Longham Lakes to host anniversary celebration with community activities

Longham Lakes will welcome the community later this month for a special open day marking the South West Lakes Trust’s 25th anniversary.

The event takes place on Saturday 20 September and will include activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, model plane flying, model boat sailing, bird watching walks and photography talks.

Community groups, conservation partners, clubs and Bournemouth Water will all be involved, offering visitors the chance to explore the lakes, discover local wildlife and learn how water resources are managed.

Bournemouth Water staff will share how Longham Lakes contributes to the local water supply and provide an update on upgrades at Alderney Water Treatment Works. They will also highlight environmental projects including measures to control invasive species.

Gemma Morgan, Environment Officer at Bournemouth Water, said it would be a chance to celebrate the work South West Lakes Trust has carried out and to talk with local people about the importance of protecting habitats. She said the day would also explain how the lakes play a vital role in providing drinking water for the area.

The Trust was founded in 2000 as an independent charity to care for reservoirs and surrounding landscapes across the region. Over 25 years it has grown to manage more than 50 lakes in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, becoming the South West’s largest conservation and recreation charity.

Jon Morley, South West Lakes Trust’s Area Manager for Bournemouth, said the open day would be the first since 2019 and would give supporters and the community the chance to join the anniversary celebrations. He said there would be family-friendly activities to try on the water, bookable on the day, as well as opportunities to meet groups that use the lakes and learn more about the charity’s work.

More details about the anniversary events can be found at swlakestrust.org.uk.