'What the National Trust needs now is a chair with a deep understanding and appreciation of our nation's heritage. There was further controversy after it emerged that the Trust had tried to force volunteers at a Norfolk mansion to wear the gay pride rainbow symbol on lanyards and badges to mark 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality - a demand later dropped.Ĭritics claim the Trust is 'virtue signalling' and deserting the values of its traditional members.
'Our recent report aimed to give greater clarity and transparency about sources of wealth, to help deepen and enrich understanding of our remarkable places, art and objects.'
In his letter to members, he wrote: 'We understand Black Lives Matter currently is a worldwide human rights movement with no party-political affiliations in the UK. Speaking at the meeting, Mr Parker said 'we are not members of BLM' and added that he hoped Trust members would see 'that in no way the Trust has become a political organisation that has been taken over by a bunch of woke folk or anything of that nature'. In the UK, BLM has called for the defunding of the police following the murder of George Floyd last summer. Parker: BLM has 'no party-political affiliations'Īt last November's virtual annual meeting, Mr Parker was slammed for describing Black Lives Matter as a 'human rights movement with no party-political affiliations' in a letter to a member. The document sparked huge controversy as it listed 93 National Trust properties said to have links to colonialism and slavery - including Churchill's home.
The Trust's 115-page report was called 'Connections between colonialism and properties now in the care of the National Trust, including links with historic slavery.' Mr Parker, who took on the role in 2014, said the Trust was 'committed to anti-racism and to creating a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment.' Members, ministers and MPs had grown increasingly frustrated with Mr Parker's chairmanship after the charity published a report last September which 'blacklisted' 93 of its estates with links to slavery. Restore Trust, which was founded by members earlier this year in a bid to stop history being 'demonised' by organisations including the National Trust, welcomed the news. Mr Parker had served two three-year terms and had agreed to a 'third exceptional term' to provide stability during the coronavirus pandemic which hit visitor numbers. In a statement posted on the Trust's website, the charity said Mr Parker had 'informed trustees of his decision the day after the Trust's houses reopened to the public on 17 May, and will step down in October this year'. The Charity Commission subsequently opened a regulatory compliance case and the heritage minister told Parliament that the report was 'unfortunate' and the Trust should go back to its 'core functions'. Last September, the Trust published an sensational 115-page report which 'blacklisted' 93 of its estates over their alleged links to slavery - including Chartwell in Kent, home of Sir Winston Churchill. Members, ministers and MPs had grown increasingly frustrated with Mr Parker's chairmanship, which critics said he used to take the 126-year-old charity in a 'bourgeois' and 'politically correct' direction.
The group is also demanding that the charity's staff be treated 'with fairness' after many were let go during the pandemic, and for executives to rein in pay rises. Members are furious at its recent focus on politically correct issues, which has seen it link properties to colonialism and make staff wear rainbow 'gay pride' badges.Ī motion of no confidence in Tim Parker was due to be tabled at this year's annual general meeting by a grassroots organisation called Restore Trust. I also attempt to use recyclable packaging, as well as shipping bags made out of already recycled plastic.The chairman of the National Trust has quit just 24 hours after members launched a bid to depose him amid a growing row over the 'woke' direction the charity is taking. I try my best to make my packaging as eco-friendly and recyclable as possible. This product is handmade, so there may be imperfections, however that is the charm of handmade items they're unique and one of a kind. Not suitable for children under 4 - contains long handles which could pose as a hazard. All bags are handmade, so no two are ever the same, making them one of a kind! Pride rainbow diagonal ric rac striped cotton tote bag.Īdd a splash of colour to your shopping with these handmade and colourful pride tote bags! Perfect for small amounts of shopping and groceries, and great for showing your support for the LGBTQ+ community! Each bag is made of 100% cotton fabric, cotton webbing, and label.