Supporter groups in Shropshire and Staffordshire

The grand house reflected in the lake and surrounded by trees at Biddulph Grange in Staffordshire — The ornamental gardens at Biddulph Grange in Staffordshire | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Interested in making the most of the National Trust near you in Shropshire and Staffordshire? Join your local supporter group to enjoy special interest talks, visits, holidays and other social and fundraising events or hands-on conservation activities. Read on to find your nearest group or click on a supporter group’s name in the menu to jump to their details.

Why join a supporter group?

Getting together with other National Trust enthusiasts, members and volunteers who feel passionate about the same things is priceless. Sharing unique experiences and finding out more about the places you care about is what being part of a local National Trust supporter group is all about.

From listening to expert talks and going on behind-the-scenes tours to taking relaxing holidays or restoring natural habitats in the great outdoors, you’ll be part of something amazing. Supporter groups promote and assist the National Trust’s work within their local area and raise money for conservation and development projects through all kinds of events.

Shropshire Centre

The Shropshire Centre was founded in 1972 and currently has around 150 members from across the county. The main aims of the group are to promote the National Trust locally, raise funds to support local properties as well as hosting a programme of enriching events and activities.

Among the properties supported are:

Attingham Park

Dudmaston

Sunnycroft

The upland heath of the Long Mynd

Many members are also volunteers at these places. The Shropshire Centre is independent of the National Trust but is governed by a constitution common to all the Trust's centres and associations.

Staffordshire Centre

The Staffordshire Centre provides walks, talks, visits and an annual holiday as well as fundraising in support of local National Trust properties. Recently, efforts have been concentrated on Shugborough where they’ve committed to be the sole sponsor of the second-hand bookshop.

In the winter there’s a regular meeting on the second Tuesday of the month held in Walton Village Hall. Tea, cakes and biscuits are served and there’s usually an insightful guest speaker, with topics covering a wide range of subjects as diverse as the swinging sixties, chimney sweeps, Gertrude Bell and the history of oatcakes.

Every month there’s an organised walk – usually in Staffordshire, Derbyshire or Shropshire – no more than six miles in length, finishing at a pub around lunchtime.

During the summer there are day trips by coach or by car to a variety of interesting places.

Shropshire and Staffordshire National Trust Volunteer Group

With events held at National Trust places throughout the West Midlands, the focus of the Shropshire and Staffordshire NTV group is on volunteering outdoors, improving the local landscape and learning new skills.

Locations include National Trust woodland, parkland and gardens in a variety of spots across Shropshire, Staffordshire and West Midlands such as:

Dudmaston

Wenlock Edge

Wightwick Manor

They hold workdays every Sunday and members can attend as many, or as few, as they wish. As well as these regular workdays they also arrange a number of working weekend and social events throughout the year.

Blue skies and lush green gardens surround the red brick house of Dudmaston in Shropshire — Dudmaston House and gardens in Shropshire | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

North Staffordshire Association

Founded in 1980, the North Staffordshire Association runs a programme of events throughout the year. Any profits are used to support projects at National Trust places, both locally and nationally. In recent years, support has been given to projects at Little Moreton Hall, Biddulph Grange Gardens, Downs Banks and the Llyn Peninsula.

The activities include a programme of daytrips by coach and car and an annual holiday lasting about four nights, usually in the UK but sometimes further afield. Outing destinations include stately homes, both National Trust and privately-owned gardens, museums and concerts.

In the autumn and winter there’s a series of monthly talks, recent topics include Treasure Trove and the Staffordshire Hoard, Madness and the Medical Profession and The Titanic: the Midlands connection.

From time to time, walks and lunches are arranged.

South East Staffordshire Association of National Trust Members (SESANTM)

SESANTM is a volunteer-led group formed in 1990 to enhance and support the work of the National Trust and to raise funds to donate for a range of projects at local Trust places.

The Association’s members come from the Lichfield, Tamworth, Burton upon Trent and surrounding areas and raises around £3000 per year supporting specific projects at properties throughout the Midlands whilst organising a range of interesting activities for our members .

Winter talks are held in the Guildhall, Bore Street, Lichfield on the third Wednesday of the month from September to March (excluding December), starting at 7.30pm, and finishing with tea or coffee and biscuits. The cost is £2 for members and £4 for non-members.