Nature. Beauty. History.

Your supporter update 2021

Thank you

2020 didn’t turn out to be the year any of us had expected, or hoped for. We and our members had been looking forward to a celebratory year, marking our 125th anniversary. Instead, we faced one of the biggest challenges in our history. Unfortunately, many properties were forced to temporarily close and conservation projects had to be paused.

Our belief that everyone needs nature has always been strong, yet no-one could’ve predicted how important the natural world would be to everyone, as the year unfolded.

Nature has been there for us when we’ve needed it most, and with the help of supporters like you, our teams and volunteers have been working hard to protect our nation’s unique wildlife, landscapes and incredible heritage.

Although we had to pause many of our projects, your support meant we were still able to create more wildflower meadows, replenish tranquil woodland, encourage wildlife to thrive and bring rich histories back to life.

Our work is more important than ever, and there is such a lot we can achieve together in 2021. Pressing on with our pledge to address the twin crises in climate and nature by planting 20 million trees over the next 10 years is just one of the ways that, together, we are making a difference.

We share a love for nature, beauty and history, and on behalf of everyone at the National Trust, I want to thank you for your continued support.

Hilary McGrady Director-General

Everyone needs tranquil places they can escape to. For many of us that means spending time beneath a calming canopy of trees.

Trees provide homes for wildlife, reduce flooding and clean the air we breathe. Today, however, the UK is the least wooded country in Europe.

Together we’re reviving woodlandWith your support we are determined to replenish woodland habitats, which will establish more places where nature can thrive and create healthy landscapes that will be more resilient to climate change. At the start of 2020 we made a pledge to plant 20 million trees over the next 10 years – and we are still committed to this ambition, despite the impacts of coronavirus.

‘There are great benefits to gain from tree planting. We can extend important habitats and make them better for wildlife, while helping to tackle climate

change. Besides all of this, trees create a wonderful oasis

to escape to.’Catherine Wright,

National Trust Ranger

Re-creating NorthwoodNorthwood in West Sussex was once a vast area of woodland, but much of it was felled during the world wars and then farmed until 2013. Today, only small pockets of disconnected woodland remain.

Seventy-five hectares of land at Northwood is being turned back to woodland thanks to people like you – and a gift left to us in the will of a kind supporter. Over 13,000 trees have already been planted by volunteers, local schools and community groups, providing a haven for both wildlife and people.

The Big Tree PlantYour support is making a difference in North Devon too, where 125,000 trees will be planted in the next five years. These trees will help combat climate change by capturing and storing carbon. What’s more, expanding the internationally important Atlantic rainforests along the North Devon coast will improve habitat for wildlife.

In February 2020, the North Devon team held the Big Tree Plant to kickstart the planting. Supporters, volunteers and National Trust staff planted a mix of oak, birch, sycamore, hazel, hawthorn, willow and various fruiting trees. 20 million

trees in 10 years.

You’re creating more tranquillity … and helping to save the planet too.

If you’ve lost a loved one, dedicating a tree in their memory is a unique way for their story to live on. Your dedication will also support our ambition to plant 20 million trees in the next 10 years, with your memories at the heart of our woodlands. This winter, your donations will help us to plant 13,000 tree saplings.

Dedicate a tree to someone special

Would you like to dedicate a tree to someone special? For more details visit nationaltrust.org.uk/dedicate-a-tree

Rivers are the lifeblood of our landscapes. However, many of our rivers are under threat and freshwater wildlife is in trouble. Human interference and pollution have damaged our waterways. Thanks to funders and players of People’s Postcode Lottery, we’re working hard to turn the tide.

We are working with the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales on the Riverlands project to return more rivers and catchments to a healthy state, with clean water teeming with wildlife. This year, we need your continued support to slow the flow of more rivers by introducing woody dams and to remove unnecessary weirs or structures to allow rivers to regain some of their natural complexity. Creating wildlife buffer zones on riverbanks, building ponds, and developing wetland and woodland habitats will encourage wildlife and nature to thrive.

Busy beaversBeavers were once an important part of our ecosystem, but they were eradicated in the UK in the 16th century due to hunting. Your support has made it possible to reintroduce beavers at our Riverlands project site at Holnicote, Exmoor and at Valewood in the South Downs – and they’ve certainly been busy!

Just nine months after being introduced to slow the flow of water through the landscape and improve river quality and biodiversity, these industrious creatures have created what is thought to be the first beaver dam on Exmoor for over 400 years. As we face the effects of climate change and more frequent extreme weather events, restoring natural processes needs to be part of the solution.

Reviving the River SkellThe Skell Valley in North Yorkshire sits in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its striking and distinctive landscape is made up of rugged moorland, agricultural land and the World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.

However, the Skell Valley’s cultural and natural heritage is under threat from flooding, siltation and neglect. In early 2020 we launched an appeal and asked supporters like you to help shape the future of this unique landscape.

Over the next four years we plan to slow the flow of water along the River Skell and create better habitats for wildlife by reducing the amount of soil erosion and run-off into the river. With support from you and The Royal Oak Foundation, we plan to uncover and restore heritage features surrounding the river, as well as improving accessibility so that more people can enjoy what the Skell Valley has to offer.

‘The dam has only been here a few weeks but has created an instant wetland habitat. We’ve

already spotted kingfishers and otter at the site, and as the beavers extend their network of dams and pools, we should see

increased opportunities for a host of other species.’Ben Eardley, Riverlands Project

Manager at Holnicote

Together we can create 25,000

hectares of wildlife-rich habitats by 2025.

Rivers are starting to flow with life again … thanks to you.

Creating habitatThe River Bure flows into the internationally important Norfolk Broads, which is Britain’s largest designated wetland and a haven for wildlife. In March 2020, in an initial phase of river restoration, we restored 900m of a small tributary of the river, increasing the available habitat for fish and invertebrates such as dragonfly and mayfly larvae.

Trees were felled into the stream from the bordering woodland, allowing light into the stream for vegetation to grow and creating habitat within the branches. This is the nature-based approach that we hope to use across all of our Riverlands projects in the future.

Find out more about our Riverlands project at nationaltrust.org.uk/water

Blooming againThanks to donations, gifts in wills and a £100,000 award from People’s Postcode Lottery, we purchased an intensively farmed site on the White Cliffs of Dover. The fields were saved for the nation following a successful fundraising appeal endorsed by Dame Vera Lynn. Since the acquisition in 2017, work has been under way to reverse the impact of 70 years of intensive agriculture, which had depleted wildlife.

Two and a half years later, following efforts to restore wildflower meadows, nature is flourishing. The fields are awash with insects and birds like meadow pipit, corn bunting and skylark.

A haven for wildlifeThe Lincolnshire coast is a vital stopping point along the Atlantic flyway, providing crucial overwintering habitat for thousands of wildfowl and waders during their annual migration. Despite this, much of it is not protected.

Early in 2020, thanks to gifts in wills and donations to the Coastline Campaign, a 30-hectare site was acquired by the Trust for £800,000, making it the first section of Lincolnshire coastline in our care. With your continuing support, a new coastal nature reserve is to be created on the site. Sand dune and wetland habitats will be restored to create a haven for birds like avocet and spoonbill. Coastal plants such as kidney vetch will have a chance to flourish.

Days at the seaside or walks along coastal cliffs are deeply ingrained in our collective memory. Yet 55 years ago, parts of our coastline were inaccessible and threatened by poorly regulated development and industrial growth.

Since 1965, our Coastline Campaign has enabled us to acquire 574 miles of glorious coastline, securing the beauty of these places for all to enjoy and for nature to flourish.

Hundreds of thousands of people have donated to our coastal appeals, supported our work on the coast or left us a gift in their will, so future generations can enjoy this beautiful, dramatic and diverse landscape.

Thanks to supporters like you, our rangers, staff and volunteers are constantly managing and monitoring our ever-changing shores. They’re repairing footpaths, keeping beaches clean, protecting precious wildlife habitats and making more areas safe and accessible to everyone.

It costs £40 to create and maintain 10 metres

of coastal path.

You’re protecting 780 miles of coastline

Find out more or donate to the coast at nationaltrust.org.uk/coastline

Saving an architectural masterpiece Berrington Hall in Herefordshire is an example of Georgian architecture at its finest, and at the heart of this neo-classical mansion is the iconic glass dome. Unfortunately, in recent years the dome has showed signs of deterioration. There were leaks at certain times and ornate features showed evidence of cracking, splitting and flaking. Without intervention, this architectural masterpiece could’ve been lost forever. Thankfully, the dome was saved and restored to its former glory with the support of The Wolfson Foundation and donations from supporters and visitors. Crucial to the conservation work was a generous gift left in the will of a former volunteer who had been a room guide at Berrington for 20 years. Our shared passion for history saved the dome and now it will be flooding the main staircase at Berrington Hall with light for many years to come.

Fun and flamboyance When we acquired Seaton Delaval Hall in 2009, this architectural gem was crumbling. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, The Wolfson Foundation and an award from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we embarked on a major conservation project to look after this fine Northumberland hall for future generations.

Over the past decade, we have been carrying out critical building repairs to ensure the survival of the home’s most iconic features. During lockdown, work continued in the gardens and we’ve

now entered the final phase of crucial work to the Central Hall and West Wing. We’re also putting the finishing touches to new visitor facilities.

Your support isn’t just restoring the fabric of an important building, you’re bringing the hall’s story back to life. As the home of the fun-loving Delaval family, the hall was once famed for lavish costume balls and spectacular theatrical productions. As part of The Curtain Rises project, we’re also bringing the fun and theatrics back to Seaton Delaval Hall by working with artists, local communities, students and volunteers to develop ambitious new exhibits, events and experiences.

You bring history to life … and protect it for ever.For a period of 2020, we had no option but to close our houses and gardens and major conservation projects had to be put on hold. Throughout it all, a skeleton staff showed immense dedication, maintaining and caring for the places and collections we all treasure.

As restrictions changed, historic places around the country were able to open their doors to visitors once again and, hopefully, with your support, many vital conservation projects will be able to continue.

You’re protecting 500 historic houses,

castles, parks and gardens.

Find out more or donate to buildings at nationaltrust.org.uk/building-conservation

Upton House in Warwickshire was the 1930s country retreat of Lord and Lady Bearsted. Built in the 17th century, the mansion is celebrated for its dramatic terraced gardens and world-renowned art collection. Here, Collections and House Officer, Jessica Bentley, shares her experiences of working and living at Upton House during the first coronavirus lockdown.

Upton House is more than my place of work – it’s my home. I usually work with four assistants alongside me and together we carry out a range of conservation duties. With such an internationally significant art collection, we’re constantly monitoring the heating and levels of humidity. We are always on the lookout for pests like woodworm and moths too.

Another of my responsibilities is cataloguing the collections and making sure records are accurate and up to date. I also manage our wonderful team of 170 volunteers, making sure they have everything they need to get the house ready so that our visitors have a great experience. No day is ever the same and there’s never a dull moment.

Eerily quietThere are usually around 25 staff on site, but during lockdown we only had a skeleton staff of seven, so it was eerily quiet. It really hit me on Good Friday. On what should’ve been one of the busiest days of the year, our fantastic house was deserted. It was such a surreal experience.

There were many things we had to do differently during lockdown to help protect the house. One sad but necessary job was to cover the furniture and close the shutters while the house was closed to visitors. It really did look and feel very different.

Life became a little more predictable during lockdown. My daily routine was still focused on conserving our historic collections, which included humidity monitoring and pest prevention.

Our team of staff and volunteers keep the house spotless, but without them the need to check for pests became even more critical. I’ve been with the National Trust for five years, so you get to know what to look out for. For example, woodworm will leave a tiny amount of residue from what they’ve been eating, which is a good indicator of an emerging problem.

Averting disasterIn early summer, we removed some paintings for essential electrical work and to our surprise discovered moth cocoons behind them. Thankfully, we found them before they damaged any precious works of art.

A few weeks later in August, I had a shock when I stepped into the basement to discover it was flooded. After a torrential downpour, a drain had become blocked and rainwater had overflowed into the basement. We spent the morning taking the water out in buckets and mopping up. Thankfully, we don’t store anything precious in there. However, another few inches and the water would’ve come through the door and onto the original parquet flooring.

Generally speaking though, daily life was less frenetic, which freed up vital time for cataloguing and making sure the records we have for items of furniture are accurate and up to date.

Garden therapyI got to experience a different side of Upton House during lockdown by supporting our amazing head gardener, Heather Aston, who has been a member of our team for 20 years. Working in the gardens was very therapeutic and such a change from the usual whirlwind of organisation, problem solving and paperwork inside the house. I knew our volunteers were missing being here, so I also took a lot of photos for the online volunteer newsletter to help them feel connected to us.

Upton is a house that needs people, so it was wonderful when we could welcome our volunteers and visitors back. It was great to have an atmosphere back in the house again.

Life during lockdown at Upton House

We’re thankful to everyone who has supported our work during these turbulent times.

Here are just a few of the people, groups and organisations who have been making a difference to nature, beauty and history.

Jennifer Howells sent £40 and wrote to say: ‘As I am not spending while in lockdown, I am sending some money.

I know it will only be a drop in the ocean for you, but if many people do

the same it will help.’

National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded the National Trust a grant of

just under £1m. This grant supported 56 properties to open up safely to visitors

at a time when people needed our places more than ever. It provided crucial funding towards cleaning and PPE.

East Yorkshire Association made a £500 donation

to Fountains Abbey. The association donated funds

that would have been spent on day trips and meetings,

which had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

M&S Sparks Card customers who chose the National Trust as their

charity are donating 1p every time they make a transaction and scan

their Sparks Card.

CJ Wildlife make an annual contribution to the National Trust and

this year they have generously given £55,000 to the Woodlands project.

Zohir Uddin ran or walked 125km at places we look after throughout September 2020 to celebrate our

125th year and to support the Trust’s recovery from the pandemic.

Elaine Taylor has completed 25 swims in the Lake District lakes

to support Everyone Needs Nature. She’s been posting

regular updates of her swims and has raised nearly £400 so far.

Josh Jenner donated £50 and dedicated 10 trees in

celebration of his and his wife’s fifth (wood!) anniversary.

Everyone needs nature, beauty and history this yearAfter a year of uncertainty, it’s more important than ever for everyone to have access to beautiful places, historical stories and green spaces to find a sense of calm. It’s not just about big adventures in the great outdoors, it’s about taking time to notice and appreciate nature, whether that’s watching a sunset, listening to birdsong or taking a photo of a bee or a butterfly in your own garden. Simple moments like these can reduce anxiety and make us feel happier.

The world has changed and we have had to adapt to the complications that come with keeping places open safely. This year we will continue to do everything we can to make places accessible to all, as well as finding ways for you to have the rich experiences that only nature can provide.

In 2020 we launched #BlossomWatch and once again we will be encouraging people to share their pictures of blossom on social media. We will be providing opportunities – at our places and beyond – for people to enjoy this incredible natural wonder and to connect with nature and one another.

We are also working with partners on our own land and in communities to plant circles of flowering blossom trees across the nation for everyone to enjoy. The Blossom Together initiative is all about creating beautiful, peaceful spaces where communities can come together and spend time in nature – and there’s nothing quite like blossom against a blue sky to lift the spirits.

A special ‘thank you’

Join in with this year’s #BlossomWatch and share your own photos of beautiful blossom near you on social media. You can also enjoy blossom-inspired events, walks and activities this spring. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/blossom

Connect with nature together

© National Trust 2021. The National Trust is a registered charity no. 205846 President: HRH The Prince of Wales. Chairman: Tim Parker. Deputy Chairman: Orna NiChionna. Director-General: Hilary McGrady.

© National Trust Images/John Miller/Joe Cornish/David Sellman/Joshua Day/ Mark Johnson/Mike Symes & Devon Wildlife Trust/Chris Lacey/Rob Coleman/ Emily Long/ Ben Selway/Matt Hayward/Solent News and Photography Agency/Mark Gurney/ Faye Rason/Paul Barker/Derw Thomas/Nadia Mackenzie/David Levenson Telephone: 0344 800 1895 nationaltrust.org.uk

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