A new awards ceremony celebrating rising talent in the land-based and environment sectors is to be hosted by Reaseheath College later this month.

The inaugural Land-based & Environment Learner Awards 2023, organised by Lantra and Landex, will celebrate the talent, successes and achievements of students who have progressed within their industries.

One of the best-known faces of farming and the environment, Countryfile presenter Adam Henson, will host the prestigious ceremony at Reaseheath on November 22. The awards are open to high flying students or apprentices who were on full or part time land-based or environment courses between September 2021 and September 2022.

Nominations have been received from land-based colleges, universities, private training providers and employers throughout the UK.

Our Principal Marcus Clinton, who is current Chair of Landex, commented:

“I’m delighted these inaugural awards are taking place here at Reaseheath. There is so much amazing talent across the network of land-based colleges and universities, which in turn is supporting the land-based and environment sectors and employers with their workforce of tomorrow. Being able to shine a light on and recognise the hard work and achievements of our students will make for a very special evening”.

Reaseheath has five very strong candidates on the shortlist. They are:

Agriculture Cerys Fairclough, who spent the middle year of her Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Agriculture on work placement with the Wynnstay Group PLC and is now a national hardware sales co-ordinator for the group. She is also studying part time for a business degree at the University of South Wales, along with developing her own breeding flock of Blue Faced Leicester ewes.

Animal Care & Management Hannah Sinclair, who graduated  with a BSc (Hons) Zoo Management this summer and is now a keeper at Amazona Zoo in Cromer, Norfolk. She gained practical experience by working at Reaseheath’s mini zoo alongside her studies and also supported many college fund raising and other activities as a member of our Students Association.

Arboriculture Kacper Nowakowski was awarded ‘Most Improved Student’ on our Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture this summer. He works for his family’s business SYL Garden Maintenance and also regularly volunteers at Reaseheath, supporting current arboriculture students. His long term vision is to become a college instructor.

Land Based Engineering Luke Tighe, a top student on our TECH BACC Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Land Based Engineering, is currently studying for his BEng (Hons) Agricultural Engineering at Harper Adams University, with plans to continue onto a Master’s degree. His long term ambition is to work in product support.

Floristry Abby Dewhurst is a former Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Floristry student who has progressed onto our Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry and has also set up her own floral events business, Floral Smiles.

She is also representing Reaseheath at the national WorldSkills UK  finals  at Trafford College,  Manchester on November 15 and 16, in the student category.

Landex (Land Based Colleges & Universities Aspiring to Excellence) is a subscriber organisation with member colleges and universities throughout the UK.

Lantra is the awarding body for land-based and environmental training and qualifications.