National Trust membership grows to more than four million people
Last updated 11/8/2011 10:45:25 AM
National Trust membership grows to more than four million people
Membership of the National Trust has grown to over four million people for the first time in its history.
The support they give helps the organisation look after more than 300 historic houses, 250,000 hectares of land and 700 miles of coastline. This gives access to places for more than 90 million visitors each year – 17 million to houses and gardens and around 75 million to coast and countryside.
Fiona Reynolds, Director General said: "Four million members is a powerful indication that our mission to look after special places for ever, for everyone remains as relevant today as it was in 1895."
Such as Colleen O'Keefe and four-year-old daughter Roisin, who visited Dinefwr Park and Castle last weekend: "We joined as members at Dinefwr in August last year. We enjoy the history and the walks. We like nature and being out and about. It is nice to see new things. People join us for many reasons – a love of their local place, a passion for beauty, for heritage and fine art, for surfing and cycling, or simply the joy of family time together. What all our members have in common, though, is a love of beautiful and historic places. It's encouraging to see that people's love of places and the simple pleasures they bring remains as strong, if not stronger, in hard economic times as it does in the boom years."
In 1895, when the Trust was founded, there were 100 members, paying an annual subscription of 10s; life membership cost £20, and honorary membership was given to those who donated £100 or more.
Last financial year membership provided £120m which was ploughed back into thousands of conservation projects throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.