Fury over National Trust's 'ultra-woke' plans to teach children aged 5 about Black Power... in cookie baking workshops

Published: 17:00 EDT, 10 October 2026 | Updated: 18:42 EDT, 10 October 2026 The National Trust has sparked renewed uproar by announcing 'ultra–woke' plans to teach children as young as five about the controversial Black Power salute – during a baking workshop.The initiative forms part of a series of events to mark Black History month. It will involve children aged five to 12 being taught about the origins of the salute at the 1968 Olympics during a 'fun and educational' baking session at Morden Hall Park, a National Trust property in south London.Critics have branded the plans 'pathetic' and said it was further proof that the charity had lost sight of its founding principles to protect the UK's historic heritage.Cornelia van der Poll, of campaign group Restore Trust, which has criticised the National Trust for pursuing an increasingly 'woke' political agenda, said any link between the US civil rights movement and Morden Hall Park was 'highly contrived'.She said: 'Teaching children about a Black Power salute is not relevant to this particular property and it's not relevant to what the National Trust does.'Much as we might sympathise and we do sympathise with civil rights in America, nevertheless it is a political subject... When you emphasise the political at the cost of everything else, you end up short–changing [children] on the actual relevant history.'Describing the National Trust as 'ultra–woke', historian Andrew Roberts said it was 'sad, pathetic but wholly predictable' that the charity 'won't even let five–year–olds bake cakes on their premises without taking the opportunity to force Left–wing propaganda down their throats'.The Trust's website says children attending the baking session will 'learn about the inspiring story of Olympic athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos and their iconic Black Power salute'. They will then be assisted to make and bake their own 'Olympic Gold Cookies'. Morden Hall Park in Morden, in south London, where children aged five to 12 are set to be taught about the Black Power salute as part of a series of events to mark Black History month Tommie Smith, centre, and John Carlos raise gloved hands skyward in protest during the playing of national anthem after Smith received the gold and Carlos the bronze for the 200 meter run at the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico CityThe 200m sprinters raised their black–gloved fists on the podium at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics during the playing of the American national anthem to protest systemic racism and institutional segregation in the US. The salute has become an enduring icon of the civil rights movement.The only link between slavery and Morden Hall Park is that the family who owned it had a business processing snuff, Ms Van der Poll said.'What the National Trust is trying to do is tell people of African descent that this is particularly relevant to them, assigning them victim status,' she said.'It is treating black people as a group rather than as individuals who might be interested in the historic properties.'A National Trust spokesman said: 'We provide opportunities for people of all ages to explore the people, events and ideas that have shaped history and the world we live in today.'This Black History Month, activities taking place across the National Trust cover 18th to 20th–century history.'At Morden Hall Park, people can hear about the 1968 Olympics and how they became such a significant moment in modern history.'An unnamed member of the National Trust said: 'I think it would be best for all concerned if the Trust just allowed the kids a chance to bake. The Trust should be teaching the children about the property, not about Black Power.'