THE River Tamar was celebrated at a special festival recently, held at Cotehele Quay.

People who live, work and have a close connection to the river were invited to share their efforts at the first ever Tamar River Festival, which also showcased projects to protect the river for future generations. Also on show was an array of local produce, artists and community groups based along the 60-mile stretch of water.

There was a fantastic turnout at the festival where visitors could find out about becoming a river scientist, take part in craft workshops and listen to stories and talks on the Tamar’s history, present and future. The festival aimed to capture the spirit of the Tamar and encourage people to support and protect the waterway for generations to come.

Hazel Kendall, senior project officer for the Tamar Partnership, which organised the event, said: ‘The waters of the River Tamar flow through all our lives. Whether you wander the river bank with your dog, wash your car or cross the bridge on your daily commute, you are making use of the river. The river is an invaluable infrastructure, not only for local residents but for local businesses, including some of the biggest employers in the region.

‘We had a fantastic time at the festival and would like to thank all of our partners for contributing to the day and making it such a success.’

The festival was part of the the Make Your TaMARK campaign, which was spearheaded by the Tamar Partnership, a collective of organisations and individuals in Cornwall and Devon which have come together to protect and improve water quality and wildlife in the river and hosted by the Westcountry Rivers Trust.