Nature. Beauty. History - Your supporter update 2021 - National Trust
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Nature. Beauty. History. Your supporter update 2021
2020 didn’t turn out to be the year
any of us had expected, or hoped for.
We and our members had been looking
forward to a celebratory year, marking
our 125th anniversary. Instead, we faced
one of the biggest challenges in our
history. Unfortunately, many properties
Thank
were forced to temporarily close and
conservation projects had to be paused.
you
Our belief that everyone needs nature has
always been strong, yet no-one could’ve
predicted how important the natural world
would be to everyone, as the year unfolded.
Nature has been there for us when we’ve
needed it most, and with the help of supporters
like you, our teams and volunteers have been
working hard to protect our nation’s unique
wildlife, landscapes and incredible heritage.
Although we had to pause many of our projects,
your support meant we were still able to
create more wildflower meadows, replenish
tranquil woodland, encourage wildlife to
thrive and bring rich histories back to life.
Our work is more important than ever, and
there is such a lot we can achieve together
in 2021. Pressing on with our pledge to
address the twin crises in climate and
nature by planting 20 million trees over the
next 10 years is just one of the ways that,
together, we are making a difference.
We share a love for nature, beauty and history,
and on behalf of everyone at the National Trust,
I want to thank you for your continued support.
Hilary McGrady
Director-General
Re-creating Northwood The Big Tree Plant
Northwood in West Sussex was once Your support is making a difference in
a vast area of woodland, but much of North Devon too, where 125,000 trees will
it was felled during the world wars and be planted in the next five years. These
then farmed until 2013. Today, only small trees will help combat climate change by
pockets of disconnected woodland remain. capturing and storing carbon. What’s more,
expanding the internationally important
Seventy-five hectares of land at
Atlantic rainforests along the North Devon
You’re creating more tranquillity … Northwood is being turned back to
woodland thanks to people like you –
coast will improve habitat for wildlife.
and helping to save the planet too.
and a gift left to us in the will of a kind In February 2020, the North Devon team
supporter. Over 13,000 trees have already held the Big Tree Plant to kickstart the
been planted by volunteers, local schools planting. Supporters, volunteers and
and community groups, providing a National Trust staff planted a mix of
haven for both wildlife and people. oak, birch, sycamore, hazel, hawthorn,
Everyone needs tranquil places they can
escape to. For many of us that means spending
20 million willow and various fruiting trees.
time beneath a calming canopy of trees. trees in 10 years.
Trees provide homes for wildlife,
reduce flooding and clean the air we
breathe. Today, however, the UK is the
least wooded country in Europe. ‘There are great benefits
to gain from tree planting.
Together we’re
We can extend important
reviving woodland habitats and make them
With your support we are determined to better for wildlife, while
replenish woodland habitats, which will
helping to tackle climate Dedicate a tree to someone special
establish more places where nature can If you’ve lost a loved one, dedicating a tree in their memory is a unique way for
thrive and create healthy landscapes that change. Besides all of this,
their story to live on. Your dedication will also support our ambition to plant
will be more resilient to climate change. At trees create a wonderful oasis
20 million trees in the next 10 years, with your memories at the heart of our
the start of 2020 we made a pledge to plant to escape to.’ woodlands. This winter, your donations will help us to plant 13,000 tree saplings.
20 million trees over the next 10 years – and
Catherine Wright,
we are still committed to this ambition, Would you like to dedicate a tree to someone special?
National Trust Ranger
despite the impacts of coronavirus. For more details visit nationaltrust.org.uk/dedicate-a-tree
Rivers are Reviving the River Skell
The Skell Valley in North Yorkshire sits in the
starting to flow Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Its striking and distinctive landscape is made up of
with life again … rugged moorland, agricultural land and the World
Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
thanks to you. However, the Skell Valley’s cultural and natural
heritage is under threat from flooding, siltation
and neglect. In early 2020 we launched an
appeal and asked supporters like you to help
Rivers are the lifeblood of our Busy beavers shape the future of this unique landscape.
landscapes. However, many of
our rivers are under threat and Beavers were once an important part Over the next four years we plan to slow the
freshwater wildlife is in trouble. of our ecosystem, but they were flow of water along the River Skell and create
Human interference and pollution eradicated in the UK in the 16th century better habitats for wildlife by reducing the
have damaged our waterways. due to hunting. Your support has made amount of soil erosion and run-off into the river.
Thanks to funders and players of it possible to reintroduce beavers at With support from you and The Royal Oak
People’s Postcode Lottery, we’re our Riverlands project site at Holnicote, Foundation, we plan to uncover and restore
working hard to turn the tide. Exmoor and at Valewood in the South heritage features surrounding the river, as well
Downs – and they’ve certainly been busy! as improving accessibility so that more people
We are working with the Environment can enjoy what the Skell Valley has to offer.
Agency and Natural Resources Just nine months after being introduced
Wales on the Riverlands project to to slow the flow of water through the
return more rivers and catchments landscape and improve river quality and
to a healthy state, with clean water biodiversity, these industrious creatures Creating habitat
teeming with wildlife. This year, we have created what is thought to be the first The River Bure flows into the
need your continued support to slow beaver dam on Exmoor for over 400 years. internationally important Norfolk Broads,
the flow of more rivers by introducing As we face the effects of climate change which is Britain’s largest designated
woody dams and to remove and more frequent extreme weather wetland and a haven for wildlife. In
unnecessary weirs or structures to events, restoring natural processes needs March 2020, in an initial phase of river
allow rivers to regain some of their to be part of the solution. restoration, we restored 900m of a small
natural complexity. Creating wildlife tributary of the river, increasing the
buffer zones on riverbanks, building ‘The dam has only been here available habitat for fish and invertebrates
ponds, and developing wetland and a few weeks but has created an such as dragonfly and mayfly larvae.
woodland habitats will encourage instant wetland habitat. We’ve
wildlife and nature to thrive. Trees were felled into the stream from
already spotted kingfishers
the bordering woodland, allowing light
and otter at the site, and as the into the stream for vegetation to grow
Together we can beavers extend their network of and creating habitat within the branches.
create 25,000 dams and pools, we should see This is the nature-based approach
that we hope to use across all of our
increased opportunities for
hectares of wildlife- a host of other species.’ Riverlands projects in the future.
rich habitats by 2025. Ben Eardley, Riverlands Project
Manager at Holnicote Find out more about our Riverlands project at nationaltrust.org.uk/water
Blooming again
Thanks to donations, gifts in wills
and a £100,000 award from People’s
Postcode Lottery, we purchased an
intensively farmed site on the White
Cliffs of Dover. The fields were saved
for the nation following a successful
fundraising appeal endorsed by Dame
Vera Lynn. Since the acquisition
in 2017, work has been under way
to reverse the impact of 70 years
of intensive agriculture, which had
depleted wildlife.
Two and a half years later, following
efforts to restore wildflower
meadows, nature is flourishing. The
fields are awash with insects and
birds like meadow pipit, corn bunting
and skylark.
You’re protecting A haven for wildlife
780 miles of coastline The Lincolnshire coast is a vital stopping
point along the Atlantic flyway,
providing crucial overwintering habitat
Days at the seaside or walks along Thanks to supporters like you, our for thousands of wildfowl and waders
coastal cliffs are deeply ingrained in our rangers, staff and volunteers are during their annual migration. Despite
collective memory. Yet 55 years ago, constantly managing and monitoring this, much of it is not protected.
parts of our coastline were inaccessible our ever-changing shores. They’re Early in 2020, thanks to gifts in wills and
and threatened by poorly regulated repairing footpaths, keeping beaches donations to the Coastline Campaign,
development and industrial growth. clean, protecting precious wildlife a 30-hectare site was acquired by the
habitats and making more areas Trust for £800,000, making it the first
Since 1965, our Coastline Campaign
safe and accessible to everyone. section of Lincolnshire coastline in our
has enabled us to acquire 574 miles
of glorious coastline, securing the care. With your continuing support,
beauty of these places for all to a new coastal nature reserve is to be
enjoy and for nature to flourish. created on the site. Sand dune and
It costs £40 to create wetland habitats will be restored to
Hundreds of thousands of people create a haven for birds like avocet and
have donated to our coastal appeals, and maintain 10 metres spoonbill. Coastal plants such as kidney
supported our work on the coast or of coastal path. vetch will have a chance to flourish.
left us a gift in their will, so future
generations can enjoy this beautiful,
dramatic and diverse landscape. Find out more or donate to the coast at nationaltrust.org.uk/coastline
You bring history to life …
and protect it for ever.
For a period of 2020, we had no option but to close our
houses and gardens and major conservation projects
had to be put on hold. Throughout it all, a skeleton
staff showed immense dedication, maintaining and
caring for the places and collections we all treasure.
As restrictions changed, historic places around the
country were able to open their doors to visitors
once again and, hopefully, with your support, many
vital conservation projects will be able to continue.
Saving an architectural You’re protecting
masterpiece
Berrington Hall in Herefordshire is an
500 historic houses,
example of Georgian architecture at castles, parks and gardens.
its finest, and at the heart of this neo-
classical mansion is the iconic glass
dome. Unfortunately, in recent years the
dome has showed signs of deterioration.
There were leaks at certain times
and ornate features showed evidence
of cracking, splitting and flaking.
Fun and flamboyance now entered the final phase of crucial Without intervention, this architectural
work to the Central Hall and West masterpiece could’ve been lost forever.
When we acquired Seaton Delaval Hall Wing. We’re also putting the finishing
in 2009, this architectural gem was Thankfully, the dome was saved and
touches to new visitor facilities.
crumbling. Thanks to the generosity of restored to its former glory with the
people like you, The Wolfson Foundation Your support isn’t just restoring the fabric support of The Wolfson Foundation
and an award from the National of an important building, you’re bringing and donations from supporters and
Lottery Heritage Fund, we embarked the hall’s story back to life. As the home visitors. Crucial to the conservation
on a major conservation project to of the fun-loving Delaval family, the hall work was a generous gift left in the will
look after this fine Northumberland was once famed for lavish costume balls of a former volunteer who had been a
and spectacular theatrical productions. room guide at Berrington for 20 years.
hall for future generations.
As part of The Curtain Rises project, Our shared passion for history saved
Over the past decade, we have been we’re also bringing the fun and theatrics the dome and now it will be flooding
carrying out critical building repairs to back to Seaton Delaval Hall by working the main staircase at Berrington Hall
ensure the survival of the home’s most with artists, local communities, students with light for many years to come.
iconic features. During lockdown, work and volunteers to develop ambitious
continued in the gardens and we’ve new exhibits, events and experiences. Find out more or donate to buildings at nationaltrust.org.uk/building-conservation
Life during lockdown at Upton House
Upton House in Warwickshire was the
1930s country retreat of Lord and Lady
Bearsted. Built in the 17th century, the
mansion is celebrated for its dramatic
terraced gardens and world-renowned
art collection. Here, Collections and
House Officer, Jessica Bentley, shares
her experiences of working and
living at Upton House during the first
coronavirus lockdown.
Upton House is more than my place
Eerily quiet
of work – it’s my home. I usually work
with four assistants alongside me There are usually around 25 staff on site,
and together we carry out a range but during lockdown we only had a skeleton
of conservation duties. With such an staff of seven, so it was eerily quiet. It really Averting disaster
internationally significant art collection, hit me on Good Friday. On what should’ve
In early summer, we removed some
we’re constantly monitoring the heating been one of the busiest days of the year, our
paintings for essential electrical work
and levels of humidity. We are always fantastic house was deserted. It was such a
and to our surprise discovered moth
on the lookout for pests like woodworm surreal experience.
cocoons behind them. Thankfully,
and moths too. There were many things we had to do we found them before they damaged Garden therapy
differently during lockdown to help protect any precious works of art.
I got to experience a different side
the house. One sad but necessary job was
A few weeks later in August, I had a shock of Upton House during lockdown by
to cover the furniture and close the shutters
when I stepped into the basement to supporting our amazing head gardener,
while the house was closed to visitors. It really
discover it was flooded. After a torrential Heather Aston, who has been a member
did look and feel very different.
downpour, a drain had become blocked of our team for 20 years. Working in
Life became a little more predictable during and rainwater had overflowed into the gardens was very therapeutic and
lockdown. My daily routine was still focused the basement. We spent the morning such a change from the usual whirlwind
on conserving our historic collections, taking the water out in buckets and of organisation, problem solving and
which included humidity monitoring and mopping up. Thankfully, we don’t store paperwork inside the house. I knew
Another of my responsibilities is pest prevention. anything precious in there. However, our volunteers were missing being
cataloguing the collections and making another few inches and the water here, so I also took a lot of photos
Our team of staff and volunteers keep the
sure records are accurate and up to would’ve come through the door and for the online volunteer newsletter
house spotless, but without them the need
date. I also manage our wonderful team onto the original parquet flooring. to help them feel connected to us.
to check for pests became even more critical.
of 170 volunteers, making sure they have I’ve been with the National Trust for five years, Generally speaking though, daily Upton is a house that needs people,
everything they need to get the house so you get to know what to look out for. For life was less frenetic, which freed up so it was wonderful when we
ready so that our visitors have a great example, woodworm will leave a tiny amount vital time for cataloguing and making could welcome our volunteers and
experience. No day is ever the same and of residue from what they’ve been eating, which sure the records we have for items of visitors back. It was great to have an
there’s never a dull moment. is a good indicator of an emerging problem. furniture are accurate and up to date. atmosphere back in the house again.
A special ‘thank you’ Josh Jenner donated £50
Everyone needs
We’re thankful to everyone who
and dedicated 10 trees in
celebration of his and his wife’s
nature, beauty and
history this year
has supported our work during
fifth (wood!) anniversary.
these turbulent times.
Here are just a few of the people, After a year of uncertainty, it’s more important than
groups and organisations who ever for everyone to have access to beautiful places,
have been making a difference to historical stories and green spaces to find a sense
nature, beauty and history. Zohir Uddin ran or walked 125km of calm. It’s not just about big adventures in the
at places we look after throughout great outdoors, it’s about taking time to notice and
September 2020 to celebrate our appreciate nature, whether that’s watching a sunset,
125th year and to support the listening to birdsong or taking a photo of a bee or a
Trust’s recovery from the pandemic. butterfly in your own garden. Simple moments like
Elaine Taylor has completed 25 these can reduce anxiety and make us feel happier.
swims in the Lake District lakes The world has changed and we have had to adapt
to support Everyone Needs to the complications that come with keeping
Nature. She’s been posting places open safely. This year we will continue to
regular updates of her swims and do everything we can to make places accessible
M&S Sparks Card customers who
has raised nearly £400 so far. to all, as well as finding ways for you to have the
chose the National Trust as their
charity are donating 1p every time rich experiences that only nature can provide.
they make a transaction and scan
In 2020 we launched #BlossomWatch and once
their Sparks Card.
again we will be encouraging people to share their
pictures of blossom on social media. We will be
Jennifer Howells sent £40 and wrote providing opportunities – at our places and beyond
to say: ‘As I am not spending while in – for people to enjoy this incredible natural wonder
lockdown, I am sending some money. and to connect with nature and one another.
I know it will only be a drop in the CJ Wildlife make an annual We are also working with partners on our own land
ocean for you, but if many people do contribution to the National Trust and and in communities to plant circles of flowering
the same it will help.’ this year they have generously given blossom trees across the nation for everyone
£55,000 to the Woodlands project. to enjoy. The Blossom Together initiative is all
about creating beautiful, peaceful spaces where
communities can come together and spend
time in nature – and there’s nothing quite like
East Yorkshire Association blossom against a blue sky to lift the spirits.
made a £500 donation National Lottery Heritage Fund
to Fountains Abbey. The awarded the National Trust a grant of Connect with nature together
association donated funds just under £1m. This grant supported 56
that would have been spent Join in with this year’s #BlossomWatch and share
properties to open up safely to visitors
on day trips and meetings, your own photos of beautiful blossom near you on
at a time when people needed our places
which had to be cancelled due social media. You can also enjoy blossom-inspired
more than ever. It provided crucial
to the pandemic. events, walks and activities this spring. For more
funding towards cleaning and PPE.
information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/blossom
If you’d like to receive this information in an alternative
format, please call us on 0344 800 1895 quoting DM110.
Or you can email enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk
© National Trust 2021. The National Trust is a registered charity no. 205846
President: HRH The Prince of Wales. Chairman: Tim Parker.
Deputy Chairman: Orna NiChionna. Director-General: Hilary McGrady.
© National Trust Images/John Miller/Joe Cornish/David Sellman/Joshua Day/
Mark Johnson/Mike Symes & Devon Wildlife Trust/Chris Lacey/Rob Coleman/ Emily Long/
Ben Selway/Matt Hayward/Solent News and Photography Agency/Mark Gurney/
Faye Rason/Paul Barker/Derw Thomas/Nadia Mackenzie/David Levenson
Telephone: 0344 800 1895
nationaltrust.org.uk
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