Town and country
Sir: Simon Jenkins' article about the National Trust and hunting (Centre point, 23 July) explains the dilemma faced by the Trust council under the chairmanship of Lord Chorley. And it is not good enough for Lord Chorley to pass the buck by saying that Parliament will decide. The urban- based League Against Cruel Sports has effectively infiltrated the National Trust, however it must not be allowed to impose its own single-issue agenda on the Trust.
The National Trust was established to protect a vital part of our heritage whose very existence is threatened by the aspira- tions of the urban masses. The Council of the National Trust should have absolutely no qualms about ignoring the recent votes on a hunting ban and so-called animal cru- elty, as it is empowered to do. If it chooses not to it will soon be faced with further controversies about shooting, fishing, organic farming and even sustainable sources of wrapping paper in the Trust's gift shops.
Now is the time to remind all concerned that the Trust is not there to be used by sin- gle-issue groups to wage their propaganda wars with other people's money — money which should properly be spent on protect- ing our heritage.
David Astor
Bruern Grange, Milton under Wychwood, Oxford
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