A dereliction of duty

Dear Editor,

I have complained to the National Trust about the insensitive and destructive work they have been undertaking at Holnicote and Dunster in West Somerset. I told them I would forward my letter to you.

This is the text of the letter I sent them:

Having just been for a walk from Lynch, on Bossington Hill to the Coastguard Hut and back down to Bossington, I was distressed to see that the footpath has been mowed at either side, needlessly to widen it, and in the course of this work many foxgloves have been cut down in their prime and callously left strewn on the path, along with a good deal of gorse twigs which will make it uncomfortable for the many dogs which are walked there daily. The work has been done with utter disregard for, or lack of appreciation of, the very things that make this a popular walk which is much valued by the locals and visitors. I suggest that, be it disregard you need to replace those unregarding personnel with people with a more generous nature, and be it lack of appreciation you need to replace the personnel with people who are aware of and responsive to the significance (even though it be un-monetisable and not of commercial value) of the places in their care.  

What I have seen today makes me regret not having sent to you a letter protesting about the ruination of the Millennium Wood at Buddle Hill, which I was minded to send at the season of the flowering of the bluebells in April this year. The text of it I now include here: 

I must protest at the sad way the Bluebell Walk at Buddle Hill has been damaged by tree works being undertaken.  

What was last year a pleasant area to walk through is now a scene of desolation. Was it necessary to carry out tree-felling work with such vicious insensitivity? It is quite evident that there has been a complete indifference to the beauty of the place and the life it sustains, both animal and vegetable. Footpaths have been turned into wide and muddy rutted highways, countless plants have been destroyed and a familiar, much-loved walk has become unrecognisable.  

So much for the National Trust’s much-vaunted tree-planting programme and care for ‘havens of wildlife’.  

Some walks have been summarily closed off with ‘Strictly No Entry’ signs, enabled by what law or statutory instrument I should be most interested to learn. And may we not know for what length of time you expect these restrictions to remain in place?  

Also we saw one of your people spraying weedkiller on the bridge at Dunster Castle last week.  

Whoever is in charge at the moment is overseeing policies which are in opposition to the stated duty of the National Trust – ‘to promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the Nation of lands and tenements (including buildings) of beauty or historic interest’. 

I am not happy about writing to you in these unfriendly terms but if no-one voices their objections to your actions you will just carry on.

They have replied to me as expected by saying the works are necessary for Health and Safety and that various footpaths will remain closed 'for a number of years', which I find most dispiriting.

I am glad to know that Restore Trust exists and is acting as a voice of sanity in the face of the National Trust's many breaches of its duty.

Thank you.

Mrs Melanie Carroll
Minehead, West Somerset