European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 25, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Great Britain yet there s a compelling urge to preserve As much As possible of the historical symbols of this country with a passion for its past. Ten years ago for instance the Trust acquired fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire he site of the largest monastic ruin in Britain which together with its extensive gardens of Studley Royal was subsequently designated a world heritage site by Enesco. A number of National Trust houses Many of the grand country Manors have associations with famous people for instance Wompole Hall Cambridgeshire Rudyard Kiplin Gayot St. Lawrence Hertfordshire George Bernard Sha Chartwell Kent sir Winston Churchil Washington did Hall Tyne and Wear county the family of George Washington and Cliveden american born lady Nancy Astor. In All about 12 million people Hay visited National. Trust properties and countless More have enjoyed fre Access to the Countryside and coastal areas owned by the Trust. Another conservation organization English heritage also acquires historic properties particularly monuments ancient and modern As Well As buildings of historic interest in and around London. English heritage owns among other Sites that heavily visited ancient Structure of stonehenge. Some critics suggest that the National Trust should follow the Lead of English heritage which under the chairmanship of the abrasive dynamic former publisher Jocelyn Stevens has begun to divest itself of some properties turning them Over to local government authorities. Critics liken English heritage s divestiture policy to Selling off the family Silver and the policy is also controversial because the local authorities like a London Borough often do not have the resources or desire to supervise and protect local monuments or listed houses. Listed houses and buildings Are those built Between 1700 and 1940 that Are considered of exceptional or particular National importance. The National Trust itself often leases its lands and properties to others to manage ranging from agricultural this 19th-Century archway leads visitors to Lacock Abbey left. Two Young people Wade across bide Brook in Lacock above. Lacock is one of two villages under the Domain of the National Trust file plots to the famous Cliveden House leased to a hotel corporation to run As hostelry for the paying Public with 37 double rooms at about $350 a night. Sometimes leasing can run afoul of Public opinion As in the Case where Farmers permit Fox or Deer Hunting on leased Trust lands. Peter Jackson the Nati orial Trust Council member argues i think conducting blood sports on Trust land is a great mistake and is causing a lot of offence among our  As for commercialization Colin Amery the architectural expert complains that some visitors prefer the shops to the attraction itself. The National Trust is getting like Marks & Spencer department store with everything the same  but a spokeswoman for the National Trust Points out that visitors like and expect tearooms and restaurants. We operate 128 tearooms and they Are profitable As Are the souvenir shops she says. We Are aware that there Are ghastly souvenirs sold in this country but we Mon Tor what is sold under the National Trust logo very carefully. We think they Are in Good taste. The Basic problem is Money once we received funds from generous donors and from rental of agricultural lands. But donations rents and government Grants Are Down and costs Are  National Trust official Caroline Audemar sums up we Are trying to protect the Trust land and properties. We Are trying to serve the Public. We Are trying to strike a proper balance Between Access and conservation. It s a huge  of Fiffi in titans in Zamani dog Daze Sale Don t miss these red hot specials at our Ramstein store also attend our Sale at Terrace club Frankfurt 26-28 August 1994 me tvs a a m in a 3-Star hotel 3 overnights-$199 5 overnights $219 1 overnight $99 2 overnights-$149 All of the above Tours depart Friday sep 2nd, so Reserve your seat before they re gone departing on saturday september 3rd is the always popular Day trip or overnight stay to the medieval joust at the 14th Century sat icy Castle for information on these and Many More labor Day Tours visit your Sato travel office or itt destinations unlimited for booking information. Laute str. 102 67657 Kaiserslautern Tel. 0631 70022 fax 0631 72079, August 25, 1994 stripes Magazine 17