Think I'm going to Join the National Trust

[Millcourt]

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.

Possibly women driving. How many times have you seen them struggle to get the supermarket trolley between vehicles to offload into the boot/hatchback!

Way back in the 1960’s when I worked for a year or so as a Driving Instructor, the proprietor of the School insisted we taught folk to drive forward into small places and reverse into larger spaces. Never sure this was always the best advice, but I suspect he thought this would minimise the risk of vehicle damage.

Incidentally, in many States in the US where it is normal for cars to only have a rear number plate, it is not legal to reverse into a row of parked cars. I was told this is to enable Police Patrol cars to see all of the number plates when driving around. Not 100% sure this is the reason I was told this.

 

[eddie]

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

That defeats the object of supporting the National Trust

May as well reuse “Poppies”

 

[dunnah01]

We go to NT properties two or three times a year when they have free family pass tickets in the newspapers. I even had to buy a copy of the Daily Express once to get a ticket because it was the only loo paper left..

 

[The Wino]

(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.

On the last bit do you really think women really pay much notice or just decide it's easier to let you explain and nod as if they're listening!

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

On the last bit do you really think women really pay much notice or just decide it's easier to let you explain and nod as if they're listening!

They asked me to explain it.

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[K R B]

I am supporting the national trust eddie, it just the Scottish government subsidise them in scotland.

 

[Beltie]

Nope. They asked me how I made it look so easy. So I explained and showed. Nothing more than that. I've no obsession with how others drive/park.

If it would have helped some who may find reverse parking difficult (or more difficult than driving in), I might have explained and drawn diagrams. I shan't.

As Minxy said 'condescending'. Incidentally the 'like' was an error!

 

[dunnah01]

They asked me to MANsplain it.

Edited for you

 

[B+W vanman]

Mrs KNWH and I have been members of English Heritage and The National Trust for many years. We didn’t even visit properties at first; we just wanted to support the work they do.
Since we now visit places in both England and Scotland I decided a few years ago to switch to The National Trust for Scotland as that seemed fairer.
At one National Trust property I handed over my Scottish card and the woman scowled at it and proclaimed ‘Oh, that scam’ inferring I’d only got one the save money.
I could have pointed out that it would have been cheaper for us to just have joint membership of the National Trust, but I ignored her. Wish now I hadn’t.

More anti Welsh behaviour!

 

[Jim]

Incidentally the 'like' was an error!

If you accidentally like a post. If you 'like' it again, the like is removed.

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[15edward]

Possibly women driving. How many times have you seen them struggle to get the supermarket trolley between vehicles to offload into the boot/hatchback!

They’re either left to do the thinking planning and shopping by themselves while menfolk at home lazing with beers and telly
Or blokes are sitting in theirs cars waiting and watching

Sexism can work both ways

 

[Langtoftlad]

At one National Trust property I handed over my Scottish card and the woman scowled at it and proclaimed ‘Oh, that scam’ inferring I’d only got one the save money.

I've variously had Bahamas, New Zealand and now Malta National Trust memberships* and have always been welcomed... some of the volunteers seem to see it as a 'success' to register a foreign card.
AFAIK and have been told, each property gets revenue based on the total number of visitors registered, not the nationality of the registration.

*for the lower pricing of course .

 

[B+W vanman]

I've variously had Bahamas, New Zealand and now Malta National Trust memberships* and have always been welcomed... some of the volunteers seem to see it as a 'success' to register a foreign card.
AFAIK and have been told, each property gets revenue based on the total number of visitors registered, not the nationality of the registration.

*for the lower pricing of course .

Where do you think the property revenue comes from? There are NO reciprocal financial arrangements between any of the Trust organisations!

 

[Tonks]

Mrs KNWH and I have been members of English Heritage and The National Trust for many years. We didn’t even visit properties at first; we just wanted to support the work they do.

I've been a member for a long time too, and largely for the same reason - I wanted to support the upkeep of properties important to our heritage. I like the fact that there are places of interest nearby on many of my trips. I also like the fact that as a member I can just pop in for an hour's stroll around one of the NT's very beautiful gardens, or even just for a cuppa and a piece of usually very tasty cake in the cafes. Whereas if I were paying my entry fee for each property I'd feel like I must be there all day to 'get my money's worth'.
My NT membership has also saved me lots of parking fees.

Jim's comment about the cost of the work being done at just the one site he's close to makes you realise the enormous cost of restoring/maintaining these precious places. So when people say 'I hope it will be free to access', I hope they will also realise that it costs a lot of money to enable people to have free access to a lot of the NT open areas. My closest NT property is woodland, where there was much moaning two years ago when a £3 parking charge was introduced. I should think that barely scrapes the top of the work which has been done to improve the car park, maintain the woodlands, and to try to protect the bluebells. Where, despite edging logs being placed along paths in the main bluebell area, and signs at various levels explaining that it takes seven YEARS for bluebell plants to recover from being trampled so 'please don't walk across the bluebells' (there are wide and well maintained paths through and round the flowers), and also signs saying dogs must be kept on leads, people STILL seem to think their kids somehow don't damage the foliage as they run through the flowers so their parents can get that FB/IG picture, and so many people with dogs seem incapable of ever doing as they are asked...

May as well reuse “Poppies”

I do reuse poppies. Mainly because I have a collection of crochet, enamel and fabric ones. But I also still put money in the tins every year, and make other contributions.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Where do you think the property revenue comes from?

Not that I really care, as every property I've visited seems to have had plenty of money to build new anachronistic visitor centres, and revenue generating gift shops and cafés selling overpriced & poor quality food.

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[hja]

The new sandilands reserve is, I believe, part of a large reserve/protected area from the south bank of the Humber down to the wash. A number of other organisations are involved including the Lincs Wildlife Trust

 

[B+W vanman]

Not that I really care, as every property I've visited seems to have had plenty of money to build new anachronistic visitor centres, and revenue generating gift shops and cafés selling overpriced & poor quality food.

​

I’m sure you don’t care whether or not parts of our national history and heritage are conserved and preserved for future generations, either.

 

[K R B]

I see you are a life member eddie, did you do that to save money

 

[Jim]

I see you are a life member eddie, did you do that to save money

No, Eddie was awarded life membership for saving Funsters a lot of money

 

[K R B]

Thanks for that Jim
Perhaps I owe eddie a apology

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[The Wino]

There’s a pair of Blackamoor side tables at Dyrham Park with an explanation as to their origin and how they came to be owned by the Blathwaytes, but I wouldn’t say there was anything ‘woke’ in the description.
View attachment 1046497

Saying that I think there’s a warning that there are things in the house indicative of the link to the slave trade.

Is it woke to warn about things linked to the slave trade or just thoughtful for people who's predecessors were affected?

 

[Janine]

Is it woke to warn about things linked to the slave trade or just thoughtful for people who's predecessors were affected?

In my opinion, there were lots of our ancestors who were abused by rich land owners in this country too, forced to live in squalid conditions and paid a pittance in tokens which could only be redeemed in the company shop.

 

[eddie]

Is it woke to warn about things linked to the slave trade or just thoughtful for people who's predecessors were affected?

Which slave trade? the Vikings or the Moors raiding the South Coast of England in the 17th Century for the Barbary Slave markets?

Or do you mean the other one which woke people keep on about?

Did you know that most Icelandic women speak English with a Irish "lilt" That was due to the number of Irish women that were taken as slaves to sell to the Nordic people that lived on Iceland

 

[The Wino]

In my opinion, there were lots of our ancestors who were abused by rich land owners in this country too, forced to live in squalid conditions and paid a pittance in tokens which could only be redeemed in the company shop.

Totally agree and that should be explained as well and highlighted. We went to a mill in Scotland recently the owners were evidently ahead of the times because they provided housing for the workers two rooms for a family of probably 7 or 8 and kids working from the age of 8 or 9 under dangerous conditions.

 

[Mark and Mindy]

We have joint annual membership and although don't use the NT as much as we could there's a NT place up the road from us in Waddesdon with a lovely free car park. Its open Weds-Sun most of the time and is great for me to drive the 10 mins to park and have a decent walk - I prefer hard surfaces to mucky fields and there's a dearth of anywhere else near us which doesn't involve the HS2 road closures/diversions.
Although the car park is free I've been challenged by Security as there's been a few incidents of people parking and then finding a way into the garden. Admission to both house and garden is free for NT members. I walk in the wider estate.

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[cliffanger]

Is it woke to warn about things linked to the slave trade or just thoughtful for people who's predecessors were affected?

I have no strong opinion either way. I was just saying what was displayed.

 

[robnchris]

Not that I really care, as every property I've visited seems to have had plenty of money to build new anachronistic visitor centres, and revenue generating gift shops and cafés selling overpriced & poor quality food.

​

Have to say in all the properties we have been to and that is a large number of them we have never been sold overpriced and poor quality food, in fact quite the opposite.

 

[Beltie]

If you accidentally like a post. If you 'like' it again, the like is removed.

Thanks Jim.

 

[The Wino]

Not that I really care, as every property I've visited seems to have had plenty of money to build new anachronistic visitor centres, and revenue generating gift shops and cafés selling overpriced & poor quality food.

​

What would you say is an an anachronistic visitor centre?

 

[meanders]

While not the cheapest by a long way, we have always found the food excellent quality.

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