Two students from Merrist Wood College and University Centre have been recognised for their outstanding achievements in landscape construction and garden design by the , which provides funding and bursaries for skills development across the landscape industry.
Ryan Conlan was awarded Best Landscape Student, while Charlie White received the Best Garden Design Student accolade. Both students received certificates and a cash prize of 拢100 each at the end of July.
As a member of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), Merrist Wood College and University Centre was invited to nominate students for the BALI Chalk Fund Best Student of the Year 2023 competition. This annual award celebrates students excelling in landscape and garden design courses, with awards presented to those studying Level 2 and above in hard and soft landscaping, horticulture, or garden design.
Recognising Excellence in Landscape and Garden Design
The competition consists of two stages. In the first stage, BALI member colleges and training providers nominate their top-performing students in landscape and garden design. These nominees are then assessed by the BALI Chalk Fund trustees, who select the National Students of the Year in both disciplines.
Winners of the national award will be invited to attend the prestigious BALI National Landscape Awards in December, where they will receive a further 拢500 cash prize, and their college will receive an additional 拢500.
Ryan, who recently completed his Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Horticulture, not only clinched the Practical Student of the Year title at Merrist Wood but was also named Best Landscape Student by the BALI Chalk Fund.
Ryan鈥檚 exemplary performance in his studies and work experience placement with award winning landscape company, Landform Consultants, from September 2023 to July 2024 led to a full-time role in the company鈥檚 landscaping division. Ryan鈥檚 professional attitude, work ethic, and passion for learning have made him a valued team member at Landform, which is a Gold Champion of the BALI Chalk Fund.
Charlie White, who also completed a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Landscaping, is now employed full time at Outdoor Options, another award winning landscape company, and his college work experience placement since September 2022. Charlie also claimed the Top Student Award for Garden Design at the Merrist Wood end of year awards in July.
Both students were part of the award-winning team that earned accolades at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair College Gardens competition in both 2023 and 2024.
The BALI Chalk Fund’s awards highlight the achievements of students who are set to make a significant impact in the landscaping and garden design industries. The college community eagerly awaits the announcement of the national competition winners later this year.
A Bright Future Ahead
Richard Cant, Curriculum Manager of Landbased subjects at Merrist Wood College and University Centre, said: 鈥淲e are incredibly proud of Ryan and Charlie鈥檚 achievements and the recognition they鈥檝e received from BALI.
鈥淭hese awards highlight their dedication, hard work, and passion for their chosen fields. It鈥檚 a testament to the quality of education and training we provide at Merrist Wood College and University Centre, and we鈥檙e excited to see what they will accomplish in their careers.
鈥淏oth students have shown remarkable talent, and I have no doubt they will make significant contributions to the horticulture and landscaping industries in the years to come.鈥�
