Dear Mr Snowden Thank you for your email.

The National Trust has recently released a statement regarding the information provided at the Giants Causeway. I have provided a copy of the statement and FAQs that my be relevant to you. If the information is not of relevance, please contact the regional office direct at ni.customerenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk where a member of staff will help address your concerns. The Giants Causeway visitor centre provides a state-of-the-art exhibition area which showcases the science and the stories of the Giants Causeway. All of the information presented to visitors in relation to how the Giants Causeway was formed, and how old it is, clearly reflects mainstream scientific understanding that the Causeway stones were formed 60 million years ago. For centuries the Giants Causeway has prompted debate about how it was formed and how old it is. One of the exhibits in the Giants Causeway visitor centre tells the story of the part the Giants Causeway played in the historic debate about how the earths rocks were formed and about the age of the earth. In this exhibit we also state that for some people this debate continues today. A National Trust spokesperson said: The interpretation in the visitor centre showcases the science of how the stones were formed, the history of this special place and the stories of local characters. We reflect, in a small part of the exhibition, that the Causeway played a role in the historic debate about the formation of the earth, and that for some people this debate continues today. The National Trust fully supports the scientific explanation for the creation of the stones 60 million years ago. We would encourage people to come along, view the interpretation and judge for themselves. FAQs Q. Is there a debate about the age of the earth - why is NT suggesting science is up for debate?

A. No, there is no debate on the age of the earth. The National Trust fully supports and promotes the science in relation to the formation of the Giants Causeway and the age of the earth. All of the information presented to visitors in relation to how the Giants Causeway was formed, and how old it is, clearly reflects science and that the Causeway stones are 60 million years old. Q. What does the controversial interpretation refer to ? A. In summary, one of the exhibits in the Giants Causeway visitor centre interpretation tells the story of the part the Giants Causeway played in the historical debate which took place about how the earths rocks were formed and about the age of the earth. The detail of the exhibit which sparked the discussion consists of five different audio samples triggered by buttons. It is designed to give a flavour of the historical debates there have been over the Causeways formation starting with arguments between Sir Thomas Molyneux and a mystery correspondent (probably George Ashe) over whether the columns were fossil or mineral. The next clip sets out a flavour of the argument between Vulcanists and Neptunists. The next clip details how James Huttons work opened the way for definitive proof of an ancient earth. The forth clip mentions a theory published in the 1800s that the Causeway was fossilised bamboo. Then the final clip states that Young Earth Creationists wish to continue the debate today, as they believe the earth is only 6000 years old. The National Trust does not support this view. Q. What is in the visitor centre ? A. We have an amazing visitor centre with fantastic facilities, walking trails, and the interpretation includes many themes and topics. These include science, geology, wildlife, history and myths and legends and stories of local characters, past and present. Please see the attachment of the Welcome Leaflet on the email body. Q. Will we be changing the exhibition? A. The entire interpretation in the Visitor Centre has just been installed. We have no plans to change this exhibit at present. Q. What is the National Trusts relationship with the Caleb Foundation A. Caleb is an organisation which expressed interest in our plans for the Visitor Centre interpretation. As part of the consultation process on the development of the Interpretation we met with a wide range of groups international visitors, community, funders, scientific community and Caleb was only one of those groups. We met with Caleb and discussed our plans for visitor centre interpretation as we did with many groups.

Q. Did the National Trust receive any funding from Caleb? A. No. Q. Did the National Trust take any wording from Caleb ? A. None of the language in the interpretation came from the Caleb Foundation Q. Why did you only consult with Caleb groups as your religious group ? A. We did not only consult with Caleb in the process. The consultation process was with a wide range of stakeholders, including radio and press adverts to stimulate awareness. Caleb responded in the consultation process. We simply reference in a small part of the interpretation that they hold a different view from science but the National Trust does not support or endorse this view. Q. This interpretation makes the Visitor Centre unsuitable for children/education visits A. All of the information on how the Giants Causeway was formed and how old it is reflects science: i.e. that it is around 60 million years old. The interpretation in the Visitor Centre is very child friendly and suitable for education visits. The National Trust fully supports and promotes the science in relation to the formation of the Giants Causeway. Q. Does the National Trust have any plans to change interpretation at other sites to reflect the Creationist perspective? A. No. The exhibit at the Giants Causeway is specific to that site and tells the story of the part the Causeway played in the historical debate which took place about how the earths rocks were formed and about the age of the earth. Q. Was the National Trust under pressure from political parties to include Creationist perspective in the centre ? A. This is not a creationist exhibition. We undertook an extensive consultation process with a range of stakeholders, including the local community, international and domestic visitors, the scientific community and political stakeholders. These consultations informed the National Trusts decisions on the interpretive content of the entire exhibition. We the National Trust took the decision to include the exhibit in question in the interpretation. Q. Was funding for the Creationist perspective funded by government money ? A. It is not a creationist representation within the Giants Causeway visitor centre we simply reference that Creationists have a different perspective we do not explain, support or justify those views. The 18.5 million project for the new facilities, interpretation and trails was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund

(3million), 9.25million from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board with support from the European Union Regional Development fund and 6.25 million from the National Trust. Our interpretation was supported within this overall package. Q. Why is the Creationist perspective used in the centre ? A. It is not a creationist representation within the Giants Causeway visitor centre we simply reference that Creationist have a different perspective we do not explain support or justify those views One of the exhibits in the Giants Causeway visitor centre interpretation tells the story of the part the Giants Causeway played in the historical debate which took place about how the earths rocks were formed and about the age of the earth. This is an interactive, audio exhibit in which visitors can hear a flavour of some of the different debates from historical characters. In this exhibit we also acknowledge that for some people this debate continues today, and we simply reference the fact that Creationists have a different perspective from that of science. We do not support or endorse their views. Q. Were the funders aware of this inclusion ? A. We kept all the funders abreast of the full interpretative approach and content during its development. Q. Can I still access the stones for free ? A. Anyone entering the site on foot has free access to the stones and linked path network.

Kind Regards, Katie Smith Membership Department

---- Original Message ---As long standing member of the National Trust I want to register my concern to the creationist references at the new Giant's Causeway visitors centre.It is obviously reasonably to reference the role that the area provided in historical debates. It is also mat be reasonable to have a sentence to say that some people persist in those beliefs to this day. I don't see that approach being adopted at some of your sites which have a witchcraft connection by the way so his seems a little inconstant, but OK. However, having checked out the wording it goes way beyond this, referencing the name of the the Young Creationists and using a form of words that goes along with the "all theories are valid" nonsense. I am also appalled that you worked with the Caleb Foundation to agree wording - assuming the press reports to be correct. In effect you have handed a propaganda coup to said foundation.

I hope that the wording will be altered, and there will be no continuation of these 'negotiations' at sites of scientific significance.

Dave Snowden Founder & Chief Scientific Officer Cognitive Edge Pte Ltd