The McLaren Scholarships

The McLaren Scholarships, funded by the Martin McLaren Foundation, are designed to give early career gardeners an opportunity to extend their experience of different gardening styles and to make new connections. They currently operate in association with REEP projects such as Shore to Shore where scholars work together for approximately three weeks on a specific task. Scholarships take place every 2-3 years.

Flags: Morocco, Britain, Spain

The McLaren Scholarships

The McLaren Scholarships, funded by the Martin McLaren Foundation, are designed to give early career gardeners an opportunity to extend their experience of different gardening styles and to make new connections. They currently operate in association with REEP projects such as Shore to Shore where scholars work together for approximately three weeks on a specific task. Scholarships take place every 2-3 years.

Flags: Morocco, Britain, Spain- MOBILE
About the McLaren Scholarship
About the McLaren Scholarship

A new three-way scholarship between the United Kingdom, Morocco and Spain gives opportunities for young people who are interested in gardening, landscape design, history and cultural exchange. Through both innovative Scholarship projects and projects of our partner organisations participants can deepen their practical knowledge and wider cultural understanding – and make new friends in all three countries. We are developing a network of people interested in creating new opportunities for the future and we are using the Scholars’ experience to provide learning for people outside the scheme. The Scholarship itself has grown out of the Martin McLaren Memorial Scholarship, which has been giving opportunities to young British and European gardens since 1989 and is now run by the National Trust.

In each Scholarship event, a young Moroccan, Spaniard and Briton travel together to experience a focused aspect of gardening through visiting and working in historic gardens and other locations. Scholars receive technical training in traditional horticultural techniques and develop knowledge of the use of plants in history.

Scholarship locations:

Round 1 (2016)           England

Round 2 (2018)           Morocco

Round 3 (2020)           Tresco, Isles of Scilly

Round 4 (2023)           Spain

About the McLaren Scholarships

A new three-way scholarship between the United Kingdom, Morocco and Spain gives opportunities for young people who are interested in gardening, landscape design, history and cultural exchange. Through both innovative Scholarship projects and projects of our partner organisations participants can deepen their practical knowledge and wider cultural understanding – and make new friends in all three countries. We are developing a network of people interested in creating new opportunities for the future and we are using the Scholars’ experience to provide learning for people outside the scheme. The Scholarship itself has grown out of the Martin McLaren Memorial Scholarship, which has been giving opportunities to young British and European gardens since 1989 and is now run by the National Trust.

In each Scholarship event, a young Moroccan, Spaniard and Briton travel together to experience a focused aspect of gardening through visiting and working in historic gardens and other locations. Scholars receive technical training in traditional horticultural techniques and develop knowledge of the use of plants in history.

Scholarship locations:

Round 1 (2016)           England

Round 2 (2018)           Morocco

Round 3 (2020)           Tresco, Isles of Scilly

Round 4 (2023)         Spain

The 2016 Scholarship in England

The 2016 McLaren Scholarship took place in England. As this was an important Shakespeare year, the theme closely related to our Anglo-Moroccan Shakespeare project through which we created gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (2015) and Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech (2014). Our scholars explored links between Islamic and European renaissance garden design. They received practical training at five historic gardens, learning traditional horticultural skills, including topiary-clipping, willow-weaving and natural plant supports, rose pruning and care, and fruit pruning and training techniques. At Castle Bromwich Hall Garden, the scholars created an Anglo-Moroccan Spanish planting design based on their shared Scholarship experience.

The 2016 Scholarship in England

The 2016 McLaren Scholarship took place in England. As this was an important Shakespeare year, the theme closely related to our Anglo-Moroccan Shakespeare project through which we created gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (2015) and Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech (2014). Our scholars explored links between Islamic and European renaissance garden design. They received practical training at five historic gardens, learning traditional horticultural skills, including topiary-clipping, willow-weaving and natural plant supports, rose pruning and care, and fruit pruning and training techniques. At Castle Bromwich Hall Garden, the scholars created an Anglo-Moroccan Spanish planting design based on their shared Scholarship experience.

The 2018 Scholarship in Marrakech, Morocco

The 2018 McLaren Scholarship took place at the Foyer de Jeune Filles (Young Women’s Boarding House) in Marrakesh, Morocco, where our Moroccan, Spanish and British scholars worked with the residents to revitalise a recreational area within the grounds. The scholars involved the Foyer residents in their activities throughout the week-long intervention on site which followed a week of exploring Marrakech and environs, purchasing plants, materials and gardening tools which have since been left in the hands of the newly created garden club at the Foyer.

The 2018 Scholarship in Marrakech, Morocco

The 2018 McLaren Scholarship took place at the Foyer de Jeune Filles (Young Women’s Boarding House) in Marrakesh, Morocco, where our Moroccan, Spanish and British scholars worked with the residents to revitalise a recreational area within the grounds. The scholars involved the Foyer residents in their activities throughout the week-long intervention on site which followed a week of exploring Marrakech and environs, purchasing plants, materials and gardening tools which have since been left in the hands of the newly created garden club at the Foyer.

The 2020 Scholarship on Tresco Island, Britain

In 2020 the McLaren Scholarship took place on Tresco Island in Britain’s Scilly Isles, where our Moroccan and Spanish scholars spent two weeks working at Tresco Abbey Gardens. This sub-tropical garden is home to over 20,000 plants from more than 80 countries and was a real haven of plant knowledge for our young gardeners.

The 2020 Scholarship on Tresco Island, Britain

In 2020 the McLaren Scholarship took place on Tresco Island in Britain’s Scilly Isles, where our Moroccan and Spanish scholars spent two weeks working at Tresco Abbey Gardens. This sub-tropical garden is home to over 20,000 plants from more than 80 countries and was a real haven of plant knowledge for our young gardeners.

2022-23: Planning for the Scholarship in Spain

For the first time the Scholarship will take place in Spain. It is planned for 2022-23, based El Jardín del Conde near Salamanca, one of the few extant 19th century new romantic gardens of the Iberian Peninsula. The Scholarship will focus on the restoration of the ‘little English Garden’ while the rest of the garden will be restored as part of a long-term collaborative project. El Jardín del Conde has several other cultural connections that REEP is keen on. It lies next to the famous pilgrim route, the Camino de Santiago. The garden has the potential for providing performance space and its owner, Rosa is a talented artist as well as an experienced gardener.

2022-23: Planning for the Scholarship in Spain

For the first time the Scholarship will take place in Spain. It is planned for 2022-23, based El Jardín del Conde near Salamanca, one of the few extant 19th century new romantic gardens of the Iberian Peninsula. The Scholarship will focus on the restoration of the ‘little English Garden’ while the rest of the garden will be restored as part of a long-term collaborative project. El Jardín del Conde has several other cultural connections that REEP is keen on. It lies next to the famous pilgrim route, the Camino de Santiago. The garden has the potential for providing performance space and its owner, Rosa is a talented artist as well as an experienced gardener.

Scholarship Background
Scholarship Background

The Martin McLaren Foundation was established in memory of a politician who grew up at Munstead (family home of Gertrude Jekyll) and Bodnant (one of the most popular National Trust gardens). Formerly known as the Martin McLaren Memorial Trust, the Foundation has been involved in garden education and exchange for over 30 years through the work of his wife, Nancy McLaren. As Chairman of an Exchange Horticultural Scholarship with the English Speaking Union and the Garden Club of America (GCA), she nurtured many young gardeners and was awarded the GCA’s lifetime achievement medal. This Exchange is now administered by the RHS through its bursaries scheme in conjunction with the GCA.

In 1992, after a tour to an Eastern Europe that was then emerging from communist rule, Nancy responded to requests from Polish gardeners to visit England and formed the Martin McLaren European Gardens Exchange Scheme. Gradually more European countries became involved in these 3-week exchanges for gardeners. Today many of those who run the great gardens of Europe and Britain have reason to be grateful for her vision. Part of the Scholarship was transferred to the National Trust in 2008 where it flourishes, providing opportunities for learning from and with colleagues in Europe.

The REEP McLAREN SCHOLARSHIP is a new venture responding to different climatic, political and social conditions but retaining the spirit of earlier work by inspiring understanding through gardening.

Background

The Martin McLaren Foundation was established in memory of a politician who grew up at Munstead (family home of Gertrude Jekyll) and Bodnant (one of the most popular National Trust gardens). Formerly known as the Martin McLaren Memorial Trust, the Foundation has been involved in garden education and exchange for over 30 years through the work of his wife, Nancy McLaren. As Chairman of an Exchange Horticultural Scholarship with the English Speaking Union and the Garden Club of America (GCA), she nurtured many young gardeners and was awarded the GCA’s lifetime achievement medal. This Exchange is now administered by the RHS through its bursaries scheme in conjunction with the GCA.

In 1992, after a tour to an Eastern Europe that was then emerging from communist rule, Nancy responded to requests from Polish gardeners to visit England and formed the Martin McLaren European Gardens Exchange Scheme. Gradually more European countries became involved in these 3-week exchanges for gardeners. Today many of those who run the great gardens of Europe and Britain have reason to be grateful for her vision. Part of the Scholarship was transferred to the National Trust in 2008 where it flourishes, providing opportunities for learning from and with colleagues in Europe.

The REEP McLAREN SCHOLARSHIP is a new venture responding to different climatic, political and social conditions but retaining the spirit of earlier work by inspiring understanding through gardening.

Nancy McLaren Photo

REEP wishes to pay tribute to Nancy McLaren (d.2020) and her son Richard McLaren who died earlier this year. Both were committed to the objectives of the Foundation and brought flair and imagination to its growth. Many people, especially past Scholars, found that Nancy and Richard became personal friends and, though they will be greatly missed, their influence will continue through the work of the Scholarships.

The late Richard McLaren

REEP wishes to pay tribute to Nancy McLaren (d.2020) and her son Richard McLaren who died earlier this year. Both were committed to the objectives of the Foundation and brought flair and imagination to its growth. Many people, especially past Scholars, found that Nancy and Richard became personal friends and, though they will be greatly missed, their influence will continue through the work of the Scholarships.

Nancy McLaren Photo
The late Richard McLaren

Where are they now?

Just some of our former exchange students

Where are they now?

Some former exchange students

MMMT Scholars: Christopher Jordan, Anna Luengo, Louise Wyman, Mike Calnan
MMMT Scholar: Christopher Jordan, Anna Luengo
MMMT Scholars: Louise Wyman, Mike Calnan
MMMT Scholars: Nigel Dunnett, Chris Beardshaw, Lidia Kluptz, Gerald Luckhurst