Supporter groups in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

Members can look forward to:

• A quarterly newsletter with details of forthcoming events, social events and outings

• An extensive programme of coach outings to places of historic or cultural interest during the warmer months

• A programme of talks with guest speakers followed by refreshments during the winter months

• A coffee morning each July where new members are especially welcome

• Occasional theatre trips

• An annual UK holiday.

The Beaconsfield Centre celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2022, having postponed the event in 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions.

By participating in all these events, members help the Beaconsfield Centre to raise valuable funds towards the work of the National Trust.

The annual subscription is £15 plus £5 for each additional person residing at the same address.

If you're a member of the National Trust or a National Trust volunteer, and you’re interested in joining the Beaconsfield Centre, please email the Beaconsfield Membership Secretary on membership.bcnt@gmail.com for an application form. Please be sure to include your full name and postal address.

For more information, please visit the Beaconsfield Centre Website

The National Trust ranger and volunteer team work hard all year round to maintain these sites. The tasks they carry out include work to reduce the encroachment of silver birch and pine scrub on the heathland and rhododendron in the woodlands.

To find out more and to contact the group, visit the Friends of Finchampstead Ridges website.

The group meets monthly on a Saturday or Sunday to work on Watlington Hill, a Site of Special Scientific Interest encompassing chalk downland, scrub and a rare yew wood. Activities include path clearing and revetment, scrub clearance and burning, plus cleaning the unusual folly of the White Mark, which was cut into the chalk by Edward Horner in 1764.

The organisers provide the required tools and refreshments – all you need to do is wear appropriate clothing and footwear and consider bringing a packed lunch if you plan to stay all day.

Anyone who is reasonably active is welcome to join the Friends of Watlington Hill and there is no subscription or minimum commitment. Volunteers don’t have to come every month and can work according to their own ability and timeframe. It is an excellent way socialise with people who share similar interests in nature and conservation while also enjoying the countryside of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

For more information and to join, please email the Friends of Watlington Hill, or call 01491 613362

Maidenhead association meetings include talks on a range of heritage subjects and members can socialise with like-minded people. There are also stalls selling second-hand books, jigsaws and home produce.

For more information and to join the Maidenhead Association, please call 01628 639686 You can also find out more on the Maidenhead Association website.

In the last two years the Marlow Association has donated over £8,000 to National Trust projects and special appeals, with a further £2000 designated for educational projects.

Social events in 2022 include:

• Holidays to the West of Ireland and to Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales

• Monthly excursions to places including Chenies Manor, Crossness London and the National Arboretum in Staffordshire.

The current annual membership fee is £10 per person, which includes a quarterly email newsletter containing details of the Marlow Association's programme, booking forms, and reports. A printed, delivered version of the newsletter is available for an additional £8 per year.

Meetings are normally held on the third Wednesday of every month (except in August). Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Entry costs £2 and there is a raffle and a tea and coffee break, with the evening running until 10pm. Meetings take place at:

Liston Hall
Liston Road
Marlow

The 2022 programme of monthly talks covers topics such as Passports, Assassins, Traitors and Spies; Books and Libraries at the National Trust; and Disraeli – Victoria’s favourite Prime Minister.

New members are always welcome to join this thriving group. For more information about the Marlow Association and to join, please email the MNTA Membership Secretary on membership.marlownta@gmail.com or call 01494 261379

For up-to-date information about MNTA activities and events, visit the Marlow Association website.

Since forming, the MKNTA has raised money to support National Trust projects to maintain buildings, improve properties’ grounds and provide new equipment. In 2021 they donated money to Claydon House to fund the development of the Claydon Reading Room.

Social events include:

• Day trips by coach to National Trust properties and other places of special interest such as Belton House, Hughenden Manor, Ely Cathedral and Basildon Park.

• Holidays (most recently to Wales).

• A New Year lunch

• A summer lunch or afternoon tea

• A Christmas Social.

Anyone can join the MKNTA, whether you are a member of the National Trust or not. Annual membership fees for the year are £16 for the first member and £28 for a couple at the same address.

Members receive four newsletters every year, which include details of upcoming talks, trips and events.

The Milton Keynes Association normally meets on the first Thursday of each month (except January and August) from 2pm to 4pm.

Meetings take place at:

The Oak Tree Centre

Wallinger Drive

Shenley Brook End

Milton Keynes

MK5 7GZ

Lectures, usually illustrated, cover a variety of themes from art and architecture to collections, curios, gardens and personalities. An entry fee of £3 is charged at each meeting, and refreshments are included. Guests are welcome to attend for £4 each.

For more information, please call 01908 388379 or 01908 374881

Throughout the year, members can join organised trips to National Trust places and other houses and gardens of interest. There’s also the chance to take part in theatre visits and social functions.

The funds raised from these activities are shared amongst local National Trust places. Over the years the association has raised many tens of thousands of pounds for the Trust.

To find out more, email the Newbury and District Association on chair@newburynta.org.uk

For an up-to-date programme of events and further contact details, visit the newburynta.org.uk

Members can enjoy a varied programme of events including coach outings from Oxford, lectures and socials. These events provide an opportunity to make new friends and have new experiences, while raising money for the National Trust.

The Oxford Centre also holds a series of monthly winter lectures in Oxford between October and March. In the warmer months there are outings to National Trust properties and other historic houses and gardens, as well as trips to museums, exhibitions and theatres. Members can also join country walks, lunches and tea parties.

New members are always welcome. To find out more and to join, email the Oxford Centre on oxfordcnt@gmail.com. You can also visit the Oxford Centre website.

There are eight afternoon talks during the year, taking place on the second Tuesday of each month, starting at 2pm. The meetings are held at:

Abbey Baptist Church
Abbey Square
RG1 3BE

There are nine evening talks during the year, which take place on the fourth Tuesday of each month, starting at 7.30pm. There’s also an annual quiz night. These meetings are held at:

St Peter’s Church Hall
Church Road
Earley
RG6 1EY

The centre arranges up to 30 excursions throughout the year, visiting National Trust properties and other places of interest. Theatre visits are usually to matinees at provincial theatres (and occasionally London theatres) to see new or interesting productions. The Reading Centre also organises holidays to destinations in the UK and Europe.

Membership is open to all current members of National Trust, National Trust for Scotland, National Trust volunteers and members of National Trust staff. The current annual membership fee is £12 per person and £18 for two people living at the same address.

For more information and to join this friendly and active group, visit the Reading Centre website.

Members of the Wycombe Centre can look forward to a varied programme of events and activities including:

• Monthly evening meetings where speakers provide illustrated talks on a wide variety of subjects

• Regular day trips by coach to National Trust places and other properties, as well as theatre and concert trips

• Monthly organised walks with a lunch break

• Members’ luncheon clubs

• Coffee mornings (free coffee and cakes) with a wide variety of stalls and activities

• A special Christmas meeting

• An annual New Members Tea Party

• An organised 5/6-day holiday in the UK or mainland Europe.

Members receive a copy of the annual programme as well as a newsletter every four months containing reviews, updates and snippets of interesting information.

For more information and to join, please contact our membership secretary 07752 542544