Students 'privileged' to be showing at Chelsea

A group of floristry students have said it was a "massive privilege" to be able to showcase their talents at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

The delegation from Doncaster College created a design titled "Colour My World" which consists of six woven willow globes and a vibrant mix of flowers, recycled elements and hidden glass jars.

Each section has been individually designed and features houseplants such as tillandsias alongside garden varieties including foxgloves and geraniums.

Tutor Jade Loftus said she was "so proud" of her students, adding: "They have really gone above and beyond everything I expected."

Doncaster College was invited to send a delegation to the show in December, which they described as a "big deal" for the department.

Six students were selected to travel to London to help with the installation.

One of them was Ellie Davey, who said the process had been an "eye-opener".

"It's been a massive privilege," she said.

"You don't realise how much stuff you can actually do with flowers or plants - anything really.

"And some of the techniques and how people's minds work to create something like that is incredible."

Ms Loftus, who has also been selected for the highly competitive Floral Creation category, said she was really pleased with her students' display, which she described as a homage to floristry.

"We've achieved it and I feel like we are doing it for Doncaster."

Also from Doncaster is Rachel Kennedy, who designed this year's RHS letters installation.

The co-founder of Acacia Creative Studio floral designers in Rossington said this year's theme was "tropical", with the colour scheme running from yellow, through oranges, into reds and pinks.

"It's just full of different movement and texture throughout," she said.

The letters can be admired at the show from Tuesday to Saturday.

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