Think I'm going to Join the National Trust

[Jim]

I'm sure I was a member for a year, 40 years ago. But I believe I will join again. The reason. Less than a mile from me there was an old-disused golf course adjacent to the beach, must be about 100 acres,. I dreaded it might become a caravan park, but the NT bought it. Prior to their purchase I walked the golf course most days, and still have done, even though this year it has become a fenced off NT building site. I sneak in there long before they start work so I've not been turfed out.

This has let me see the work they are doing, which is first class. They are developing the whole area as a nature reserve/wetland, but it is crisscrossed with metalled paths and loads of wooded decks and pathways that cross the water as well as shelters, they are installing plenty of picnic and rest areas, some of these float! Everything appears to be being built with Oak, so it's going to be around for a long time. When they open, and they flood the areas they have excavated, it will become an absolute must-visit place for anyone touring the UK.

I've heard they became a bit woke and were losing members, However, that I will be able to wander in this stunning area they are creating most days means I think the membership will be well spent.

Work begins on creating £7.3m Sandlilands wildlife haven

The golf course near Sutton-on-Sea is being transformed for migratory birds to return to the area.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Googlebot]

We have got our money back with what we have used our membership for, I think they do an amazing job.

The woke thing is IMHO nonsense invented by people who profit from outrage.

Off to one of the beaches they manage this week. Massive dedicated motorhome bays, toilets and taps, rangers and spotless.

 

[Jim]

We have got our money back with what we have used our membership for, I think they do an amazing job.

The woke thing is IMHO nonsense invented by people who profit from outrage.

Off to one of the beaches they manage this week. Massive dedicated motorhome bays, toilets and taps, rangers and spotless.

Can you take a look at this post. Cheers

 

[Hedgewitch]

Sounds lovely. I get my money's worth from the membership just in car parking, but Sandilands sounds great.

When the NT do what they were meant to do they can be superb; although I struggle with the PC attitudes and 'wokeness' (?) they display in some places, I rationalise that we are probably better off with them than without them, and less than £5 each month for the m/ship is a very small charity donation.

 

[Janine]

I have been a member for many years and now pay about a fiver a month.

I love the fact that there is nearly always good access and parking for the van plus a cafe and dog walks when I am off on my travels.

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[K R B]

If you join the Scottish NT it's a lot cheaper

 

[Jim]

If you join the Scottish NT it's a lot cheaper

Never been to Scotland, am I missing much?

 

[meanders]

We too have been in since the kids were young. We were at Flatford Mill Saturday. Tea shop is always busy.

 

[Debs]

If you join the Scottish NT it's a lot cheaper

We have as well as they have a reciprocal arrangement with England Jim

 

[Googlebot]

Can you take a look at this post. Cheers

Done.

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[15edward]

Bought life membership as wedding present fir daughter and son-in-law 20 years ago
Just last week fulsome thanks “ best present ever”

 

[Dart]

If you join the Scottish NT it's a lot cheaper

True, but that is directly supporting Scotland's NT rather than the English one that is carrying out the work that impressed Jim.

 

[mikebeaches]

As somebody already mentioned in the thread, the NT generally make good provision for motorhome parking where they can.

Pics taken at Knoll Beach Car Park, Studland Bay, Dorset.

 

[carolyn]

Just think , in 3 years you’ll be able to get the old crumblies discount of 25% off. It has to be 3 consecutive years of membership. Happy days.

 

[bobnick]

Sounds like it's going to be a bit like my back garden

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[B+W vanman]

Sounds like it's going to be a bit like my back garden

So are you “woke” too?

 

[bobnick]

So are you “woke” too?

completely the opposite

 

[Baggydave]

Just think , in 3 years you’ll be able to get the old crumblies discount of 25% off. It has to be 3 consecutive years of membership. Happy days.

Not for Scottish national trust it isn’t. We got the discount first year of joining.

 

[pappajohn]

Never been to Scotland, am I missing much?

Nah!
All the blokes wear checked skirts, chase a creature call haggis, have a problem saying "lake" and drink a strange liquid called 'iron brew'.
Haggis have evolved with one leg longer than the other to make them suitable for running around mountains and making them hard to catch.

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

As somebody already mentioned in the thread, the NT generally make good provision for motorhome parking where they can.

Pics taken at Knoll Beach Car Park, Studland Bay, Dorset.

View attachment 1046410

View attachment 1046412

I never understand why people drive inwards. Much easier to leave if the space was reversed into.
Same with supermarket car parks and regardless of vehicle type.

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[K R B]

Been to Scotland twice Jim loved it will go again after we have finished updating the house

 

[cliffanger]

If you join the Scottish NT it's a lot cheaper

We joined the Scottish one too.

The New Zealand one was even cheaper, but I couldn’t perfect the accent!

 

[Wildbill]

Never been to Scotland, am I missing much?

You will never know till you go Jim
WB

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

Have they really gone 'all woke'? Or have those alleging it moved their own position?

I've not much time for those at the helm of NT due to demonstrated over-zealousness in pursuing their remit.
That said; I haven't noticed anything woke that affects any of the times I have visited NT in the past few years.

Now, if we get onto sandwiches etc, I'll have a lot more to say!!

 

[mikebeaches]

I never understand why people drive inwards. Much easier to leave if the space was reversed into.
Same with supermarket car parks and regardless of vehicle type.

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[westhamman]

I hope when complete it would be a free to visit trust attraction. I've stayed at a couple of trust campsites and although nightly fees are expensive entry to properties is included.

 

[Jim]

I hope when complete it would be a free to visit trust attraction. I've stayed at a couple of trust campsites and although nightly fees are expensive entry to properties is included.

Yes it will be completely free, member or otherwise

 

[mikebeaches]

I never understand why people drive inwards. Much easier to leave if the space was reversed into.
Same with supermarket car parks and regardless of vehicle type.

I agree. However, if you look closely at the second photo, there is a yellow NT sign which instructs - "Park nose in only". So, for whatever reason (?) it is the Trust that has requested how vans should be positioned.

 

[StephenW]

We’ve been thinking of joining for years and finally took the plunge last week. We were at Housesteads Roman Fort near Haltwhistle and they had a 25% discount on annual membership.

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

I agree. However, if you look closely at the second photo, there is a yellow NT sign which instructs - "Park nose in only". So, for whatever reason (?) it is the Trust that has requested how vans should be positioned.

(Acknowledging your agreement)

I shall look into that specifically when I am next there.
I think it is unreasonable and the only other place I have seen such an instruction, was California.

It's not law so I shan't obey blindly. Instead I shall use my own judgement, training and experience.
If they challenge me I shall explain and (try to) persuade.
There are more bumps caused by driving in or reversing out of spaces than if done properly.

Reasoning:
1. When entering a space, it's a defined area with nothing in it. Pedestrians may cross in the way but that requires looking/monitoring two specific areas, each side of the space, between the vehicle and the space.
1a. Reversing in requires no more or less effort than if driving in.

2. When leaving a space that was driven into, the driver needs to check all around the rear, for cars and pedestrians, with his neck craned. Through rear-side windows if he has them and using mirrors/cameras too. Much more to look at with more difficulty than if having reversed in.

3. When leaving a space that has been reversed into, the driver can see each way, much sooner, before he has stuck his vehicle out before he can see whether it's clear.

All things considered; he can leave with greater safety than if reversing out, which must be considered before erecting such stupid signs as that one. When I say 'he'; by default, I include the ladies because they are as much part of 'mankind' as anyone else.

Perhaps interesting to note:
When I have explained it and sometimes shown what I mean, to women of a variety of ages, they do indeed find it easier and change their parking practice. Very different response from guys, some who remain convinced they know best.

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