OPEN DAYS
The company held 18 open days during the 2005 season with over 21,000 visitors attending. Blagdon Pumping Station and visitor centre was the focus for most of the events. The pumping station was opened regularly throughout the summer and included a two-day charity country fayre. Inside the pumping station is a beam engine run nowadays by electricity. In the centre is an extensive range of themed rooms covering all aspects of the water cycle and incorporating educational material and hands-on displays for all ages. Outside the landscaped grounds offer room for picnics as well as a nature trail walk. The company also held an environmental open day where well-known TV wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan was available to meet and talk to visitors. The event gave the nearly 4000 visitors a chance to find out more about the wildlife and conservation work as well as the recreational facilities in and around Chew Valley Lake and the Mendip area. All of the Open Days apart for the two day country fayre were free entry.

SCHOOL TALKS AND TOURS
During the year the company gave 90 tours and talks involving 2870 people. This included school visits and trips to educational facilities like Blagdon Pumping Station and Cheddar treatment works. Additionally, talks were given to a range of groups, clubs and societies.

CHEW LAKE PICNIC SITES AND TEA SHOP
Chew Valley Lake has two large landscaped picnic areas which are open to the public all year round. There is also an information centre and teashop in picnic area no 1. Two nature trails covering a total of 2.7km - The Grebe and Bittern - are accessible from picnic area no 2. The Grebe is an all weather surface suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. These facilities are used by thousands of visitors during the year. (dogs are also permitted but must be kept on a lead)

CHEDDAR RESERVOIR
The company allows public access for walks around the perimeter of Cheddar reservoir which covers a distance of just over 3.5 km. There are two free car parks available with access up to the path. In conjunction with Somerset County Council a new gate was installed at the Axbridge entrance to give improved access for disabled people. (Dogs are also permitted but must be kept on a lead. Some further restrictions apply when sheep are grazing)

WOODFORD LODGE
Woodford Lodge restaurant and fishing lodge was also a popular destination for people to enjoy a walk at a beautiful lakeside setting as well as eating at the restaurant.

HERITAGE CONSERVATION
The Blagdon beam engines, housed in a listed pumping station, were maintained. One is still in working order running by electricity and is regularly run for visitors at open days and for school visits during the year.

BIRDWATCHING
Season permit sales - 461 permits
Day permits - 229 permits

One very unusual sighting this year was the appearance of two gannets, one at Chew (immature) and one at Blagdon (adult) on the same day. Others are spotted crake, Osprey, Bittern, and ferruginous duck.