Floristry student Megan Troughton will be representing one of Bath’s educational establishments at the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show.
She secured her place at the prestigious five-day flower show after winning the over 25s regional heats at London’s Covent Garden.
The 31-year-old, studying at Bath College, went head-to-head with other trainee florists from around the country to design a winning wedding bouquet. It had to be for a gold medal winner at the Chelsea Flower Show and Megan chose a watering can design.
Megan said: “I really wasn’t expecting to win the regional heat as I was up against so many talented people.
“I couldn’t believe it when they read out my name, I just saw it as a great opportunity to get some feedback on my work.”
The 100th Chelsea flower show in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, from May 21 to 25, is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society and is the highlight of the gardening calendar across the UK.
Megan will have to design an everlasting wreath to celebrate Chelsea’s centenary show in a bid to be crowned Chelsea’s Young Florist of the Year.
The Floristry Level 3 Diploma student from Bristol said: “Being able to exhibit my work at Chelsea is a dream come true, it’s going to be absolutely amazing.
“But I don’t want to get intimated by it all, it is going to feel quite overwhelming but I just plan to try my best and enjoy coming up with an eye-catching design.”
Megan opted for a floristry career after originally training as a theatre designer. She really enjoys putting her creativity to the test and hopes to go on to own her own business.
Megan’s tutor Louise Rawlings added: “We’re all very proud of Megan, she is very talented and has worked exceptionally hard to win a place at Chelsea.”
Megan is the latest success story for City of Bath College’s Floristry Department.
It will be the third year the College has been represented at the Chelsea Flower Show. Hannah Lee won a bronze medal in 2012 in the under 25s section of the Chelsea Florist of the Year competition, and Bethan McGivern won the same honour in 2010.
The College’s Floristry students have also been invited to showcase their talents at this year’s Tatton Park and Hampton Court Flower Shows. They won the chance to enter both shows in the first year they were invited to apply.
