National Trust finally owns Lake District island which inspired its creation, after generous donor leaves it in her will
This is ostensibly a good news story. It raises in my mind the real potential an act akin to the Scottish Land Reform Bill would have for rural community determination of the use of the land where people live would have on our green and pleasant land? It tells us:
It was the island which inspired the very foundation of the National Trust: its sale to a private owner frustrating a Lake District admirer so much he vowed never to let it happen again.
More than 120 years later, the charity has finally got its hands on Grasmere Island.
The small island, which is not populated, has been left to the Trust by its former owner in her will, after she learned how much it meant to its founders.
The benefactor, who stipulated she did not want to be recognised for her generosity, is understood to have been familiar with the controversial history of Grasmere Island, and sought to return it to the nation via the Trust.
The Trust has now pledged to the 1,78 hectare land will be “protected for ever, for everyone”.