I am a longstanding member of the National Trust and I have had a relationship with them for decades! Of late, like a problematic marriage, this is turning into something of a love/hate relationship.
Can I firstly reassure you that I am wholly in sympathy with their aims to preserve buildings and their beautiful gardens, to make available to the public swathes of countryside and coastal areas. It is brilliant to see so much ‘saved’ for the nation rather than seeing it degenerate and crumble.
My frustration creeps in when it comes to my life as a photographer. Some time ago I was at a lovely property in Wales with a wonderful garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll. She had created it so that the view was especially stunning from the windows of the main house (you can probably tell what is coming…). When I tried to take a photo through the windows of this beautiful garden there was a swift and strong reaction. NOT allowed. No photograph. In former times these limitations (which I understand are partly for security reasons) were mitigated a little because I could usually buy a postcard. The rack of postcards, so helpful to keep memories alive, seems more elusive now. Even so, a postcard is not quite the same as a more personal image.
A more up-to-date experience was a trip to Petworth to enjoy the Turner paintings exhibited there - except I couldn’t. The light was so low it was really hard to make out all the nuances of light and shade beloved by Turner. Apparently they are concerned about the effects of UV light and yet, I understand, it is relatively easy to block this by modern technology and still have pictures adequately lit. So disappointing - a place I will never return to unless things change.
At Sissinghurst I was informed that I could not use a tripod as it would ‘stop the flow’ of visitors. This led me to compare my experience of visiting Monet’s garden at Giverny which is again, like Sissinghurst, a very popular place with visitors. The difference there is they recognise it will be a mecca for photographers and so have specific, well-advertised ‘Photographers’ Days’ when it is quite acceptable to arrive with more bulky equipment and it was truly delightful to have the opportunity to capture my own images of the gardens. I do see however (I am not unreasonable!) that there could be lost revenue when a property is not open in full to the general public.
This led me to think about some of the costs the National Trust have, and ways they could be reduced in order to fund a Photographers’ Day. Instead of printing a full handbook for all members every year, maybe it could be issued bi-annually? A few full handbooks could be made available for people new to the National Trust and a small supplement about any changes /additions could be issued instead to existing members. I have had a good deal of fun from having a ‘Visitors Passport’ which I can have stamped every time I visit a National Trust property; this acts as a brilliant aide-memoire. Few people seem to know about them, so better marketing of existing products (and so increased revenue) may be something to look at too.
I freely admit that the National Trust is not alone in making life a little harder for creative people. Visiting the sculpture gardens of Barbara Hepworth in St Ives was a magical experience enhanced by being able to touch her very tactile sculpture amid the planting. However, if you go to the Pallant Gallery in Chichester, her sculptures are strictly ‘hands-off’ despite her clear description of them as works of art needing to be engaged with by touch. We live in a corrupt world, so I imagine this plays it part in such limitations.
So, come on National Trust, you are so good at most of what you do, and offering accessibility for schools and those with disabilities has really become part of who you are. What about us creative folk? How about encouraging us with a little more accessibility to those masterpieces and landscapes which make us beat a path to your door over and over again?
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