East Durham College set to Showcase Talent at World-Renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Scott Bullock, Principal and Chief Executive of East Durham College

From Classroom to Chelsea … East Durham College has earned the coveted opportunity to showcase its talent at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the pinnacle of international horticulture.

 

The Floristry team based at the College’s Houghall Campus in Durham, will be represented at Chelsea by twelve students from Levels 1, 2 and 3 who’ll attend alongside staff to design, install and present their floral showcase, highlighting their creativity, skill, and innovation on one of the world’s most celebrated stages.

In the build-up to the pivotal show the team from East Durham College will also be supported by celebrated floral designer Simon Lycett, whose distinguished career includes work with royalty and high-profile national events. His involvement will provide invaluable professional mentoring and masterclass support, giving students access to elite industry expertise.

Attended by tens of thousands of visitors each year, including members of the Royal Family and leading industry figures, RHS Chelsea Flower Show is internationally recognised for excellence in horticulture and design, attracting leading designers, growers and floral artists from across the globe.

To be selected is a significant achievement and reflects the exceptional standard of teaching, creativity and technical skill within the College’s Floristry department - making participation a highly sought-after honour for any college, designer, or garden enthusiast.

Allan Raby, Floristry Lecturer, East Durham College said:

“As the only college selected this year, we are proud to represent both the education sector and the region at an event synonymous with innovation, artistry, and horticultural excellence.

Having the opportunity to exhibit at such a prestigious event, and to be supported by Simon Lycett, is transformative for our students and gives them the confidence, credibility, and invaluable experience at the very highest level of the industry. This is more than a display – it’s a launchpad for future careers.”

The show will herald a double celebration for the college as student, Nikki Wright has also been accepted into the Floral Creation category for Florist of the Year with her own independent design. After beginning her floristry journey at the college in 2024 following a 25-year corporate career, Nikki has already enjoyed competition success, including a Gold and First at the 2025 Harrogate Spring Flower Show.

Being selected for RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a landmark moment for the college, and this milestone not only highlights the talent of the students and staff involved but also places East Durham College firmly on the national stage, proudly representing the region.

With the recent news that College has officially broken ground on the redevelopment of the Houghall Campus, the opportunity to showcase at Chelsea aligns directly with East Durham College’s strategic vision for excellence, growth, innovation, and employer-led technical education.

The planned new, state-of-the-art facilities at the Houghall site, located on the edge of Durham City, will cement the College’s position as a regional centre of excellence for land-based, environmental, and sustainability skills, with the mission to provide inspirational learning environments across its campuses, ensuring that the North East has the skilled workforce it needs to grow sustainably.

Scott Bullock, Principal and Chief Executive of East Durham College added:

“Participation in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show represents national recognition of the quality, ambition, and industry relevance of the College’s floristry curriculum. It highlights the strength of land-based education in County Durham and places the region firmly on the map for creative and horticultural excellence.

This success reflects our wider strategy for growth — investing in specialist provision, strengthening employer partnerships and opportunities, and ensuring our students can compete, and succeed, on a national stage.”

Allan Raby added:

“This landmark moment has been one of true community and team effort, with 20 students contributing to the design and planning, including students who have now completed their course and played an important role, with only 12 places available at Chelsea, those attending were selected by their peers.

We’d also like to extend our sincere thanks to MKM Durham branch for their support with wood and power tools, Durham Parish Council for their generous £2,000 contribution, tools and build material from Jewson’s, the National Trust for its £500 donation, and Bon Blooming for supplying flowers at cost — all of which have been instrumental in supporting students’ preparations and enabling their visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.”

As one of the North East's few land-based colleges, Houghall Campus plays a crucial role in advancing the region's green and rural skills agenda. The campus develops expertise across key sectors including agriculture, animal management, arboriculture, horticulture and conservation. It also provides accessible, high-quality training opportunities for rural communities and works closely with employers and environmental organisations to deliver industry-led programmes to meet evolving needs.