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The Finnis Scott Award

Valerie Finnis VMH (1924-2006)
Horticulturist and photographer

Valerie Finnis worked for 30 years at Waterperry Horticultural School for Women and developed specialist knowledge of alpines. in 1961 she was awarded a gold medal by the Royal Horticultural Society for her photographic work. In 1962 the RHS appointed her to the joint rock garden plant committee where she served for 20 years. In 1990 she established the Merlin Trust in memory of her husband's son, helping young gardeners to travel and explore the natural flora of the world. In 1975 she was awarded the RHS's highest accolade, the Victoria Medal of Honour. Her abounding enthusiasm for plants and gardening will be remembered by  all who were fortunate to meet her.  

                                                Muscari 'Valerie Finnis'
                                                                

The Finnis Scott  Award provides a bursary to support short - term opportunities for professional gardeners to experience another garden's working environment for a fixed period of time.  The objective is to develop gardeners' existing skills, or to enable them to learn new skills to enrich their regular work and work place. The award will be granted to gardeners planning a secondment or an exchange.Joint applications between gardens are welcome.

The Award is flexible and can support, for example, loss of earnings, the cost of backfill whilst the beneficiary is away, accommodation, transport costs and travel insurance. The Award may not be used support the purchase of food or photographic equipment nor may it be used to support the study of plants in the wild.

Examples of where the award may be granted:

  • Taking part in a particular task such as pleaching, topiary, bedding
  • Travelling to visit a series of sites that present a similarity e.g. vegetable production, events management, conservation planning
  • Job shadowing a manager, trainer, volunteer guide, contractor
  • Joining a specific project, such as the development of a management plan, installing disability access, tree surveying, managing a wildflower meadow.

In addition to the application form, you may be required to complete further documentation to support the proposal, such as confirmation of loss of earnings or agreement with the host garden.

Application closing date - March 1st each year

The Award is granted annually from the investment income generated by the Finis Scott Fund and is administered by the Professional Gardeners' Guild Trust (registered Charity 1101169) Fundingmay be granted in full or in part, at the discretion of the Trustees.


To download an application form, click here.

To download guidance notes, click here.

If you would like to discuss your ideas in advance of applying, please contact Fiona Dennis, fionadennis@english-heritage.org.uk  Tel. 01737 244 664 Mob. 07867 537945

Please return application forms to the Honorary Secretary.
Kenwyn Pearson, 55, Holmesdale Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9JP.
Tel. 01444 232973 Email: trust@pgg.org.uk