Allowing fox hunting is one reason I will give the NT a penny, no doubt they do some good things but allowing hunting is not one of them. I think if they stopped hunting that could attract more funding, it maybe a risk but there are possibly more people who find hunting foxes repugnant.
As for making your views at an annual meeting, worth a go but it will probably be ignored.... you know big money and all that.
Hi Leakyboots,
Thank you for your message.
Unfortunately, it is only members of the NT who can make a difference in the AGM by casting their votes. I completely understand those who want to cancel their membership, but that means they are unable to vote for future motions in relation to anything NT.
The League Against Cruel Sports is confident that in raising this issue and campaign, it will add pressure to the NT to change the suspension of the ban, to a permanent one.
I take your point and completely understand what you say, however for me, in a some what odd way, its a matter of conscience, on one had the NT do fantastic work but on the other, I cannot abide fox hunting nor those who support it and I have little faith that a push for it to end on NT land will do anything, I could be totally wrong, if the NT changed tack I would probably offer to eat my hat, or at least have a munch on it.
Well here’s hoping you’ll be eating hat for tea after the AGM in October
I have some sympathy with the NT though. They rely on the sort of people who support hunting not only for funds but also for volunteers. They could make a stand, but it would cost them dear, not only financially.
Much like the RSPB taking a stand on cats killing wildlife.
Personally I do not rate the RSPB and other single class conservation organisations. Not since I heard what they did to a site in Herefordshire which was a very important hibernate site for key British reptile species. AIUI they bulldozed the site, removed all the discrete hibernation and observation sites that were put in place over a great many years by a local amphibian and reptile ecology group as part of a continuous research and monitoring programme over decades. They trashed it as a habitat and did it when the reptiles were hibernating there. Worst possible time to do it too. Last I heard the view of experts was that the site would probably cease FYI have any reptiles on it in less than 10 years. From a very important reptile habitat site for AIUI reptiles from a much wider area to nothing in perhaps 15 years. All to male it more accessible to visitors and to improve it for a couple of bird specs that AFAIK aren't even on the red list!!!!!
The site I believe was a NT site but the RSPB did the work. I've never given to them since. I no longer trust single type animal conservation charities because there's always a risk that they don't take a balanced view on the ecology of sites they look after. Certainly didn't at the one I know about. BTW I heard about the story from people involved in the monitoring of reptiles at that site with the permission of the landowner (NT) for decades. Of course if you look at RSPBA site there's often talk about protecting bird species from predation by introduced species. In this site the reptiles were not introduced but native species thriving in that particular,uncommon habitat. As native as the bird life there.
Sorry if this sounds like a rant. It's just that people often don't see or hear about the harm done to the less popular, cuddly, photogenic and common types of animals / species. People see conservation charities as only doing good but that's certainly not the truth all the time. I mean who in their right mind would commission a reptile impact survey for a cold month of the year when they're deep underground hibernating???? That's what happened.
I’d be really interested to read about the Herefordshire situation - do you have any links?
"if the NT changed tack I would probably offer to eat my hat, or at least have a munch on it"
It is a common enough tactic in pressing for change, to join an organisation (or a buy shares in a company) in order to press hard for policy change. There have been, for example, many attempts to influence the Co-Op bank's policies like that. When you fill a hall with many of thousands of people pushing for change you do make clear your weight on the subject. Oddly, it also gets to become very usefully clear to all when an organisation clings to a position that its members oppose.
With subjects we are passionate about, we have to try the methods we have to hand.
@buttons4breastcancer3hX3Ov5q has the league got a page on their website I can find the info on? I'm an NT member and would definitely use my vote but I won't make a roadshow. Thanks
@buttons4breastcancer3hX3Ov5q has the league got a page on their website I can find the info on? I'm an NT member and would definitely use my vote but I won't make a roadshow. Thanks
Hi CharlotteF,
thank you so much for your message and support!
You can find out more here and on the main website. This link takes you to a petition whereby you can contact the director general of the National Trust and at the same time, sign up to receive updates of when voting opens etc.
people who want a motion to pass through on the AGM, need to vote for it and not against.
I'm an NT member so I'll be looking out for the voting stuff this year. The website says there'll be a booklet with the September magazine. Probably it'll be with the bits and pieces of advertising bumf that usually goes straight in the recycling bin.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I'm an NT member so I'll be looking out for the voting stuff this year. The website says there'll be a booklet with the September magazine. Probably it'll be with the bits and pieces of advertising bumf that usually goes straight in the recycling bin.
Hi Jenny,
that’s great to read - thank you!
If you need any further information from the League side - please do sign up here:
Posts
thank you so much for your message and support!
people who want a motion to pass through on the AGM, need to vote for it and not against.
that’s great to read - thank you!
https://takeaction.league.org.uk/page/85937/action/1?ea.tracking.id=banner
kate
The League Against Cruel Sports is in Leamington Spa outside the Town Hall from 11:00am today if anyone would like to go along to find out more.