the basis of its continued success in sustainably integrating leisure and conservation initiatives across the range of sites it manages. In addition to its commendable operational performance, the organisation has impressed with its strong governance demonstrating that sustainability is indeed central to its activity.”
 
Founded in 2000, SWLT manages lakes and reservoirs owned by South West Water and receives a management fee for its work. It also receives a range of grant funding bringing an average annual turnover to around £3 million.
 
The figures are truly impressive. With just 64 full time equivalent employees (which rises to over 100 in the summer season) the award winning charity manages 5000 hectares of land and water including 50 inland waters, 3 nature reserves, 4 ancient woodlands 3 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 38 coarse and game fisheries and 5 outdoor and activity centre.
 
During 2009 alone, the Trust saw 79,682 days of activity and sports participation with its small army of volunteers providing nearly 3000 days of their own time on a variety of tasks. A new angling and watersports centre opened at Upper Tamar, there were improvements for disabled anglers and new cycle ways, rope courses, climbing walls and archery facilities were developed.
 
Awards include four Green Tourism Business Awards, Forest Stewardship Council Accreditation, Investors in People and an “Age Positive” Award.
 
Sean Grinsted, a partner at chartered accountants Francis Clark and an expert in charity finance issues said: “It has been 10 years of real success for the Trust. They are successfully managing water and land assets for South West Water that are not part of  the utility business’ core functions but they are doing so in exceptionally positive ways in terms of community engagement, sustainable development and environmental enhancement with a strong emphasis on leisure and tourism.
 
”The access they have opened to a vast range of countryside treasures and the accompanying amenities they have provided have also brought pleasure to millions and will continue to do so.”
 
In April SWLT took over the established tourist attraction, St Austell China Clay Museum Ltd, also known as Wheal Martyn. 
 
Diane Bassett Head of Corporate Services at the Trust said: “This acquisition provided Wheal Martyn with the stability and support of a larger successful charity which shares its commitment to heritage and community education and access while providing South West Lakes Trust with an opportunity to expand its portfolio in the area.”
 
SWLT is unique in what it provides and has built a series of positive relationships with landowners, the communities in which it operates, and the tourism and leisure market all underpinned by environmental responsibility and sustainable development. 
 
It’s a real South West success story and it’s no surprise that its achievements have been recognised by their very prestigious Queen’s Award.