Tag: National Trust

PRESS RELEASE : His Majesty The King and the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford plant Pontfadog Oak sapling at Erddig [December 2022]

The press release issued by the National Trust on 9 December 2022.

His Majesty The King and the First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford visit National Trust Cymru’s Erddig in Wrexham, 45 years after His Majesty The King first opened Erddig to the public.

His Majesty planted a rare sapling successfully grafted from the historic Pontfadog Oak, which fell in a storm in 2013.

During the visit His Majesty and the First Minister met with young volunteers who take part in Erddig Grow, a project which works with partner organisations to support people’s wellbeing through being in nature.

His Majesty The King planted a rare sapling successfully grafted from the historic Pontfadog Oak in the grounds of Erddig in Wrexham, alongside the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford.

The ancient Pontfadog Oak, which fell in a storm in 2013, stood at Cilcochwyn Farm, near Chirk, Wrexham, and was cared for by generations of the Williams family. It was thought to be one of the world’s largest and oldest oak trees.

In 2013, The Crown Estate propagated the original Pontfadog Oak tree and planted a tree in Windsor Great Park. A further five Pontfadog Oaks were then grafted from this tree; three have been gifted to National Trust Cymru, and two are cared for by the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

The sapling was planted in memoriam to honour Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This was His Majesty’s first visit to a place cared for by the National Trust since his accession to the Throne.

During the visit to Erddig, His Majesty and the First Minister were accompanied by Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust and Lhosa Daly, Director for Wales, National Trust Cymru, and met a number of staff and young volunteers.

Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, says: ‘It’s an honour to welcome His Majesty The King back to Erddig, and to welcome the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford.

‘His Majesty has long been a supporter of our work at Erddig, including opening the property to the public in 1977, and a visit to mark its 25th Anniversary in the care of the National Trust in 2002.

‘We’re deeply privileged to have His Majesty, the First Minister, and members of the Williams family with us to plant the Pontfadog Oak sapling to honour Her Late Majesty The Queen. We look forward to caring for the sapling as it grows and provides a space for people to reflect and connect with nature and history.’

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford said: ‘It was a pleasure to be present at Erddig for the planting of the Pontfadog oak sapling in honour of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

‘The tree has an incredible history having been grafted from such a grand and ancient Oak.

‘I hope that the tree will grow and develop into a mighty Oak that will stand for centuries to come at Erddig.’

Prior to planting the sapling, the group heard about Erddig’s active community work, which focuses on enabling children and young people and increasing access to the National Trust for those who could gain most from it.

His Majesty and the First Minister met youth volunteers who take part in Erddig Grow, a project which works with partner organisations to support people’s wellbeing through learning skills, being in nature, and building connections with other people. The youth volunteers invited His Majesty to plant a copper beech tree as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

Lhosa Daly, Director for Wales, National Trust Cymru, says: ‘It was a pleasure to see brilliant young volunteers introduced to His Majesty and the First Minister. The work that volunteers and staff do at Erddig to increase access to nature, beauty, and history makes a real difference to so many people’s wellbeing. It goes to the very heart of the National Trust’s charitable purpose.’

‘This ethos has long been part of Erddig’s legacy in the Wrexham community; in the 1790s, the Yorke family who cared for Erddig prior to the Trust championed these values and ensured the estate was open for the health and amusement of local people. It’s wonderful to see this legacy continued at Erddig today through projects like Erddig Grow and many others.’

During the visit, His Majesty and the First Minister met the Head Gardener to admire the bountiful display of apples from this year’s harvest. The Erddig estate contains vast orchards of trained fruit trees and is home to over 200 apple varieties. The group also saw the penny farthing His Majesty rode on his first visit to Erddig in 1977.

This December, the outside of the house at Erddig has been transformed into a giant advent calendar, with a new advent window shining out from the mansion house each day. On the day of the visit, the 9th advent window was unveiled, revealing a picture of a Christmas tree drawn by 7-year-old Noah who lives locally.

During the visit, Head Gardener Glyn Smith presented His Majesty with an acorn carved by a volunteer from Erddig oak and a selection of apples from the orchards.

December 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Statement on the Government’s conclusion of a review into ELMS [December 2022]

The press release issued by the National Trust on 2 December 2022.

Harry Bowell, Director of Land and Nature, responds to the Secretary of State’s speech about ELMS, the environmental payment scheme for farmers in England, at yesterday’s CLA Business Conference:

“The Government has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring food, farming and nature together in harmony, and stop treating nature as a bolt-on.

“A return to Countryside Stewardship, where farmers are paid to look after the environment as a supplement to their core business interests, with little tailoring to local needs, risks a clunky retrofitting of previous policies rather than securing the world-leading overhaul that farmers were promised.

“The Government mustn’t abandon the ambitious goals of its Local Nature Recovery scheme, which farmers have poured hours into making a success, and which puts a healthy local environment at the heart of farming. As well as offering a lifeline to our fast declining species, it would see farmers rewarded for making space for nature, building resilience to climate change, and improving air and water quality, while opening up opportunities for private finance.

“Now is the time for doubling down, not watering down.”

December 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Sketch by Sir Edwin Lutyens of his original design for the Cenotaph at Whitehall is discovered among papers at Scotney Castle [November 2022]

The press release issued by the National Trust on 10 November 2022.

A sketch by Sir Edwin Lutyens of his design for the original Cenotaph in 1919 has been discovered among papers in the archive at National Trust property Scotney Castle in Kent.

The sketch, in black and white and coloured pencil, depicts the first Cenotaph at Whitehall, London, with a military figure stationed at each corner, and two wreaths. Lutyens had written next to the sketch, “wreaths from the King” and “Queen Alexandra” with question marks next to them, leading to the question, was the sketch done before the first ceremony took place?

Scotney Castle was the former home of architectural historian Christopher Hussey whose biography of Lutyens is considered by many to be one of the best on his life and career.

Lutyens’ design for the first Cenotaph was in wood and was created at speed in 1919 for the ceremony to commemorate the end of the First World War. Following the outpouring of support for it, the decision was made to replace it with a more permanent version in Portland stone which is the one that remains today.

How the newly discovered sketch of it came to be at Scotney Castle is still a mystery.

National Trust curator Jerzy-Kierkuc-Bielinski explained: “Scotney’s archive contains boxes of Hussey’s research notes and other documents related to the Hussey family, and we are preparing to move them to the Kent Records Office at Maidstone so scholars and the general public can access and study them more easily. Before we transfer them, I have been reviewing the documents which is when I discovered the sketch.

“There are other sketches by Lutyens of his design for the Cenotaph in other collections and institutions, but why we have this one at Scotney is a bit of a puzzle. It is sketched on the reverse of a sheet of notepaper with Lutyens’ London address on it. The drawing on note paper suggests this may have been done as an informal architectural study where Lutyens was thinking about elements of the design for himself rather than to show anyone else.

“Possibly, Lutyens was using this drawing to decide where best wreaths could be placed so that they could be seen during the commemorations in July 1919 to mark the end of the First World War. How exactly Christopher Hussey acquired the drawing needs more research but, as editor of Country Life, he was well-aware of Lutyens’ work as an architect of many country houses. It is likely that the drawing came to Scotney as part of the research Hussey was undertaking into his 1950 biography of Lutyens.”

Jerzy continued: “We have more research to do to discover how and why the sketch came to be at Scotney and will share more with our visitors when the house re-opens in the spring and we can display it. But one thing is for certain, as one of Lutyens’ most important commissions, this little sketch of the first Cenotaph is a remarkable find. It is a real piece of history.”

Collating the Hussey papers is part of a major project that has been ongoing at Scotney Castle to catalogue all the documents and other collections since the house came into the care of the National Trust in 2007.

During this time, several other notable discoveries have included a metal trunk full of memorabilia discovered in the attic, amassed by Brigadier General Arthur Hussey during his time in action during the First World War, and a vast collection of ancient coins spanning 25 centuries, gathered by Edmund Hussey III and his son in the 19th century, found in the back of a drawer.

November 12, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : National Trust’s 2022 AGM celebrates the best of history and nature as members have their say on the charity’s future [November 2022]

The press release issued by the National Trust on 5 November 2022.

This year more than 127,000 members voted on six resolutions and elected seven new members of the National Trust Council at the charity’s Annual General Meeting on 5 November.

A summary of the results of resolutions voting are as follows, with a detailed breakdown here:

Resolution 1. Participation in Pride – not carried (43,569 for / 78,807 against)

Resolution 2. Rewilding/rewetting – not carried (37,049 for / 84,414 against)

Resolution 3. Ombudsman – not carried (38,985 for / 81,703 against)

Resolution 4. Banking with Barclays – not carried (24,949 for / 86,854 against)

Resolution 5. Stonehenge– not carried (30,670 for / 81,746 against)

Resolution 6. Chair’s discretionary proxy vote – not carried (50,263 for / 70,224 against)

Trustees will consider the outcomes of the resolutions later this autumn before updating members.

René Olivieri, Chair of the National Trust’s Board of Trustees, said: “We are grateful that so many of our members were able to join us at our Annual General Meeting, either in person or online, and we would like to thank them and the many thousands of other members who took the time to vote on the resolutions and for new Council members. The Board of Trustees will reflect on the outcomes of the voting and we will be back in touch with members through our usual channels in the coming weeks.”

“On a personal note, I was delighted to have the chance to meet so many members today at what was my first AGM. It is very important to me that we listen to and consider diverse views on our work and future. We are privileged to have such dedicated and passionate people supporting the National Trust.”

Members have also chosen seven people to join the National Trust Council – the governing body which appoints trustees and helps to monitor and support their work. The Council is made up of 36 members who have a range of expertise in everything from education and agriculture to nature and the built environment.

Following the vote, the members joining the Council are:

Harris Bokhari OBE (72,120 votes, elected)

Anne Casement (72,963 votes, re-elected)

Jane Dean (74,108 votes, re-elected)

Sally Hunt (71,358 votes, elected)

Duncan Mackay (66,850 votes, re-elected)

Paul Roberts (63,771 votes, re-elected)

Will Wilkin (65,609 votes, elected)

As well as the standard voting procedures for resolutions and Council elections, the 2022 AGM celebrated people and nature stories from around the National Trust. Speeches and presentations celebrated pioneering farming projects in the Lake District, plans to improve access to nature for people in cities and the Trust’s more than 44,000 volunteers. They also included tours of National Trust places by bike and by scone, as staff member Huw Davies finished his cycling tour of 518 Trust places, and Sarah Merker nears the end of her 10 year-long endeavour to test the Trust’s renowned scones at each of the charity’s cafés. The AGM closed with a rendition of a song by Serena Ittoo, one of the winners of the Forthlin sessions, which offered unsigned musicians a chance to visit, write and perform at Forthlin Road, the childhood home of Paul and Mike McCartney.

Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, said: “Our Annual General Meeting is one of the most important events in our calendar. It is an essential part of our democratic governance process, as it gives our members the opportunity to ask the questions on the subjects that matter most to them and to have their say on the direction and focus of the National Trust. Our AGM is also a celebration of everything we do: our stories, our places and our people. I am delighted that we were able to share so much of that today.”

Questions from members ranged from the Trust’s future projects to engage children and young people, to its plans for Clandon. They also covered ensuring sustainability in Trust cafés, the introduction of Quick Vote for AGM voting and promoting sustainable travel to sites, amongst other topics.

November 6, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Climate, nature, conservation and cost of living top the agenda as Director-General outlines challenges and opportunities ahead of National Trust’s AGM [November 2022]

The press release issued by the National Trust on 4 November 2022.

Ahead of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) later today, the National Trust shares insight into a year of highs and lows and looks to its future, as the conservation charity navigates delivering its strategy amidst the challenging legacy of the pandemic and a difficult economic environment.

New heritage acquisitions, campaigns to bring nature into cities, and responding to the increasing impacts of climate change are amongst the milestones of 2022 for the National Trust and will be outlined by Director-General Hilary McGrady in her address to members at the AGM. With rising costs beginning to have an impact, the charity anticipates a mixed year ahead but is optimistic about the deep and enduring connection people have with nature, beauty and history.

From wildfires at popular beauty spots like Baggy Point and Studland Bay, to protecting historic collections from increasingly damp and humid conditions, this year has brought the climate crisis into focus like never before. Storm Arwen felled more than 50 veteran trees at Bodnant, demonstrating the threat to the natural environment. The Trust will continue its efforts to improve resilience to the effects of climate change by bolstering nature, including restoring peatlands, planting and establishing trees and creating new areas of wetland.

Work to power more Trust places by renewable energy will be prioritised, to afford the charity more energy security in the long term. The Trust has committed to reaching net zero by 2030 and reducing reliance on non-sustainable forms of energy will play a critical role in reaching this goal. With electricity costs across the Trust’s portfolio of more than 500 sites having more than doubled over the last couple of months, recent projects to reduce the charity’s reliance on fossil fuels include the installation of an air source heat pump at Charlecote West Lodge, a ground source heat pump at Kingston Lacy and the installation of solar panels on the roof of the café and visitor centre at Sizergh Castle. Energy reduction measures such as improving pipe lagging at Quarry Bank Mill, upgrading storage heaters to more modern and efficient models at Hughenden and installing LED lighting at Beningborough Hall are also critical, as the Trust looks to weather the storms of the energy crisis, the need to decarbonise, and rising costs.

The Trust is also introducing initiatives to tackle the impact that the cost of living crisis is having on visitors, and create more equal access to green and historic places. Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester and bringing thousands of new blossoming trees into city centres are creating new free-to-access spaces for nature and people in urban heartlands and this will continue in cities round the UK in 2023. This autumn, non-members and members could claim free passes for themselves or guests as part of a dedicated campaign to support people to visit National Trust places that normally charge for entry. Over the autumn half term holidays, 53 National Trust properties in England and Wales piloted a Kids Eat Free offer.

The results of these initiatives are revealed by recent visitor figures, which indicate that escaping into nature and connecting with history and heritage has been important for people this year. The National Trust’s pay for entry places saw their busiest October ever, with footfall exceeding 2.6 million visitors. Particularly popular were places with fantastic displays of autumn colour on the trees, such as Winkworth Arboretum, Felbrigg, Stowe, Stourhead and Croome.

Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, said: “After a year of recovery, I’m proud of how much we have achieved over the last year – from the completion of works at Castle Drogo, England’s last castle, to the award-winning restoration of Seaton Delaval. There is no doubt we are facing challenges from a number of directions: rising costs across the board, the intensifying climate crisis, and a wide gulf to bridge as we work to tack unequal access to nature, beauty and history in the UK. But it’s clear that the National Trust’s charitable purpose is as relevant now to people as it ever was. We have a very big part to play in continuing to support people through the challenging times ahead, as we have done over the last few difficult years.”

Facing forward, this year’s AGM will spotlight new acquisitions and stories in heritage. On display at the AGM will be an oil sketch by John Singer Sargent of Elsie Palmer, just acquired from her granddaughter. The work was undertaken in preparation for his famous portrait of the Lady in White. Members will have the chance to study the sketch up close before it returns to Ightham Mote, the English country house in Kent where Sargent painted Elsie Palmer. The AGM will also launch the first edition of the new Cultural Heritage Magazine, now available to download from the National Trust website. The quarterly publication will showcase the latest curatorial and conservation news, research projects and expertise and launches towards the end of a bumper year for history and heritage at the National Trust, during which the Trust opened new acquisition Crook Hall Gardens and the Children’s Country House at Sudbury.

Hilary McGrady continued: “With a membership of 5.7 million and many more non-member visitors, we are very mindful that people come to the National Trust for different reasons. Some want to learn about our country’s fascinating history, others want to escape into beautiful outdoor spaces. Many want both. It is up to us as a charity to find new ways of helping people to do just that and this means going beyond our boundaries, taking nature, beauty and history directly to people as well as supporting them to come to us. I’m proud of what we have achieved so far and of our ambitions for the future. I look forward to celebrating the wonderful world of the National Trust, from scones to Sargent, with our members at our AGM later today.”

November 6, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : National Trust Comment on the Retained EU Law Bill [October 2022]

The press release issued by the National Trust on 21 October 2022.

The Retained EU Law Bill is to have its second reading in parliament today, Tuesday 25 October 2022. Here, our Director of Outdoors & Natural Resources, Patrick Begg, explains why this bill puts important environmental protections at risk and why an alternative process should be put in place:

“Over 570 environmental, animal welfare and other important safeguards are at risk of being erased over the next 18 months, with little indication of what may replace them. This is deeply concerning. Nature is finite, once it’s gone we can’t get it back. And it’s already close to breaking point: global wildlife populations have declined by an average of 70% since 1970.

“Government’s role should be to nurture our natural world, our rivers, seas, woodland and wildlife which underpin the economy as much as they do society’s wellbeing. Halting, and then reversing, serious declines in nature is fundamental to all our lives, and that starts with maintaining basic protections.

“We urge the Government to withdraw the REUL Bill and instead put in place a more appropriate process, giving any new environment laws the time and resources needed for proper scrutiny through parliament.”

October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : ‘Green, not grey’ – National Trust calls on Government to put environment at root of growth plans [October 2022]
The press release issued by the National Trust on 9 October 2022.

The National Trust has today called on the Government to commit to a “green, not grey” growth agenda, as concerns continue to rise over proposals to rip up critical nature protections, remove planning regulations in so-called “investment zones” and review environmental farming subsidies.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister set out her plans for growing the economy, and said that, despite changes to come, “everyone will benefit from the result”.

But the conservation charity is warning that for true, long-term benefit, economic growth and shared prosperity must not come at ‘wholesale’ cost to the environment. Instead, the Trust says, it should be rooted in green jobs, sustainable food production, clean energy and protected nature, heritage, and outdoor space.

The Trust also said that while simplifying regulations was welcome, there was a difference between ‘red tape’ and crucial protections that safeguard the wildlife, landscapes and buildings that matter to people.

It has set out a series of seven ‘red lines’ that it says cannot afford to be lost in upcoming Government policies:

The government should prioritise green growth (including the 440,000 green jobs promised in the Net Zero Strategy)

Any changes to existing laws must not water down critical protections for the environment and heritage

New investment zones must not create grey zones devoid of nature or historic character in which people have no say about the development that impacts them

New farm payments must keep the same level of commitment to reward farmers for public goods, from cleaner rivers to healthier soils and protecting our cultural heritage

Government should listen and collaborate with the public, as well as conservation charities, farming groups, businesses and others who can inform decision making on what they propose

Any changes to Government and its agencies must not adversely affect their ability to deliver on manifesto commitments, such as protecting 30% of the UK’s land for nature by 2030

The Government must stay true to its net zero legal obligation and strategy – but fracking is not the answer

Harry Bowell, Director of Land and Nature at the National Trust, said: “It is a myth that we can’t grow the economy and the environment together. Far from it. Healthy soils and clean water underpin sustainable food production, keeping food on our plates and providing for our next generations. These natural assets are also fundamental tools in making places more resilient to the shocks of climate change and in locking away carbon. And better, more plentiful green space boosts people’s health and wellbeing and lessens the burden on our already stretched NHS.

“Not forgetting the significant amounts of money generated by the tourism industry because visitors come to see our amazing heritage, nature and landscapes.”

“What we cannot have is growth at any cost. If we tarmac over green space, if we allow a planning free-for-all in our towns and cities, if we don’t invest in nature – then we put economies, livelihoods and wellbeing in danger. People need green space, they need local heritage and character, and they need a say in shaping the places where they live. We need to pursue growth with deeper roots.”

The Trust cited its recent investment in The Roundhouse in Birmingham as an example of why nature and historical character is good for growth, not in opposition. Working jointly with the Canal and River Trust, the charity has revamped the historic Roundhouse building, making the most of its historic character and access to nature via the canal. Its rental units have proved attractive to local businesses, who want quality of life, not just grey development.

Likewise, just outside, the Trust is working with the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support Birmingham’s parks and green spaces as part of its Future Parks programme. Research carried out as part of this work shows that for every pound spent on green spaces, the local economy benefits many times over, as the area becomes healthier and more attractive for investment.

The charity also said vital protections were too easily dismissed as ‘red tape’.

Harry said: “Too often the protections that keep our magnificent ancient trees standing, our seas and rivers clean, and our wildlife from dying out completely are dismissed as red tape. But once these natural assets are gone, we cannot get them back. Instead, we need should see these laws as safeguards, that protect the things people care about – and that means there’s more for our children, and our children’s children, to enjoy.”
October 12, 2022