18-year-old apprentice wins South West landscape student award

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 7 Oct, 06:15 · Archive

Finlay Lisk, 18, has been named the South West's top landscape student in the BALI Chalk Fund awards.

Finlay Lisk, 18, has been named the South West's top landscape student through the 2026 BALI Chalk Fund Landscape Student of the Year Awards. He is studying for a Level 2 Horticulture Operative apprenticeship at Wiltshire College & University Centre's Lackham campus. Regional winners in the scheme, which celebrates outstanding students in landscape, horticulture and garden design across the UK, receive a £100 cash prize and certificate.

Mr Lisk said he was 'really pleased' to win and that 'it's nice to know the work I've been putting in has been recognised'. He added that he is saving for a car and the prize money will 'definitely help'.

His path into horticulture began during a Year 10 work experience placement at Somerset Lavender Farm, a family-run business. He continued working there every Saturday and later spent a gap year at the farm. He now works four days a week at Somerset Lavender Farm and spends one day studying at Lackham.

Before choosing horticulture, Mr Lisk started an engineering course at sixth form but quickly realised it was not the right fit. He said he wanted something 'more practical and physical' and that when he did his work experience in engineering, he realised he 'didn't like being in an office all day'. He noted he was 'already working here at the lavender farm' and had 'always enjoyed gardening at home, so horticulture just felt like the right direction'.

Chris Green, who runs Somerset Lavender Farm and is a former Lackham student, said that taking on an apprentice initially felt like a big commitment, describing it as 'quite scary at first'.

How it is being reported

• 18-year-old apprentice named South West's top landscape studentAn apprentice has been named the South West’s top landscape student after winning a prestigious awardGazette & Herald · 7 Oct, 05:00
• 18-year-old apprentice named South West's top landscape studentAn apprentice has been named the South West’s top landscape student after winning a prestigious awardWiltshire Times · 7 Oct, 05:00
• 18-year-old apprentice named South West's top landscape studentAn apprentice has been named the South West’s top landscape student after winning a prestigious awardSwindon Advertiser · 7 Oct, 05:00
• 18-year-old apprentice named South West's top landscape studentAn apprentice has been named the South West’s top landscape student after winning a prestigious awardThis Is Wiltshire · 7 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Finlay Lisk · Somerset Lavender Farm · Wiltshire College & University Centre · Chris Green · BALI Chalk Fund

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