THE NATIONAL TRUST - A PRECIOUS JEWEL

THE NATIONAL TRUST - A Precious Gift to Britain
A personal perspective

I have been a Member of The National Trust for most of my life. I have visited Historic Houses such as - Clivedon, Waddesdon  Manor in Buckinghamshire, Chastleton, Buscot Park in Oxfordshire, Knole House in Kent, Lanhydrock in Cornwall, Mottisfont and The Vyne in Hampshire, Bodiam Castle in East Sussex - and literally dozens and more Historic House and Areas of Outstanding Beauty,

I regard The National Trust as a Precious Jewel, a wonderful Defender of our British Heritage, safeguarding the richness of our cherished past and preserving our precious History and protecting our environment and areas of outstanding beauty. What a tragedy if all this was lost !

Fortunately, The National Trust has a strong body of Volunteers who work tirelessly for The National Trust. I salute everyone of them, whether they work as Guides at Historic Houses, Gardeners who keep the Gardens so beautiful at all seasons, Conservationists who use their significant skills to preserve, renovate and protect items such as Historic Works of Art, Carpets, Curtains, Furniture to name just a few of their extensive activities.

Of course, all of this would not be possible without generous donations from many people, companies and Organisations.
I am proud of the many local Volunteers who work so hard at fundraising for The National Trust. They are The Salt of the Earth.
Long may they flourish !

The National Trust has  given me and my family endless enjoyment over the years. It has given pleasure to Millions of other visitors from Britain and the rest of The World.
We have loved the wonderful flowers at Springtime, The Parterres full of colourful flowers and shrubs. The Clivedon Long Walk was a blaze of majestic colour this year. Thousands of Snowdrops, Daffodils and Bluebells adorned acres of the landscapes at Historic Houses and Gardens.

What would life be like without a The National Trust ? I suggest that  we would lose so much of our history and past and present beauty.

The National Trust could not exist and flourish without its strong Organisational Structure and Management. We are fortunate to have dedicated leadership and management at Top Level who oversea that The National Trust maintains its Stewardship of Excellence and who Inspire Volunteers and local National Trust organisations. For example, The Wycombe National Trust Club raises some £7,000 plus each year and they hold regular Coffee Mornings attended by some 100 Members to increase funds for The National Trust and local Charities. I believe that The National Trust can provide more ideas to the local branches about fundraising.

So, it is no secret that I love The National Trust and what it stands for. I want to encourage everyone to take an interest in The future of The National Trust.

May The National Trust flourish for ever - Thank you The National Trust.

FLORIAT THE NATIONAL TRUST

Raymond Williams MA MPhil MBA DIPM
EUREKYS