A national protest group which says it is dealing with an increasing number of complaints about the National Trust is asking the charity to clarify what its plans are in Cumbria.
Around 40 were contacted via an email sent on behalf of the National Trust, which said financial pressures had led the charity to make ‘difficult decisions’ about the area and that from July no staff would be available to oversee the boat yard.
“The National Trust are very good at ending relationships but don’t seem to have a clear plan over what happens next,” Cornelia van der Poll, chair of Restore Trust a protest group of National Trust members, told Cumbria Crack.
The group, set up five years ago, has raised concerns about the charity’s lack of accountability.
They have previously proposed the establishment of an independent ombudsman to act as an impartial adjudicator in issues such as the decision at Fell Foot.
“We can’t be confident that the trust is looking after properties in everybody’s best interests and it is a lack of consultation that is the biggest problem,” Cornelia said.
This apparent lack of consultation chimes with Windermere’s boat owners who have just paid launching and mooring fees for what could be their final season.
A meeting has yet to take place between the trust and boaters.
Cumbria Crack did invite the National Trust to discuss the changes including the reasons behind them when we were first made aware of the decision at Fell Foot.
We also asked what will replace the boatyard and queried how the Active Base facility will operate in future, given no dedicated staff will be available to manage the site which was partly funded by Sport England.
We were told no one was unavailable for interview and invited to email ‘pertinent questions’ to the charity – which we have done this week.
“We exist for people who are at their wits end and don’t feel they have a voice,” Cornelia added, arguing the charity, which is currently urging members to lobby MPs to persuade the Government to support more wildlife initiatives, should listen to people affected by its own plans.
