Bumper year of hand-outs from GCA Trust

THE GARDEN Centre Association (GCA) Trust has just completed its best year ever of approving grants to students of horticulture.

More than £10,000 has been awarded to 10 students studying on a wide range of courses including sustainable horticulture, RHS levels two and three, diplomas in garden design and a BSc in Horticulture.

Sue Allen, Trust Chairman said: “Pershore, Capel Manor, Askham Bryan, Bridgend and Schumacher College Dartington were the colleges involved, ensuring that students across the country benefitted.

“At our recent Trust meeting we also sadly accepted the resignation of Jeffrey Bernhard as the longest standing and one of the original Trustees. He was instrumental in the creation of the Trust in 1987 and over the last 29 years has helped guide the Trust wisely, ensuring its healthy continuation.

“The newly appointed Trustees are Derek Bunker of Alton Garden Centre, Will Armitage, immediate past Chairman of GCA and Rik Tarbatt, who has been the Trust’s treasurer for many years.

“It is hoped that 2016 will continue to see deserving applications for grants, which can be the deciding factor when a student is faced with so many expenses, not least the high course fees. However, the Trust will be putting greater emphasis on courses specifically related to Horticulture rather than Garden Design in the future.

“Without the generous support of donors from within our industry the Trust will be unable to continue its work and we are urging industry members to consider making a donation or bequest to the GCA Trust. For further information contact Pat Adams at the GCA, who is the Trust Administrator, on 0118 930 8918 or email pat@gca.org.uk.”

The object of the Trust is to advance among the general public and, in particular among horticultural students, education in horticulture, and particularly garden centres, by the provision and administration of scholarships and bursaries, including prizes to foster such education. Its aim is to assist horticultural students to study, research into and gain experience of horticulture and landscaping.

For further information, please call Pat Adams at the GCA on 0118 930 8918. Alternatively, please visit www.gca.org.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/pages/GardenCentreAssociation or follow the organisation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GC_Association.

Source : The Garden Centre Association Press Release