Valerie Finnis
Encyclopedia
Valerie Finnis was a well known British photographer and gardener. She was born in Crowborough, Sussex, daughter of a naval officer, Steriker Finnis, and gardener Constance Finnis. She attended Hayes Court school in Kent and Downe House school in Berkshire. In 1968 she met retired diplomat and plantsman David Scott who she married in 1970 and with whom she lived, gardening together until his death in 1986. In 1990 she set up the Merlin Trust, named after David Scott's son Merlin who was killed in the second world war, aged 22. The Merlin Trust assists young horticulturists to travel and gain experience.
, and helped make it a famous horticultural institution.
in 1975 by the Royal Horticultural Society
.
Waterperry
For 28 years Valerie Finnis was associated with Waterperry Horticultural School for Women, at Waterperry House, situated just outside Oxford. She first went to Waterperry in 1942, aged 18, at which time it was run by Beatrix HavergalBeatrix Havergal
Beatrix Havergal was an English horticulturist.In 1932 Beatrix Havergal founded Waterperry School of Horticulture, a residential horticultural college for women. For many years Havergal won gold medal for her exhibit of Royal Sovereign strawberries at Chelsea Flower Show...
, and helped make it a famous horticultural institution.
Awards
She was awarded the Victoria Medal of HonourVictoria Medal of Honour
The Victoria Medal of Honour is awarded to British horticulturists resident in the United Kingdom whom the Royal Horticultural Society Council considers deserving of special honour by the Society...
in 1975 by the Royal Horticultural Society
Royal Horticultural Society
The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 in London, England as the Horticultural Society of London, and gained its present name in a Royal Charter granted in 1861 by Prince Albert...
.