The National Trust is under attack

I see what you mean Siope, but as you say I don't suppose the Reform Trust is interested in that.

growstuff I am not entirely, I think I mentioned upthread that I disapprove, for example, of them (us, I suppose) restricting access to public land via parking fees and closures that aren’t necessary for conservation purposes. Obviously, that kind of egalitarianism isn’t something that’s likely to trouble the thinking of the Reform Trust!

I should also say that members of the Board circulated during the refreshment breaks (there was a free lunch - sandwich, piece of fruit, cake, all with a choice, delivered in a paper carrier bag). They sat and talked to the members, all of whom wore a green lanyard. I had a very friendly and, I hope, productive chat with one Board member.

Whitewavemark2

Still, Christmas is certainly not excluded from the NT.

There looks to be some glorious settings and ideas.

I live relatively near a lot of their properties and Nymans for example has a “Nutcracker” Christmas - with huge nutcrackers placed around their divine gardens. Another has an “Ant” Christmas with huge decorated insects and so on. They’ve let their imagination go wild - excellent!

Here are some NT Christmas ideas:

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/christmas/historic-houses-decked-out-for-christmas

NT members have had their say now and they don't seem to have been very impressed with the rebels. Presumably, they're happy with whatever the NT is doing.

Still, Christmas is certainly not excluded from the NT.

There looks to be some glorious settings and ideas.

I live relatively near a lot of their properties and Nymans for example has a “Nutcracker” Christmas - with huge nutcrackers placed around their divine gardens. Another has an “Ant” Christmas with huge decorated insects and so on. They’ve let their imagination go wild - excellent!

Exactly the same thing happened in an education authority in the Midlands over thirty years ago, 'because everyone knows the Christian festivals.' It was not repeated.

Well, in my experience, small children are interested in some parts of history but visiting NT properties was not high on the list to enthuse them.

Callistemon21

Well, many of us couldn't afford it. 🙂

I get this. History was very much part of my B.Ed.Hons Degree as a mature student (I went to Uni at 29)- so the expense was worth it.

We became members when we were parents but eventually just couldnt justify that expense.

Well, many of us couldn't afford it. 🙂

We became members a long time ago, when we were young parents.

vintage1950

There is a full video of the 2023 AGM on the National Trust's website. Warning - there is an awful lot of it! (And you don't get the refreshments.)

If there's no tea and home-made biscuits I may not watch it all

We joined when we retired as, of course, we had more time.
Parents with young children probably don't have the money to spare, either.

Interestingly, almost all those attending were middle-aged or older. I suppose that retired people have the most leisure to study the various issues and to volunteer.

There is a full video of the 2023 AGM on the National Trust's website. Warning - there is an awful lot of it! (And you don't get the refreshments.)

I attended the AGM. John Orna Ornstein, in his reply to the accusation that the NT is sidelining Christianity, said that he himself is a Christian. I also have an NT desk diary for 2024, which clearly shows all the major Christian festivals. I am very glad that Restore Trust failed to have any of its candidates elected.

I didn't say it did have anything to do with it, did I?
Are you the thread monitor?

It was chat, and addressed to Freya51

Callistemon21

What The Romans Did For Us, Freya5!

Enslaved us 🙂
Some of these Romans were black Africans, including commanders and one Emperor.

Yes, we all know that! What has it got to do with NT choosing to teach, in the UK, about the role of the British in the diabolical triangle and how huge fortunes were made that way - resulting in the ownership of many properties currently in NT's hands?

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b082w9p9/black-and-british-a-forgotten-history-1-first-encounters

Very internet series on bbc iplayer about forgotten black history. I learnt a lot from this.

What The Romans Did For Us, Freya5!

Enslaved us 🙂
Some of these Romans were black Africans, including commanders and one Emperor.

Freya5

MaizieD

The National Trust doesn't just own country houses, does it? It owns small dwellings associated with famous figures from the past and large tracts of countryside.

In fact, a staggering variety of properties:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Trust_properties_in_England

Just because its product in some areas has become bland and 'samey' doesn't mean that one should vote for the nutters who want to deny the less savoury aspect of Britain's past. Or does it?

Do you mean people who disagree with you, and others on here. Slavery of black people does not exist in this country, no African heritage person alive today, unless living in some parts of Africa, suffer slavery. Ho w many of you admire Roman ruins, and Anglo saxon burials, those invaders who enslaved the inhabitants of these islands people, took them into slavery, sold them on the continent to Arab and African traders. Your sense of history seems to be , and the NT, obsessed with only one aspect of that terrible part of most countries history. How many holiday in Portugal,do you take note of their instigation of the European slave trade. Why are you concerned that a black parent wouldn't want their children to know ,,the past history of some of their possible ancestors. Do those who suffered the holocaust turnaway. I would like history to be truthful, about every aspect, not just the one that is in vogue to suit a minority.

Countries all over the world are trying to come to terms with their role in slavery. And discussions are taking place about whether it is best to 'erase' (as in removing and destroying statues of key people linked to slavery) - or to educate by explaining where and how their wealth (and their houses, furniture, etc) comes from. Most countries have come to the conclusion that using houses, statues, and other wealth, to explain and educate. Good I say. and I have been a member of the NT for about 45 years.

Our DDs and GCs are very aware of their ancestry on both sided of the slave trade, owners and slaves, and yes, they do want to know.

I vaguely recall when the Telegraph wasn’t a rag.

National Trust 2024 calendar showing Good Friday and Easter Monday. This is their ‘gardens’ calendar, but others I quickly checked are the same.

Anniebach

Must have Casdon , there is a part of a South Wales Valley, I will not name it , where one learned why there were so many more redheads living there than the rest of the valley. As for
‘Their homes were protected by law ‘ so not true

I wonder if this is the Gwendraeth Fawr Valley, where studies have shown that there is a high percentage of people with red hair. The reasons are fascinating and give clues to population movement in South Wales, but they have nothing to do with slavery, so I'm a bit puzzled.

Freya5

MaizieD

The National Trust doesn't just own country houses, does it? It owns small dwellings associated with famous figures from the past and large tracts of countryside.

In fact, a staggering variety of properties:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Trust_properties_in_England

Just because its product in some areas has become bland and 'samey' doesn't mean that one should vote for the nutters who want to deny the less savoury aspect of Britain's past. Or does it?

Do you mean people who disagree with you, and others on here. Slavery of black people does not exist in this country, no African heritage person alive today, unless living in some parts of Africa, suffer slavery. Ho w many of you admire Roman ruins, and Anglo saxon burials, those invaders who enslaved the inhabitants of these islands people, took them into slavery, sold them on the continent to Arab and African traders. Your sense of history seems to be , and the NT, obsessed with only one aspect of that terrible part of most countries history. How many holiday in Portugal,do you take note of their instigation of the European slave trade. Why are you concerned that a black parent wouldn't want their children to know ,,the past history of some of their possible ancestors. Do those who suffered the holocaust turnaway. I would like history to be truthful, about every aspect, not just the one that is in vogue to suit a minority.

www.antislavery.org/slavery-today/slavery-uk/#:~:text=Modern%20slavery%20exists%20in%20many,bars%2C%20car%20washes%20or%20manufacturing.

No - bigotry and regression has been avoided.

It is a forward looking outfit concerned for the environment and the history it has inherited.