Harrogate becomes battleground for National Trust woke and hunting rows

Harrogate became the battleground today in the ongoing debates about wokeness and hunting at the National Trust.

The charity held its annual general meeting at the Harrogate Convention Centre today. Local people passing the building this morning may have noticed a wave of green protesters outside from the League Against Cruel Sports.

But there was also another group, Restore Trust, campaigning for change on the inside at the meeting.

The trust, which has more than 500 properties including Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden near Ripon, held various votes today to determine how the organisation moves forward.

Some of the motions to have attracted national media attention were for a ban on hunting on trust land and for the protection of volunteers who refuse to support political movements.

Orna NiChionna Turner, deputy chair of the National Trust, speaking at the event today.

Emma Judd, deputy director of policy, campaigns and communications at the League Against Cruel Sports, told the Stray Ferret:

“I am overwhelmed by how much support we have got, they have come from near and far to give up their time because they are passionated about animal welfare.

“Hunting was made illegal in 2004. But after the ban came trail hunting. We have been saying for a long time that it is often a smokescreen for illegal hunting.

“So by allowing trail hunting, the National Trust is risking criminal activity on their land. Hopefully we can make history in Harrogate today if the National Trust bans it.”

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Cornelia van der Poll, a spokesperson for Restore Trust denied any interest in wokeness despite it being the centre of a great deal of media coverage in the run up to the AGM. She told the Stray Ferret:

“We have put forward three resolutions today on remuneration, on curators and on volunteers. The woke debate is not something I am interested in.

“Restore Trust is interested in proper consultation of staff, members and volunteers. We are interested in proper curatorship and the things the National Trust looks after.

“It should not be Disneyfied or dumbed down but presented in a scholarly way that presents understanding. That is the way. We should not be amused or entertained but to understand and appreciate.”