Yorkshire Bank Encourages Families to Save Time for Fun

23rd April 2008

• 24% of families spend no time together outdoors
• 22% of people spend no money on family leisure time
• Top outdoor activity is walking in the park

NEARLY a quarter of all families in England have admitted to spending no time with their loved ones on outdoor activities. Results of a new Yorkshire Bank survey also showed that 22% spend no money at all on family leisure time.

The research revealed that over half of respondents spend less than two hours each week with their relatives, and 24% spend no time at all in the great outdoors with their nearest and dearest. The survey highlights that as a nation, family outings to the great outdoors are diminishing and people are not making the most of England’s alfresco opportunities.

Yorkshire Bank, sponsors of the National Trust’s Outdoor Programme which supports conservation, environmental and engagement activities in National Trust gardens, commissioned the survey of 1000 people to investigate how often families are venturing outdoors for anything from a visit to an outdoor attraction, to a simple walk or trip to the local park.

Yorkshire Bank executive, Glenn King, said: “We were astonished at the survey results as they seemed to show that families are spending very little time together. Today’s lifestyle can make it difficult for families to save time for each other. However, working with the National Trust, we want to change this by encouraging people to spend more time outside, and less on sedentary activities such as computer games and watching TV. With spring now here, we can use the better weather as an excuse to get out and about – whether to a National Trust garden or a visit to a theme park!”

As well as looking at the time and money spent on family outdoor activities, the survey examined what leisure pursuits people took part in on a regular basis. Topping the poll at 61% was going for a walk, with 44% spending time in their own gardens, 35% regularly heading for the park, 30% going sightseeing and 13% frequently visiting National Trust properties across the country.

David Ronn, Regional Director of the National Trust for Yorkshire and the North East, said: “Our properties offer a huge variety of gardens and parkland perfect for exploring wildlife, or simply spaces in which to relax and enjoy a picnic - there’s something to suit every family. Throughout the year we offer plenty of garden-related activities that mean families can combine great fun with learning opportunities, not least around how to enjoy and respect the environment and protect the future of our planet.”

Through its sponsorship of the National Trust’s Outdoor Programme, Yorkshire Bank funds environmental initiatives encouraging staff and customers to get involved in the wider community and take part in volunteering projects across the National Trust’s 200 historic gardens. The funding supports new family outdoor activities at National Trust properties and takes forward work on improving the way both the Trust and its visitors can maintain gardens and outdoors spaces in more environmentally sustainable ways. During the three-year sponsorship programme, which commenced in September 2007, the Bank will also fund a groundbreaking plant survey project enabling the Trust to understand the huge variety of species it has in its gardens. The partnership plays an integral part of the Bank’s commitment to protecting the environment, including an ongoing drive to reduce its Carbon Footprint.

To find out what’s on at a National Trust property near you, please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events

Notes to editor
Research conducted on behalf of Yorkshire Bank by Tickbox.net. on a sample of 1000 people during March 2008.

About Yorkshire Bank

Yorkshire Bank was founded in 1859 in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Yorkshire Bank has 190 retail branches, a strong personal customer base and a growing business capability in the North of England and the Midlands. Yorkshire Bank is a trading name of Clydesdale Bank plc, a subsidiary of the National Australia Bank Group of companies. Yorkshire Bank joined the Group in 1990. In 2006, Yorkshire Bank was voted the UK's 'Best Business Bank' by the Forum of Private Business.

About the National Trust
The National Trust is Europe’s biggest conservation organisation and looks after special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland for ever, for everyone. With 3.5 million members, more than 49,000 volunteers, 500,000 school children, and millions of visitors, donors and supporters help the Trust look after 300 historic houses and gardens, 700 miles of coastline and 250,000 hectares of open countryside.

For more information on the National Trust’s Outdoor Programme sponsored by Yorkshire Bank, go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk and visit the Corporate Partners page

For more information, contact:
Kate McCheyne, at The BIG Partnership, on 0141 333 9585 / 07766076469 or email kate.mccheyne@bigpartnership.co.uk

OR

Gillian Hamilton, at The BIG Partnership, on 0141 333 9585 / 07734 656 676 or email gillian.hamilton@bigpartnership.co.uk