History and Objectives

The original objectives of the Trust are deliberately wide-ranging to allow the Trustees to consider all manner of applications for awards:-

“The objects of the Trust are to advance amongst the public in general and in particular amongst horticulture beneficiaries, education in horticulture and particularly garden centres by the endowment and administration of scholarships and bursaries and the provisions of training and other facilities, including prizes and awards to foster such education.

To assist horticulture beneficiaries to study, research into, gain experience of and engage in, horticulture and to promote the therapeutic value of gardening amongst the elderly or disabled particularly by the encouragement of facilities to enable them enjoy gardening.

The Trust annually gives book awards and trophies to students at various horticultural colleges in recognition of their achievements. The Trust also sponsors horticultural students who otherwise would not be able to afford the tuition and accommodation fees throughout degree or diploma courses.”

How To Apply

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Meanwhile the Dick Allen Scholarship Fund had somewhat more succinct objectives:-

“The Scholarship was formed in 1999 with the object of providing financial assistance to individuals, whose access to further education may be inhibited by financial consideration, attending or wanting to develop careers in retail or commercial horticulture.”

Currently we aim to support students who wish to gain qualifications and further their career in the garden centre or allied industries. Students attending a full or part-time National Diploma, Higher National Diploma or Foundation Degree Course in Horticulture will be considered, although support may also be offered in cases of genuine hardship for other courses.

Consideration will also be given to students looking to further the therapeutic benefits of horticulture to the disabled or elderly. Applicants must be at least 16 years old. Applications from mature students are also encouraged.

Since 2016 The Dick Allen Fund has been used specifically to sponsor a GCA Centre member of staff to attend the annual congress of the International Garden Centre Association. This is announced at the GCA conference in January each year with the lucky recipient being announced by the end of the March prior to the congress.