ONE of the most prestigious projects in Devon will welcome the Earl and Countess of Wessex on September 20 officially to open Lakeside at Roadford Lake. The £1.4-million project brings still more improvements to one of the visitor attractions, including a state-of-the-art visitor centre, IT suite, three function rooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 170 people, combined with quality catering to complement the lakeside location. During their visit the Earl and Countess will meet the project funders, the builders and members of the local community. They will be also entertained by the 30 pupils of Broadwoodwidger Primary School. There will be an education officer, Jo Simpson, based at the new visitor centre, which charts the history of local people and the landscape they created. The centre will bring the history of the Wolf Valley to life for visitors and the local community and links with an IT room able to be utilised for meetings, education and training. Lakeside is designed to accommodate groups from 14 to 170 for meetings, conferences, weddings, celebrations, training and education. South West Lakes Trust director Evelyn Stacey said: ?Lakeside is a tremendous facility for both visitors and the local community. The access is so easy ? just minutes from the A30. The fact that we completed the centre on time and within budget is due to the hard work and dedication of our staff and all those who have helped us realise this wonderful facility.? Lakeside was supported by Government Office for the South West, the South West Regional Development Agency, Heritage Lottery Fund, South West Lakes Trust, South West Water, Torridge District Council, West Devon Borough Council, Broadwoodwidger Parish Council, Exeter Archaeology, South West Forest Project and the Pennon Environmental Fund. Steve Humphreys, Government Office of the South West (GOSW) said: ?The Objective 2 European Regional Development Fund is supporting the Lakeside project as a key facility that will provide access to services for local people and at the same time enhance the location for visitors. ?The project will meet one of the key aims of the programme in helping to regenerate local rural communities by boosting tourism and providing opportunities for local people and businesses.? Nerys Watts, Heritage Lottery Fund manager in the South West said the rejuvenated Lakeside was a fantastic resource and they were thrilled to help bring the project to life.
