They’ve been great partners for 25 years, and when it comes to The Hills Group and Cotswold Lakes Trust, it doesn’t seem a day too long.
The partnership has helped protect Kingfishers, Otters, Water Voles and many more species in the Cotswold Water Park. And by working together on everything from reed beds to fossil hunts and footpaths, they have helped to create one of the most stunning wetland landscapes in the UK.
Now The Hills Group and Cotswold Lakes Trust are celebrating their partnership and a commitment to build on their achievements in the Cotswold Water Park, restoring and creating an exceptional leisure amenity and haven for wildlife.
Group Director of Hills Quarry Products, Peter Andrew wouldn’t have it any other way.
“The Hills Group has been operating in the Cotswold Water Park for more than 100 years and has created many of the lakes and wonderful habitats you see today. We are proud to support Cotswold Lakes Trust and all they do for wildlife and the environment. They’re a great charity and we work extremely well together,” he said.
The Cotswold Water Park is a network of more than 180 lakes across 42 square miles which emerged from decades of intensive gravel extraction and restoration. It is now a unique wetland landscape.
The lakes are home to an amazing variety of wildlife and a host of leisure activities for its 20,000 residents and one million annual visitors. In 2021, it was recognised nationally as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Cotswold Lakes Trust’s Executive Chairman Paul Hazel praised Hills for the pivotal role the company has played in creating the Cotswold Water Park since its first gravel pit was dug a century ago.
“Their long-term commitment to restoration has played a fundamental role in creating this fantastic leisure area and a haven for wildlife,” he said.
“Their generosity in providing more than £1.3m through the Landfill Communities Fund has enabled the Trust to help preserve the amazing biodiversity of habitats and species in the Cotswold Water Park and to carry out projects ranging from the creation of nature reserves to improving public access and managing country parks.”
Based in Down Ampney, Cotswold Lakes Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees (all volunteers) who oversee the work of a team of seven staff, assisted by loyal volunteers. It receives no core funding from central or local government and relies heavily on donations.
For more information on The Hills Group and Cotswold Lakes Trust partnership see
https://cotswoldlakestrust.org/resources-documents/
