Transport Trust announces new Royal Patron and re-branding

Pictured above: All the above have benefited from the Trust’s help, clockwise from top left: Welsh Highland Railway; the world’s last flying Fairey Gannet; the steam yacht Gondola; and land speed record-breaking car BABS

The Transport Trust, the registered charity dedicated to the preservation of the UK’s transport heritage, has announced that Anne, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, is to become its new Royal Patron. The organisation has also been rebranded National Transport Trust (NTT) to reflect its growing and evolving nationwide role. As the umbrella organisation for all forms of transport preservation across the UK, the NTT promotes, encourages and supports the nation’s transport heritage in all its many guises, while further developing its reach and links with preservationists, stakeholders and the general public throughout the UK.

“We are delighted to welcome our new Royal Patron, The Princess Royal, who through her associations with the Worshipful Company of Carmen, Aerospace Bristol and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, among others, has excellent connections to the world of transport,” comments NTT Chief Executive Stuart Wilkinson. “In addition to greeting The Princess Royal, I would also like to pay tribute to HRH Prince Michael of Kent, whose participation as Royal Patron over the past 43 years has been instrumental in the development and success of our organisation.

“Today, NTT is the sole body representing the nation’s entire transport heritage in all its various guises – road, rail, water and air. The UK’s transport preservation movement comprises a diverse list of participants, ranging from major museums and trusts through to small societies and individuals. There is naturally a great geographical spread between these groups, and as we have evolved our involvement as a coordinating body has grown too. By forging links and building relationships we offer a common platform for all and provide a single point of contact for anyone seeking information, expertise or advice on any particular form of transport preservation.

“We also operate a number of schemes to promote and encourage our transport heritage, such as our Red Wheel programme which sees commemorative red plaques displayed at historic sites around the UK and as such are the transport equivalent of the country’s familiar blue plaques. We also recognise and reward achievement through our annual Restoration Awards, Preservationist of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award schemes, as well as provide short-term loans to assist with ongoing projects. With transport heritage an increasingly popular leisure activity – both for those involved and the public at large – we look forward to continuing our work and further developing the range of services we offer.”