National Trust membership figures drop amid furious backlash over 'woke' policies
National Trust has seen its membership numbers decline
FLICKR
The National Trust has seen a decline in membership, with numbers dropping by 89,000 to 2.62 million in 2023-24 amid accusations that the organisation has adopted a "woke agenda".
The fall in members came despite a five per cent increase in visitor numbers to 25.3 million across its sites in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Critics have pointed to several controversial decisions made by the Trust in recent years which have left members angry.
In 2023, the charity faced backlash for replacing the term "ethnic minority" with "global majority" in a new walking project.
Members also complained about a charity volunteers calendar that excluded Christmas and Easter while including festivals from other religions such as Hinduism's Diwali and Islam's Eid and Ramadan.
Former National Trust chair Sir Simon Jenkins warned last year that the organisation was failing to get the balance right on culture issues.
National Trust has seen its membership numbers declineFLICKRJenkins acknowledged the Trust's efforts to re-examine its properties' history in a Guardian article but criticised the execution.
He advised that on political issues not directly related to its mission, "silence is the wisest policy".
Despite the decline in membership, the National Trust has reported positive developments in other areas. Visitor numbers jumped by five per cent in the last year, with people still willing to spend on days out despite the cost of living crisis.
Non-member visits rose by 12 per cent, indicating a shift towards paying on the day rather than committing to memberships.
The National Trust has been accused of implementing woke policies
GettyThe Trust's director general, Hilary McGrady, remains optimistic, stating: "It's really heartening that people still want to spend time in and support amazing cultural and natural places".
The organisation also reported a record fundraising year, raising £117.9 million from various sources, including £3million from secondhand bookshops.
Conservation efforts continue, with £178million spent on historic buildings and collections in the past year.
The National Trust's annual report revealed changing visitor spending patterns. While membership numbers dropped, spending in shops and cafes increased compared to the previous year.
The Trust completed its longest-ever conservation task: a 24-year project to restore 13 Gideon tapestries at Hardwick Hall.
£5.5million was spent on improving physical access for people with disabilities.
The organisation also acquired Munstead Wood, the former home of gardener Gertrude Jekyll.
The Trust reported early signs of recovery in membership numbers. As of June, memberships had risen slightly to 2.63 million, with a total of 5.38 million members including group subscriptions.
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