Surge in membership at National Trust

NATIONAL Trust membership has topped 5.5 million in a record year for conservation spending, the charity says.

Its ranks swelled by more than 300,000 to 5,600,000 and funds for projects hit £148million in 2018/19, according to today’s annual report.

Its work included restoration of England’s highest war memorial on Scafell Pike and the reintroduction of water voles on Exmoor.

Some £10million more was spent than the previous year, with £104.5million put towards buildings and collections, £35.7million on coast and countryside and £8.2million on the Trust’s gardens.

Visits to the 780 miles of coastline, 248,000 hectares of land and more than 500 historic houses, gardens and parks the National Trust looks after around the UK totalled 26.9 million last year.

As well as members, the organisation also relies on the support of its 65,000 volunteers, who gave more than 4.8 million hours of their time.

The Trust’s director of support and revenue Sharon Pickford said: “These latest figures are not only great news for the National Trust as a charity, but also for the hundreds of special places that we look after. Our work to care for these places is only possible through the generosity of our members, visitors, volunteers, funders and donors.

“Without them, we simply wouldn’t be able to spend record levels on conservation and access work to ensure more people have a great experience when they come to our places.”