Peter Bartlett MBE Patron of South West Lakes Trust and Andy Beadsley Director of the Wheelyboat Trust launched the new Wheelyboat. The new Wheelyboat will allow better access to the water for disabled and less-able visitors and was funded in partnership with the Environment Agency and the Wheelyboat Trust. James Maben Project Manager of Countryside Mobility South West also thanked the funders for their support.

The recently completed new cycleway named the ‘Tamar Tootle' was funded by the Rural Development Programme for England and has been a great success giving locals and tourists the opportunity to cycle around the lake. Students of Bradworthy Primary Academy discovered the new path and local walking group Holsworthy Walk and Talk had an hour-long walk. The Cycleway has been funded through the 1SW project (RDPE) which is looking at developing the entire South West as a mountain biking destination through the creation of cycling hubs. These hubs will host a variety of trails of different grading to enable cyclists to build up to a more advanced level in a safe environment, the best example of this can be seen at Haldon Hill, near Exeter.
Paul Hawkins Project Manager of 1 South West said ‘People's quality of life is improved by the sense of well being they get out of enjoying the countryside and being able to ‘get away from it all' - Today provides a chance to witness at first hand the Trust's important work to make these opportunities available.'

Peter Bartlett MBE Patron of South West Lakes Trust said ‘I take enormous pleasure in seeing environmental and recreational initiatives made possible by valuable donations from individuals and organisations. Our success has, in large part, been due to partnership working, whether it be with South West Water, the Environment Agency, Westcountry Rivers Trust, Wheelyboat Trust or the Forestry Commission and the European Rural Development Fund who through vision and financial assistance have made it possible for this wonderful new cycle path to be constructed.'

The aim of the RDPE funded Outdoor + Active Project is to create new activities for everybody. The Outdoor + Active project is being funded through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and a total of £2.5m will be invested by the South West Lakes Trust in its sites across the three counties.