The National Trust’s slogan “For ever, for everyone” has a somewhat hollow ring in view of its proposal to outsource its education programme (National Trust sacking education officers ‘will hit worst-off children’, 29 August).
For the last six years, I have volunteered with the learning team at a local property, with one (underpaid) member of staff, who has worked incredibly hard to plan and deliver an appropriate programme of activities, supported by a large team of experienced volunteers, mainly retired teachers.
It is difficult to see how an outside organisation could match this, in cost, manpower or expertise, so it is likely that far fewer children will have the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful house and its environment.
The National Trust is essentially a middle-class organisation: many of the children who come with a school party have never visited the house before – and they are often the most enthusiastic! Children are our future and any organisation like the trust needs to remember that.
Throughout my time as a volunteer, I have continued to pay for membership, thinking I was supporting a worthwhile charity. If the National Trust actually implements this divisive policy, I shall be tempted to cancel my subscription (after decades of membership) and anyone else who objects might like to do the same.
Alison Miall
Tonbridge, Kent
• Your report on the National Trust sacking its education officers, together with the protest at Sheringham Park, only addresses part of the issue. Norfolk county council is proposing to do exactly the same just down the road at Holt Hall Residential Field Study Centre, and also sell off the 75-acre property purely for financial reasons.
This is not unique to Norfolk; it is a developing trend around the UK. On the front page of the same issue you report the Children’s Commissioner for England saying the country needs a “Nightingale moment”(Report, 28 August), calling for mental health support for children.
If nothing else, the government could give immediate financial support to organisations such as the National Trust and Norfolk county council to continue their invaluable work in outdoor learning and education, and to make a serious contribution to that “Nightingale moment”.
Mike Marshall
Barney, Norfolk
