If the National Trust wanted a gay icon, its own James Lees-milne would have been ideal
SIR – The letter by Dame Helen Ghosh, Director-general of the National Trust (August 5), in relation to its Prejudice and Pride campaign was deeply odd.
Fifty year’s ago male homosexuality was decriminalised, yet anyone who has read the diaries of James Leesmilne (who did more than anyone to persuade families to donate houses to the Trust) will know that his own colourful life demonstrated that the law did not prevent him from exploring his tastes.
Perhaps the Trust is ashamed of Lees-milne not because of his sexuality but because it perceives him to be a Right-wing snob.
R W Ketton-cremer, who donated Felbrigg Hall to the Trust, may never have married and “had no heirs to inherit” (in the words of Dame Helen) but this does not mean his memory and dignity should have been sullied by a Stonewall-inspired campaign which the National Trust welcomed.
Lastly it was preposterous for Dame Helen to suggest that the Trust’s “purpose is to make everyone feel welcome at our houses” by affirming a campaign that forced volunteers to wear rainbow badges. Is she suggesting that people have not been made welcome until now? Has any donor in the past been discriminated against for their sexuality? Surely being gay and joining the National Trust is a given.
Dame Helen is moving on. The Trust should, in appointing a new director-general, learn from this incident. Thinking everyone will accept a stupid, insipid campaign because it is narrated by Stephen Fry cannot mask major mistakes by the National Trust, which should concentrate on its core purpose. That is something James Lees-milne would have understood, snob or not. Rev David Ackerman
London W10
SIR – My wife and I love the National Trust. Its wonderful collection of properties and gardens are well worth a visit. The volunteers are helpful and knowledgeable. A subscription gives us tremendous value for money.
My wife and I detest the National Trust. Its current political attitudes and the way the business is run, obviously by a group who have been to the best management schools and know their targets from their customers, makes it impossible to like.
What shall we do? Geoffrey Reynolds
Camborne, Cornwall
SIR – I was very disappointed that the National Trust succumbed to reactionary pressures regarding the celebration of partial decriminalisation of homosexuality 50 years ago.
Unlike most of its critics I visited Felbrigg Hall last week and was impressed by the sensitive way it had presented material on gay liberation, which also gave an insight into the life of R W Ketton-cremer at Felbrigg.
The Trust’s literature makes clear its commitment to equality and diversity. Anyone working or volunteering for it would be aware of its diversity ethos and this would form part of their terms of engagement. No staff I chatted with seemed concerned about having to wear a rainbow badge: there was no mention of bullying.
Unfortunately, the exhibition has brought to the surface the very bigotry it is challenging. Alan Jeffery
Harleston, Norfolk
SIR – The U-turn over volunteers’ rainbow badges does not address the real issue. Should the National Trust, custodian of so much of our heritage, take a political stand over issues beyond its remit, whatever they are?
Its climbdown was grudging. Instead of saying “We got it wrong” it was “We are making it clear to volunteers that wearing the badge is optional”. No apology and little respect for its unpaid volunteer army. Max Ingram
Cenac et St Julien, Dordogne, France
SIR – National Trust funding comes from a hugely diverse public. This public supports its core aims, as conserver of the nation’s treasures. This same public is in no way giving it a mandate to set political policy.
The actions at Felbrigg Hall moved into new territory. This should be reviewed as a matter of urgency before much damage is done. Colin Piers
Leominster, Herefordshire
SIR – I have been privileged to know members of the family of Robert Wyndham Ketton-cremer – a most private and unassuming man – for many years and my father fought as a brother officer with his brother, and then heir to Felbrigg, Richard who died in the Second World War.
My great-uncle Henry Labouchere MP introduced the amendment to the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 which made “gross indecency” a crime.
While my views on my uncle’s actions are mine alone, may I suggest that the National Trust keep its usually reasonably honourable nose out of others’ business and concentrate on maintaining our heritage houses and their surroundings? By its recent reversal of the badge policy it will keep its volunteers and members rather than lose them by diktat. John Labouchere
Dereham, Norfolk
SIR – Charities such as the National Trust rely on members and donors to support it, sometimes through legacies, and volunteers to further its aims.
The National Trust accounts for the year ended February 2016 show salaries of £159 million (a 16 per cent increase over the previous year). One employee earned a salary in the range £170,000 to £179,000. The senior executive team (nine persons) received in aggregate more than £1.3 million.
I will consider whether I wish to continue to be a member, as I assume will be the case for others. Keith A Hart
Woodbridge, Suffolk