THE director of a Lifton-based company was the guest of Tony Blair last week at a reception to thank some of the country?s unsung heroes of sustainable development.
Arlin Rickard of the Westcountry Rivers Trust was one of seven of the region?s representatives invited to Downing Street.
Since 2000, the trust?s flagship scheme ? the Cornwall Rivers Project ? has worked to improve the water quality and environmental habitat of ten of the county?s rivers.
Sustainable development is the aim of meeting the social, environmental and economic needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Tony Blair has made a commitment to placing it at the heart of Government policy-making. He said: ?This is a huge issue at home and on the international stage and this Government continues to play a leading role.
?But as the Government, we can only do so much. For local communities it is the work of the people on the ground that represents sustainable development in action.
?That means the individuals and organisations involved in preserving public spaces, protecting wildlife, promoting efficient energy use, recycling schemes, reducing waste ? the list of projects goes on.
?This reception is a small way of saying thank you for all their hard work.?
Mr Rickard said the Cornwall Rivers Project was a very good example of how rural areas like Cornwall had benefitted from Objective One funding.
?Support from Government Office South West and DEFRA has allowed us to work with 1,000 people in the community to help them improve the local environment and ensure a sustainable future for Cornwall,? he said.
Other guests included Rebecca Matthews-Joyce, who was recognised for her work as project manager for Devon Food Links, which aims to help the local food sector grow by providing training, mentoring, grants, promotion and raising awareness.