The National Trust Reaches GBP2.7 Million Target to Save The Procession to Calvary

SWINDON, England, January 13, 2011 - The National Trust, the Art Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund
(NHMF) are delighted to announce that Pieter Brueghel the Younger's 'The
Procession to Calvary' has been saved for the nation after an intensive three
month fundraising campaign.

The GBP2.72 million total was announced with the news of the NHMF grant
of GBP1,034,000. Along with the Art Fund's GBP500,000 grant that kick started
the appeal, over GBP680,000 from members of the public - many of whom were
Art Fund and National Trust members - and nearly GBP510,000 from trusts and
foundations, 'The Procession to Calvary' can now be kept on public display at
Nostell Priory in West Yorkshire.

In September, the Art Fund and the National Trust launched a joint
fundraising appeal to save 'The Procession to Calvary'. The painting is the
star attraction at Nostell Priory, owned by the National Trust since 1954,
where it has hung for over 200 years. The painting was put up for sale by its
owner, Lord St Oswald, with the risk of being lost from public view.

Completed in 1602, and amongst Brueghel the Younger's finest works, 'The
Procession to Calvary' (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-news/w-latest_news/w-news-brueghelnostell/nostellgalleries.htm)
shows Christ carrying the cross on the way
to his crucifixion. He is surrounded by over two hundred figures in a vibrant
narrative, set in a contemporary Flemish landscape.

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Dr Stephen Deuchar, director of the Art Fund, said: "We have been bowled
over by the support and enthusiasm of the public for this quite extraordinary
painting, helping us to reach the GBP2.7 million target. Considering the
economic climate, this has been a hugely challenging campaign and we are
enormously grateful to all our members and supporters who have given so
generously."

Dame Fiona Reynolds, director-general of the National Trust, commented:
"This is wonderful news and a marvellous start to the new year with the
knowledge that Nostell Priory's star attraction will stay where it belongs
and continue to be enjoyed by visitors. We want to thank everyone who has
supported this campaign to save 'The Procession to Calvary', especially the
National Heritage Memorial Fund for enabling us to reach our target. And our
special thanks go to the Art Fund for their generous donation that
kick-started the campaign and who have worked tirelessly with us throughout
the last three months to secure the future of this wonderful painting."

Dame Jenny Abramsky, chair of the NHMF, added: "The overwhelming public
support to help secure this stunning painting has been an inspiration.
Individual donations (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trust/w-support/w-donations.htm)
combined with on-going support from government funds such as the National
Heritage Memorial Fund, will play an increasingly important role in securing
our most precious heritage."

The Art Fund and the National Trust would like to thank the National
Gallery and York Art Gallery for their support throughout the campaign in
enabling the public to view the work in their spaces.

The painting will return to Nostell Priory and be on display from the end
of February 2011, when the house opens once again to the public.

About the National Trust:

The National Trust cares for 300 inspiring historic houses and gardens
across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. From former workers' cottages to
the most iconic stately homes, and from mines and mills to theatres and inns,
the stories of people and their heritage are at the heart of everything it
does. People of all ages, individuals, schools and communities, get involved
each year with its projects, events and working holidays and 61,000
volunteers help to bring the properties alive for the millions of people who
visit our places each year.

The National Trust offers a number of activities such as cycle paths,
rainy day fun (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-visits-rainy-day-fun-2.htm),
walks, days out in Yorkshire (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-daysout/w-daysout-area/w-daysout-yorkshire.htm)
and historic gardens.

    Press Contact:
    Mike Collins
    Senior Press Officer
    The National Trust
    Heelis
    Kemble Drive
    Swindon
    Wiltshire
    SN2 2NA
    +44(0)1793-817708

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Press Contact: Mike Collins, Senior Press Officer, The National Trust, Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 2NA, +44(0)1793-817708