Most of the NT's work is on 'other land'. I'm one of a large number of people who drifted into conservation work in the 1980s, through the Conservation Volunteers, so I'm not connected to the 'County Set' who hunt.
There are a number of people with similar experiences in AUK, as cycling and conservation were both 'Big in the 80s'. The path taken by 'The Conservation Volunteers ' is interesting. It got drawn into employment and social issues, and its previous role is now undertaken by NT and the Wildlife Trusts.
The pathway to abandonment of core purpose seems to start with politicisation, and proceeds to increasing commercialisation, via a rebranding. CTC is another example. It naffs of the old guard, but the activists who generated change don't like administration, and the organisation falls into the hands of 'professionals'. Often the bank balance falls as the organisation attempts to be inclusive, relevant, and finally, 'resilient', which seems to be code for 'almost bankrupt'.
I'll follow this story with interest.