- National Trust Magazine
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National Trust Magazine is the members’ publication of National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty. With a readership of 3.76 million (ABC 1,752,636) it currently has the sixth highest magazine circulation in Britain. Three issues are sent out every year - spring, summer and autumn – and are delivered as part of the National Trust members’ mailout, which includes local newsletters and other information for Trust members.
Contents
History
The first issue appeared in May 1932 and featured the Trust’s newest acquisition, Montacute House, on the cover. It was 8 pages long and titled ‘The National Trust Bulletin’.
Over time the magazine has been variously known as,
- 1932–1935: The National Trust Bulletin
- 1935–1939: National Trust News
- 1939: The Trust in War-Time
- 1947: National Trust Newsletter (the first Trust publication since 1939 due to wartime paper shortages)
- 1948: National Trust News Bulletin
- 1948–1954: News Bulletin
- 1955–1967: News Letter
- 1968–1970: Newsletter to members of The National Trust
- 1971–1973: National Trust News
- 1973–1985: National Trust
- 1985–Present: The National Trust Magazine
The number of issues has varied from 1 to 4 per year, although since 1984 the magazine has been tri-annual. The most recent magazine, autumn 2009, is issue number 118. The current numbering system considers issue number 1 to be the spring 1968 issue (numbered as such due to a redesign in that year). In fact 50 issues preceded the spring 1968 edition; therefore the autumn 2009 magazine is the 168th National Trust Members’ publication.
Staff
Previous editors include
- Robin Wright: 1982 -1985
- Lawrence Rich: 1985 - 1988
- Sarah Jane Forder: 1989–1996
- Amanda Evans: ‘acting editor’ autumn 1996
- Gina Guarnieri: 1997–1999
- Anne Johnson: autumn 1999
- Gaynor Aaltonen: 2000 - 2006
- Sue Herdman: 2006–present
The team has variously included Executive Editors, News Editors, Deputy Editors, Art Directors over the years. Currently the magazine employs three full-time editorial staff: the Editor, Assistant Editor and Editorial Assistant. It also employs a freelance designer, sub-editor and picture editor.
Content
The magazine features articles on interiors, gardens, wildlife, family, food, environment and all areas of National Trust life.
Regular pages
Opinion
Penned by notable figures in British society. Previous contributors have included Anish Kapoor, Rachel Johnson, Griff Rhys Jones and Satish Kumar.
Interview
An interview with recognisable faces. Previous interviewees have included Brian May, Kevin McCloud, Tony Robinson, Bill Bryson, and Dame Kelly Holmes.
Walk
A walk around an area linked to a feature in that issue of the Magazine.
Behind the Scenes
News from the world of the Trust's interiors and collections.
People
An interview with a National Trust staff member or volunteer. Previous interviewees have included a stonemason, a coachwoman, and a National Trust Surfing Officer.
Photo Essay
A picture-led feature on any subject, from photographic archives to a celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity.
Days Away
A travel feature, aimed to inspire a trip or holiday to any UK location with ties to the Trust.
Snap Shot
A page celebrating one of our reader-submitted examples of time well spent at National Trust Sites.
In the news
The National Trust Magazine has sparked features in broadsheets, such as the Telegraph (on the story of Ferguson’s Gang), and the Sunday Times (following a feature on Slavery).
Advertising
The very first advert to appear in the magazine was in the 1968 issue. Madison Bell handle the advertising for the magazine today.
Online
The magazine team also regularly use twitter under the username @NTMagazine
Talking Magazine
An audio version of each issue is produced. The talking magazine is presented by John Waite, and regularly features the voices of Malcolm Billings, Louise Fryer, Brian Perkins, Libby Purves, and Charlotte Green. In addition to features, which are read aloud, extra studio interviews and outside broadcasts are conducted with authors, Trust staff, and figures mentioned in the magazine.
Contributors
Notable contributors to the magazine have included:
- Anthony Blunt
- James Lees-Milne
- Alan Titchmarsh
- Clough Williams-Ellis
- George Trevelyan
- Graham Stuart Thomas
- Peter Thornton
- Nigel Nicolson
- Robert Lassam
- Sir Alan Bowness CBE
- David Bellamy
- Nicholas Wollaston
- Hunter Davies
- Sue Arnold
- Jancis Robinson
- Gervase Jackson-Stops
- Anna Pavord
- Miles Kington
- Libby Purves
- Jonathon Porritt
- Rumer Godden
- Max Egremont
- Roy Lancaster
- Brian Redhead
- Richard Mabey
- Maev Kennedy
- Simon Jenkins
- Patrick Wright
- Colin Luckhurst
More recent contributors include
- Dan Cruickshank
- Kate Colquhoun
- Anthony Lambert
- Marcel Theroux
- John Vidal
- Clement Freud
- Rosie Boycott
- Jonathan Meades
- Rachel Johnson
- Adam Nicholson
- Oz Clarke
- Michael Holroyd
- Anish Kapoor
Photography
- Joe Cornish
- John Millar
- Layton Thompson
- Cristian Barnett
- Andrew Montgomery
Spring Relaunch
In line with the National Trust’s rebranding, the National Trust Magazine was relaunched in January 2010.
See also
Categories:- British magazines
- National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
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