New trustees for the charity behind Cornwall’s lakes

If you have ever walked, fished or just sat and watched the clouds cross the water at one of the lakes and reservoirs scattered across Cornwall and the wider South West, chances are you were on ground looked after by a single charity. That charity has just welcomed some new faces to the board that steers its work.

Two new trustees, and a first for the board

Corinne Farrell and Carolyn Cadman attended their first official board meeting as trustees of South West Lakes Trust at Roadford Lake in July. They were joined by Nathan Strathdee, a PhD student who has become the first person to take part in the charity’s new Future Trustee Development Programme.

The Trust is the region’s largest combined environmental and recreational charity. It looks after 50 inland water sites, covering 5,000 hectares of land and water across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and West Somerset, and draws somewhere in the region of two million visits a year. Its reservoirs and lakes hold important habitats and historic sites, and the charity works to keep them open to people of all abilities, both on and off the water.

John Lee OBE DL, chair of the Trust’s board of trustees, said the charity welcomes millions of visitors and protects landscapes and wildlife for future generations.

“Having gone through a comprehensive recruitment process we were delighted with the number of people who expressed an interest in the work of the Trust and seeking appointment as trustees,” he said.

“We’re thrilled that they recognise the outstanding work that the Trust does in environmental management and providing an opportunity for people to enjoy our waters through recreation, with all the advantages that brings to good health.”

Corinne Farrell

Corinne Farrell recently took early retirement after a career in corporate communications. The green and blue spaces the Trust manages have been part of her life since she moved to Devon in 1997, and Burrator is especially close to her heart.

“Becoming a trustee with the charity gives me an opportunity to play a part in conserving and managing these spaces for future generations to enjoy, at a time when the natural world is under greater pressure than ever before,” Corinne said.

Carolyn Cadman

Carolyn Cadman is Chief Sustainability and Natural Resources Officer at South West Water. Under the charity’s governing document, the water company nominates one trustee as its landlord and a key partner in enabling the Trust’s environmental work.

“I’m delighted to be selected as South West Water’s nominated trustee for the South West Lakes Trust,” Carolyn said. “Their work to support nature recovery, as well as providing opportunities for locals and visitors to enjoy lakes across the region, is inspirational and I feel privileged to be a part of it.”

Nathan Strathdee and the under-30 gap

Nathan Strathdee is a PhD researcher in river restoration and water quality at the University of Exeter. He has been appointed to the Future Trustee Development Programme, which lets aspiring trustees experience the work of the board and learn about governance through training and mentoring, with a view to joining as a full trustee in 12 months’ time.

“South West Lakes Trust’s mission of healthy lakes, landscapes and lives is one that is massively important to me as an environmental researcher who is always looking for ways to connect my work to real-world change,” Nathan said. “So I am excited to be shadowing the Trust’s board on the Future Trustee Development Programme.”

He also pointed to how rarely people his age sit on charity boards. “With just 1% of UK charity trustees being under the age of 30, I hope to eventually contribute a unique perspective and encourage others of my age to get involved in organisations meaningful to them.”

📷Credit: Linda Martin