Last week’s blog about switching my membership from the National Trust to the National Trust for Scotland attracted a lot of views and over 50 comments.
The comments, both here and on social media, were very varied and ranged from ‘did that ages ago myself’ to ‘you have no right to do that’ and from ‘oooh – good idea’ to ‘they’re all as bad as each other’.
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Quite understandably – whilst their membership may look quite uniform their opinions are varied…
“The UK’s most important charity” (Alan Partridge)
Non news Mark, who really cares, far more important topics to blog than why when etc you choose to leave the NT.
NT Scotland has many troubles ie pay for staff, not looking after their sites, due to lack of cash, they all try to do some good whether NT for Scotland, NT for England or anywhere else.
Also you do not like N.E. RSPB, DEFRA Come off it, they are trying thelp with environmental problems, why not go on about Trump, causing damage by his actions in cutting back the EPA and his denial of science.
Moan, moan about petty problems, talk about the good news and forget the continual sniping, I know members of these organization try to do a good job under difficult circumstances.
Ben – ha ha. I notice you didn’t try to influence me by telling me that I was completely right. Have you looked in the mirror recently? And if you don’t like the content of this blog you are not compelled to read it. Simples!
Ben you are absolutely right…!!
“Who really cares?”
Clearly a lot of people care about the underlying issue behind Mark’s blogging about NT, RSPB and Defra, namely the environmental damage that is being done by the driven grouse shooting industry. The organisations referred to all have significant potential influence over the resolution of these problems and so it is perfectly reasonable to lobby them, criticize them and take steps to encourage them to do more/do better in addressing the problem. If we just talk about the good news as you suggest then how will change occur?
If everyone just decided to ‘go on about Trump and his actions’ as you suggest an awful lot of other serious environmental problems (at all scales from local to global) would be ignored and progress in solving them would be hampered.
I think the fact that it prompted a lot of views, comments and debate, Mark means it achieved what a blog should achieve! Clearly people are interested in your views – whether they agree or disagree – follow and enjoy your blog – always though provoking! Keep up the great work!
As an apostate who had already left the NT for similar reasons maybe I should avoid comment but it is good that there has been the start of a conversation. The ‘you have no right to do that’ lot are interesting, I wonder what that is about?
Mark, I wonder if you had considered standing for the National Trust Council and trying to push the NT to change from within.
Last years AGM had people elected to the Council with the lowest having only 16,099 votes highest with 24,428.
Surely ‘we’ can get some people elected to the NT Council in 2018
A good idea.
If people with more responsible, conservation-minded views on land management wanted to stand for Council, perhaps given space to guest-blog here, I’d certainly be glad to vote for them.
Not leaving, I am now a volunteer with nt and my wife will be rejoining in near future, as a volunteer I get the volunteer card
I left NT a few years back on basis that I wasn’t happy with the way that their man in charge used his proxy vote against the trend from members to allow culling of Badgers on NT Land. I’m also disappointed that blind eyes are turned towards illegal hunting activity suggesting that NT leadership is engrained with the right-wing establishment.
I realise that I shouldn’t expect NGOs I may support to do everything I want but similarly, if should be able vote with my feet and support more worthy organisations.
RSPB leadership does not sit well with me either – more vocal presence from the top to rally membership to take more action would be my choice where it comes to species Protection and Birds.
One comment mentioned that all Rangers were loosing their jobs in the SNT. Some of this could be due to too many volunteers and the other loss of money from SNH! Gateshead Council sacked all their rangers when they felt that volunteers could do the job for free!!
That’s why we should not use self-checkouts
My sole opinion, for what it is worth: Historic Environment Scotland should take over NT Scotland as soon as possible. Far better run and staffed – plus 10% off purchases!
Not easy to see how that could happen. One is a public body the other a NGO.
Bernard,seriously well done good for you.
Jokingly,is it worth a lot on Ebay.
Being critical of organisations does no harm, whereas complacency allows sub-optimal and even harmful actions to persist. It’s perfectly sensible for people to ‘vote with their wallets’ and inform on reasons for their action.