National Trust gardeners are being offered the chance to learn new skills and extend their knowledge in the design, restoration and care of historic gardens in Europe.
During 2009, a group of Trust gardeners will be undertaking personal study abroad and the Trust will host placements in the UK for European gardeners, as part of the Martin McLaren European Gardens Scholarship scheme.
Since 1991, European Gardens scholarships have been made possible to professional gardeners through bursaries offered by Mrs Nancy McLaren in memory of her late husband, Martin. However, through her generosity she has now transferred the scheme to the National Trust with all bursaries offered solely to Trust gardeners and for exchange visits to its gardens.
Mike Calnan, The National Trust’s Head of Gardens, said:
'The Martin McLaren scholarships make it possible for our gardeners to extend their skills and knowledge in topics ranging from conservation and plantsmanship in historic gardens, to interpretation, public involvement and the impact of climate change on gardens.'
He continued:
'The bursaries will allow us to meet the costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence for placements in Europe lasting up to three weeks. They also provide the opportunity for us to host visits from European gardeners to Trust gardens.
'We are immensely grateful to Mrs McLaren for her generosity and for her confidence in the Trust’s ability to carry on the scheme in her husband’s name.'
Mrs McLaren said:
'The National Trust has been involved in the scheme for many years and I feel honoured that it should accept the European Gardens Scholarship. I wish it all possible success.'
National Trust gardeners selected for the scheme in 2009 include those from Lindisfarne, Osterley Park, Shugborough and Nymans. Their areas of study will range from research into 18th-century Swedish garden design to sustainable growing practices in nurseries in Belgium and Holland.
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