THE NATIONAL TRUST [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—A
freehold estate in South-East London is being cut up and the freehold ground rents sold to the leaseholders, and I am concerned in a number of the purchases. Included in the estate is a coppice or plantation of a little over half an acre, forming the entrance on one side to a residential road from a main 'bus route and shopping centre.
My clients are anxious to obtain possession of this coppice and to keep it in its present condition, as it is well wooded and makes a most agreeable entrance to the road. They fear that it may be bought up by a speculator who would cut down the trees and use the ground for commercial purposes, very likely for that of a garage with petrol pumps.
Can you suggest to me a society who would be willing to become the purchaser of this land to preserve its amenities ? I think that the question of cash need not arise, as I believe I shall have no difficulty in getting clients to provide the purchase price, but my difficulty is to find a purchaser to hold in perpetuity.
If you can put me in touch with such a society or association, I shall be very grateful and would then give them full parti- culars and details as to locality, &c. I enclose my card and [We have referred our correspondent to the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest and Natural Beauty, which was founded for exactly the purpose which he outlines. Its activities should, we think, be more widely known. Its address is Buckingham Palace Gardens, S.W. 1.—ED., Spectator.]
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