National Trust helpers revolt over wearing gay pride badge
VOLUNTEERS at a National Trust property are in revolt over demands for them to wear rainbow coloured badges in support of gay rights.
At least 30 of the unpaid guides have been asked to ‘take a break’ after refusing to wear special ID ribbons and badges at 17th century Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk, the charity has admitted.
Insiders claim the figure is closer to 50, however, while others are displaying them ‘under duress’.
Many of the mainly retired helpers are said to have suffered ill-health and sleepless nights as a result.
The mutiny follows the trust’s decision to ‘out’ the hall’s former owner, Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer, as part of a project marking the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality.
It commissioned a film about his private life, which can be viewed by visitors, prompting criticism from his godchildren. One accused the trust of generating ‘cheap publicity’.
Volunteers learned of plans to wear the multi- coloured lanyards in meetings with full-time staff and an email sent by hall manager Ella Akinlade.
Mike Holmes, 72, who has worked at the 17th century hall for 13 years, claimed at least 50 volunteers out of 180 regulars were staying away over the issue.
Nine turned up for work on his normal Tuesday afternoon shift last week but all were turned away for not putting on the lanyards, he said. Others who privately objected had taken themselves off the work rota for the six weeks the campaign is running. ‘He [Ketton-Cremer] would be turning in his grave if he knew what was happening.
‘He was an intensely private man and he was never open about his sexuality,’ said Mr Holmes, a former bank manager.
‘The National Trust looks after grounds and buildings. They do not have the right to research their benefactor’s private life to suit the needs of a marketing campaign. We were all told we had to display our normal badges on rainbow coloured lanyard ribbons and wear rainbow badges.
‘My wife and I and a lot of others refused because we did not agree with the benefactor’s sexuality being disclosed. My objection is that we were not given any choice. We were told we had to wear these lanyards. Most volunteers are retired and in their 70s and 80s and did not want to wear them.
‘We were encouraged to take a sabbatical until the programme ends in September. We do not know if we will want to go back at the end of it because of the way we have been treated.’ The trust’s Prejudice and Pride campaign is publicising the previously secret private lives of some of the former occupants of its properties.
The film about Ketton-Cremer, who donated the family seat to the trust on his death in 1969, is called The Unfinished Portrait.
Close friends of the former High Sheriff of Norfolk have stated he was gay but never openly admitted it.
A National Trust spokesman said the rainbow lanyards were not compulsory. He added: ‘ We recognise some volunteers may need more time and so have offered them the opportunity to take a break from duties if that’s what they feel most comfortable with.’