WE LICENSED Longfield for their charity fund raising event on Minchinhampton Common on June 19, and did reduce the fee after they raised concerns about the costs.

Longfield does important work and this is a large event for the commons.

The National Trust, as a conservation charity, relies on membership, donations, and income from our properties to fund our work. We operate a licence fees to help our under-funded countryside sites such as Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons to generate income.

Because it is common land, all land grants go to the graziers. The Trust has to find £65,000 every year to meet the annual running costs essential to keep the commons in such good condition, full of wildlife interest and open for everybody to come out to enjoy.

Our fees, charged to commercial and charity groups making money from using National Trust land, are in line with those charged by many other landowners, large and small.

We charge a scale of fees depending on the size of the event, which cover the cost of the licences, ranger times and the on-going upkeep of the commons. The events contribute towards the future conservation of our special places forever, for everyone.

Longfields are charging £15 per person – we have asked for just £1 per person.

If you want to take the dog out for a walk, take your kids out for a picnic and to fly kites, access to the commons is free. If you want to organise an event which will make or raise money, we require a licence fee so that your commercial use of the commons gives a little back to their upkeep.

Simon Larkins

General Manager for the Heart of the Cotswolds and North Somerset National Trust South West