The National Gardens Scheme (NGS) and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) are inviting amateur gardeners across England and Wales to apply for funds to support their community horticultural projects.
The fund of more than £100,000 was created in memory of inspirational garden writer and blogger Elspeth Thompson, who died in 2010.
Now in its second year, the Elspeth Thompson Bursary has already funded more than a dozen community projects across the country, including:
• helping vulnerable and socially excluded adults regenerate a communal garden in Cardiff;
• funding the redevelopment of a communal garden in Northumberland;
• providing gardening equipment to a charity in Caerphilly that works with vulnerable and homeless young people;
• setting up a community allotment with special facilities to serve disabled children, the elderly and the wider community.
There is no fixed limit to the size of bursary, and more than one bursary may be awarded in a particular year. For 2013 a record total in excess of £14,000 was awarded across six projects.
Penny Snell, Chairman of the NGS, said: “Although the NGS is a fundraising, grant-giving charity supported by owners of private gardens opening them to the public, one of the positive results of opening gardens is the fostering of a community spirit.
“The Elspeth Thompson Bursaries aim to support community projects and include diverse sections of society through horticulture and a community effort. Community gardening was very close to Elspeth's heart and we are delighted to be able to provide these bursaries in her name in partnership with the RHS.”
Jim Gardiner, Director of Horticulture at the RHS, said: “We know that gardening has the power to bring communities together – the huge success of RHS Britain in Bloom and its sister project RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood proves that.”
“That’s why I urge all amateur gardeners to apply for an Elspeth Thompson Bursary to help inspire more people to develop a passion for horticulture and share their love of gardening, and the far-reaching benefits it provides to the entire community.”
To apply for the Elspeth Thompson Bursary please contact Lizanne Gomez, RHS Bursaries Manager at ngsbursary@rhs.org.uk or call on 01483 479719.
Applications, which are administered by the RHS, must be submitted by 31 December 2013.
For more information, please contact Garfield Myrie in the RHS Press Office on 020 7821 3060 or email garfieldmyrie@rhs.org.uk
About RHS Britain in Bloom
RHS Britain in Bloom is the UK’s largest community gardening campaign, involving more than 300,000 people.
As part of RHS Britain in Bloom – and its sister campaign, RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood – volunteers in cities, towns, villages, urban communities and neighbourhoods work together to improve their local environment, using gardening as a tool.
To find out more, visit: www.rhs.org.uk/communities
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