according to a blueprint released by the organisation.

After three years of research and background work, the Trust now has its own "strategic plan'' to map out the way forward -- and central is the need to educate adults and children alike about its work.

The plan was initiated by Ian Kennaway, a retired employee of the National Trust of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. He said the strongest message he received during his research was the need for the Trust to develop comprehensive educational programmes.

The Trust recognised that developing and delivering high quality educational programmes would require dedicated resources, most likely a new staff member.

In addition, the Trust realised that although it conducted research, communicating and making the information available was not as efficient as it should be.

The Trust's education and task force has outlined several strategies to ensure education will become a priority and recognised they cannot ask people to protect what they do not understand.

At a meeting held last week vice president Wayne Carey outlined the plan and examined what the Trust hoped to accomplish during the next three years.

During the meeting the Trust agreed education should be a priority for the trust, and appointed an education committee.

The Trust has also established an education officer to develop and implement education programmes.

The educational programmes will seek to address all markets including children and adults and include all facets of the trust, e.g. historical and environmental.

The programmes will also find ways to make existing resources more appealing and develop exhibits that are suited to school children.