My 2008 National Trust handbook slipped through the letterbox yesterday. I say slipped, whereas what I really mean is dropped like a sack of potatoes from a great height. Thud. Honestly, the NT marketing department miss no opportunity to pack all of their mailshots with 'relevant' marketing collateral aimed at the Trust's typical membership. I fear that, even after being a member for 10 years, I'm still not proper target audience.
Contents of National Trust mailshot package » Handbook for Members and Visitors 2008 (the useful bit) » National Trust magazine, Spring 2008 (would look lovely stacked up by the Aga, if I had one) » Grovelly letter sort-of begging me to sign up a friend (I really don't think they'd be interested) » Scotts of Stow catalogue (anyone for an insulated gravy boat, or a quilted Paisley dressing gown?) » Insurance offer for the over 50s (drat, I can't claim my free Parker pen) » Offer to receive a free copy of Which magazine (I bet there's an expensive catch) » Holiday bondshare scheme (as recommended by Judith Chalmers and Sue Barker) » Advert for walking holidays in Austria(definitely not a Saga coach trip) » Mini NT garden catalogue (full of delphiniums, gargoyle ornaments and picnic rugs) » Brief details about Private Medical Cover (hmm, they sent me three identical leaflets) » Invitation to join the RSPB(a great way to meet birds, apparently) » A glossy sofa catalogue (alas, it seems all their sofas are too big to fit in my living room) » A National Trust car windscreen sticker (maybe one year they'll do an Oystercard wallet instead)
Most years I never get round to using my NT membership enough. I did OK in 2007, however, and waved my card at sixverydifferentfar-flungproperties (almost breaking even on the annual subscription). I ought to try harder to visit some buildings rather nearer home in 2008. There aren't many NT properties in London, so I thought I'd knock up the following list and see how many more I can check off as the year progresses.
National Trust properties in London (non-commercial buildings only) (ticked if I've already been) Carlyle's House: Chelsea townhouse and Victorian literary hub (open Wed-Sun, reopens 14 Mar) Eastbury Manor House: There's genuine history in Barking (open Mon & Tue, and 1st and 2nd Sat) Fenton House: A country house remaineth in Hampstead (open Wed-Sun, reopens 3 Mar) Ham House: Stuart mansion beside the Thames near Richmond (open Sat-Wed, reopens 31 Mar) Lindsey House: Very rarely seen Chelsea townhouse (only open on Open House weekend, 15 Sep) Osterley Park: Neo-classical mansion (and park) in Isleworth (open Wed-Sun, reopens 14 Mar) Rainham Hall: Fine Georgian house out Havering way (open Sat pm, reopens 7 Apr) Red House: William Morris's house, sort of Bexleyheath-ish (open Wed-Sat, reopens 1 Mar) Sutton House: Hackney boasts this fine Tudor townhouse (open Thu-Sun) 2 Willow Road: Ernö Goldfinger's modernist Heath hideaway (Thu-Sat, reopens 3 Mar)
Although I'd better not visit them all, or else I'll have nowhere to go when I'm 60.
