Grants & Bursaries

The Trust offers grants for conservation and similar projects and to support horticultural activities in schools as well as bursaries to help with research and academic and practical training. We have recently made grants of £1000 each to the Otterhead Estate Trust and to Hestercombe Gardens.

A bursary of £600 was given to a Somerset resident who had been awarded a gardening scholarship by the National Trust and who wished to combine work at Knightshayes Court with part-time study for a Level 2 Certificate in horticulture at Bicton College.  A further bursary of £500 was given to another Somerset resi­dent towards the cost of working in Nicaragua for a year with Project Bona Fide . The Trust has also made a grant of £2000 towards the pur­chase of books for the use of students joining the new Foundation degree in Garden History and Heritage Horticulture that is being offered by Hestercombe and Yeovil College.

The work of the Education Group is ever increasing with many schools receiving grants during the year to help with a wide range of projects. A list of the schools we have assisted can be found on the Education Group page.

The conservation and the restoration of historic parks and gardens, and the education of the public with matters connected with Garden Landscapes are key objectives of the Trust, and the grants and bursaries we offer are designed to help us implement those objectives. It is surprising, particular­ly in the present financial climate, that with the exception of the educational grants, we receive so few requests for help.  Please spread the word that we can do so.  Further details from the Hon. Secretary at info@somersetgardenstrust.org.uk or download a copy of the Small Grants scheme application form