Adults sulking over tickets

[Applepipsx]

Our local national trust house has announced its opening back up from the 3rd. You have to book online in advance. I decided to book mine at midnight as I was still awake and really want to take the kids for a picnic and a walk. It's been a long time since they've done anything remotely normal. There were 58 tickets available for each day. I got two. Then by 9am this morning Saturday was booked up. Still spaces available on wed and Thurs and Sunday.

The page put a really positive welcome back post on Facebook. Everyone is kicking off. Threatening to cancer membership. Kicking off about non members being allowed to go.

None of them have bothered to read it states the house and play areas are remaining shut. They are asking if it's all open etc. Basically you can go for picnics and walks in the gardens.

If I didn't get a ticket I would not be on FB giving the page hell and being mardy. Theres literally 58 spaces and everyone seems to think they deserve it more than others. We won't be selfish and book again for a few weeks to give others a turn. But Jesus what is wrong with people's attitudes.

[IntermittentParps]

YANBU. People need to grow up.

[Francina670]

I find the charitable donation to benefit thing quite unclear. As a member I get free entry. I also get free parking. So I can get financial benefits from making my donation and that’s ok?

[TuttiFrutti]

So how come RHS, also opening up from next week, is making it members only? You have to apply online for tickets in timed slots but it's only open to current members.

[Fairyliz]

Can anyone tell me how you freeze memberships? I had a big birthday earlier this year and DH got us an annual membership as a present. Not been able to go yet and the clock is ticking on my membership. Yes I do feel a bit miffed that members are not given priority, this was a lot of money for us to spend.

[Devlesko]

We just go to the country, fewer people and free.
take a ball for a kick around, a nice little picnic, bob's your uncle.
These places will be gone when high unemployment hits, you have to be rich to have membership of these places.

[Crosswordocelot]

Maybe non-members should have priority? You know, those who can't afford NT membership and perhaps don't have gardens.

I dont understand this comment, it's not a membership requirement of the NT to have a garden is it? Maybe some members dont have gardens either?

[DPotter]

You see there are advantages to being a night owl !!

[halcyondays]

RHS Facebook page says they’re open to all but members got The chance of booking slots first before they offered them to everyone else.
It’s a pity the NT didn’t do this.

[ToothFairyNemesis]

@Fairyliz you can only freeze for three months if you pay by direct debit monthly. If you paid in full you can get 25% of your renewal. Really annoying as we paid in full and are shielding.

[ToothFairyNemesis]

@Fairyliz
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/help-with-your-membership-payments-due-to-coronavirus

[Nottobesoldseparately]

I'm a NT member.

Couldn't give a shiny shit who gets tickets first.

I won't be cancelling my membership or even attempting to visit anywhere just yet.

Just pleased places are starting to reopen.

[LaLaLandIsNoFun]

I can’t get round up about this. We’re members. Had no idea about the freeze but hey ho. The playgrounds aren’t open anyway, just the garden’s. We are in the UK - there is an insane amount of land with public access up and down the country. Limited access to NT is a non issue.

[Applepipsx]

My membership is £4.50 a month. So it's less than a macdonalds to be fair. My partner's is the same. Kids are free but my oldest son will need to be added on next year.

[Toomuchtrouble4me]

Yes - the first 58 members should get priority, it's for these resons - priority booking etc that members ARE members of such things. If I were a member and wanted to go and the tickets went to non-members too, I'd be a bit peeved and it would probably warrant an email to NT.

[mencken]

if it hasn't already been said; NT advise on my local property page that charity law prevents them from prioritising members. The places are for everyone.

sorry to spoil the fun with facts...

[BessMarvin]

That is true as the NCT used to give members early admission to nearly new sales but had to stop as it's not allowed.

NCT members do get early admission to sales. Or would do if it were possible to have them at the moment.

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Of course paying members should get priority!

They should release any unused slots 24 hours before to non members.

[woodhill]

So do the non -members have to pay?

[Applepipsx]

Yes non members pay for access. Roughly £5-£8

[woodhill]

If the members didn't pay then the NT wouldn't exist anyway for anyone so I think they should get some priority. I think they could get round it

[cologne4711]

The National Trust says the Charity Commission rules say it can't restrict car park spaces to members. Frankly I'd do it any way in their shoes because I would have thought the Charity Commission has better things to do than fine the NT for a few weeks thanking their members, and it's not the same in Scotland because Historic Scotland sent me an email saying they would prioritise members when they reopened.

I have to say I wonder how everyone knew they were opening up car park slots. It would be nice if they at least emailed members to tell them, I only found out from the BBC and unsurprisingly everything has gone, although actually none of the venues I want are reopening yet (looking for somewhere my mum and I can meet for a walk and takeaway coffee).

I am not particularly bothered as I've been to all the properties local to me but I can see why people are annoyed by non-members jumping in (and of course they want that because they charge non-members for parking).

[SisterFarAway]

@MaggieFS

Woah- where was the offer of a three month freeze? I missed that. (Was happy to continue to support anyway, but now I am annoyed that there is no members' priority.)

I missed that three months freeze, too. Slightly annoyed about that, but at the end of the day, it is not that much money (to me) and I am happy to support them.

[Jenasaurus]

Wakehurst Place?

[Perisoire]

I'm not an NT member, but I think tickets should have been offered to members first.

[Applepipsx]

Membership is much better value if you live near a good place. If you have children and a family ticket is heading towards £50 you can see why the £120 a year is worth it if you will go on a regular basis. If you have to travel alot to visit places then no it's not worth it I guess. Some have great playareas for kids and lots of walkingspace so it's a great way to burn energy of.