What's not to like about the National Trust?
Saving all those grand buildings for the nation. Apart, maybe, from the niggling thought that the mansions and stately homes were built from the proceeds of the sweat and, often, blood of the downtrodden working class.
The latest National Trust (of England) acquisition to open to the public is the house from the Big Brother TV series.
So, no sweat or blood involved in the erection of this property but many brain cells shed by participants and viewers.
The National Trust has been accused of dumbing down. But it is merely moving with the times in recognising the significance of this unreality show and how it changed British society for ever.
I didn't actually see much of Big Brother but I heard a lot about it from other people before I could switch off my hearing aid.
I don't do visits to stately homes or other heritage sites unless there are canapes and a glass of something involved. Or better still a dinner and a bit of dancing. I could be persuaded to go along and appreciate the historic ambience of the Big Brother house.
It did seem to have a party atmosphere with a fair amount of strong drink swilling about. But only if I get to wear George Galloway's cat suit and get stroked by Rula Lenska (of fond memory from her role as a leather-clad chick in the TV series Rock Follies).
And also on condition that Gorgeous George gives me one of his large Havana cigars.
I would avoid the famous Diary Room. I spent 20 years or so writing the Herald Diary. Far too often when I was enjoying the late stages of a long lunch, there would be an order from Big Brother at the office: "Would Tom Shields return immediately to the Diary Room."
Saving the Big Brother house for the nation is only the start. The only way with Essex is to turn the entire county into a site of special sociological interest.
The World Wildlife Fund should preserve that bit of I'm A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here jungle. With Ant and Dec stuffed and mounted for posterity. Soon would be good.
What about Scotland's televisual sites of national importance? Sadly, it's too late to save the original Scotsport studio.
But at least Arthur Montford's iconic tweed jaiket remains among the relics at the Scottish Football Museum.
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