FROM YOU
Your letters and pictures
Celebrating 100 years
My mother, Joan Tait, turned 100 years old last year and has been a loyal National Trust member for longer than I can remember. In May, the team at Attingham in Shropshire – her favourite place! – invited her there to celebrate with lovely tea and cakes and a tour of their ‘Imagining India’ exhibition (on until October).
Mum has five daughters and one of the constants throughout our childhood was being ‘dragged around’ National Trust properties. Thanks to her, we all developed a deep appreciation for the Trust and the importance of preserving these beautiful places and their history for future generations.
Mum loves Christmas and one of our treasured family traditions is visiting Attingham each year to see the Christmas trees. It has become a very special part of our family celebrations over the years.
She still lives independently and remains active, and her National Trust visits are something she truly cherishes. She continues to take great pleasure in visiting and walking around the beautiful properties.
Thank you for everything you do to preserve such special places, which mean so much to members like my mother.
Debby Lovell, Shropshire
997510
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A slow walk at Kedleston
We visited Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire on a bright September morning. After visiting the café and pleasure gardens, we intended to go around the site on the Long Walk. We ended up only taking the Short Walk as we stopped every couple of minutes to look at one of the 20 varieties of fungi we found on the felled trees next to the path. We have never seen such a display! Oyster, inkcap (pictured), honey, porcelain, stinkhorns and puffballs to name a few.
Tom Brierley, Nottinghamshire
Mountain triking
This is my elder brother Neal at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, last year. It was by pure good fortune that we turned up when the Time Team production unit was carrying out a dig and filming live. We were so close to Sir Tony Robinson! Our memorable afternoon out was only possible thanks to the generosity of the National Trust in lending Neal an all-terrain Mountain Trike, enabling me to push him wherever he wanted to explore.
So thank you National Trust … time spent with my big brother is very precious.
Catherine Daymond-John, Buckinghamshire
Won over by change
My husband and I had never considered joining the Trust, but when we moved to Pembrokeshire six years ago, there were many Trust car parks near the coast paths where we love to walk. Reluctantly, we joined so that we could use the car parks – and have been so glad we did. We had no idea what a broad range of support you offer, from peat restoration to crucial advice on gardening and working with climate change.
I shall now be taking a much more active interest in the positive change that you are creating in all that you do.
Marian Logie, Pembrokeshire
Stitches in time
I produced this artwork in my sewing class. I have tried to incorporate as much of Belton Estate’s history as possible. The first section is based on the house in the 1680s, including a horse and carriage. The middle section reflects the estate’s use during the First and Second World Wars. The final section is based on Belton when it was saved by the Trust in the 1980s. I’ve included an adventure playground as I believe Belton has the largest one in the Trust, and here the trees are fully grown.
Vicky Roberts, Bedfordshire
Inspired by a preloved book
I was inspired to write to you after reading your latest magazine. I too enjoy a browse in your second-hand bookshops. Earlier this year I visited Corfe Castle in Dorset and in the visitor centre I found a craft book with a great idea that I could use to paint an old box which needed a revamp. I was delighted with the result (above).
Carol Cox, Dorset
Share your coastal highlights?
Following the opening of the King Charles III England Coast Path earlier this year, we’d like to hear your memories of your special times enjoying the UK’s coast paths. If you have a story or image you’d like to share, please write to us at [email protected] or the address below. Please include your contact details and we’ll be in touch if we can feature your story.
YOUR PICTURES
Favourite moments from your days out
Hover over each image to find out more
Starburst over Owler Tor
A river of purple at Owler Tor in the Peak District.
Steven Hewitt, Derbyshire
Beautiful Brownsea resident
It was wonderful not only to see but manage to photograph a red squirrel on Brownsea Island!
Peter Burrill, Chesterfield
Volunteer Ranger Clumber Park, Notts
Penrhyn splashed with red
The vibrant Virginia creeper growing up Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd.
Chris Jones, Isle of Anglesey
Getting into character
We had a great day out at Lyme, Cheshire. You’re never too old to dress up and be a bit silly.
Andy and Paula Morton, Cheshire
A beloved old oak
Our grandchildren love climbing this oak at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire. It’s a must-do stop after the story-book play den, and has my favourite view
in the distance.
Lynda McGuire, Buckinghamshire
A double celebration
My friend Sarah and I celebrated our birthdays last year by making Christmas wreaths in the greenhouse at Croft Castle, Herefordshire.
Anne, London
Scooting around
I broke my ankle in an accident last year, but thankfully I was able to hire a mobility scooter from the very helpful staff at Kingston Lacy, Dorset, to get around the beautiful grounds.
Lisa Harvey, Dorset
Seeing Gibson in a rosy light
I took this picture of Gibson Mill at Hardcastle Crags, West Yorkshire, on a gorgeous early-morning September walk.
Cheryl Doran, Greater Manchester
best makes
Thank you for sending in your wonderful bee hotels and butterfly pictures from last issue’s Children’s zone. We loved seeing them. Here are some of our favourites.
Callum, age 4
Miriam, age 4
Jennifer, age 7
Lily, age 6
Maya, age 3
Willow, age 8 and
Ivy, age 5
Ben, age 9
How to get in touch
We welcome your letters and read every one. We’ll assume you intend us to consider your letter for publication unless you state otherwise. We reserve the right to edit and condense the letters we print. We store all correspondence securely for 24 months from date of receipt and then delete it or dispose of it securely. We promise not to share your details outside the Trust.
By post
The Editor, National Trust Magazine, Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 2NA
By email
Get involved on social media
National Trust/Jayne Gough
Contact us
General enquiries, including changing membership details:
0344 800 1895
Supporter Service Centre, National Trust, PO Box 7083, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 1XE
Leaving a lasting gift
Gifts in wills are vital to help us care for the places you love, from beautiful landscapes and coastline to historic properties. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a lasting difference in helping look after nature, beauty and history for future generations to enjoy.
Find out how to write or update your will using our free guide.
For everyone, for ever
