Student wins silver for thoughtful border at BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair  

Photo by Jason Ingram and BBC Gardeners’ World Fair

Brinsbury College student Megan Chapman recently received a Silver Merit Award at the annual BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, which took place last month.    

Her border, called ‘Sunset Escape’, was designed as a sanctuary for people with chronic illness and those facing mental health challenges.  

The thoughtful design featured a phone lockbox to eliminate electronic distractions, a silent water feature to encourage calm, and a bowl of fidget pebbles to introduce a tactile, sensory element.  

Each garden designer was given a nine-by-nine metre miniature show garden to showcase their creativity, with this year’s theme being ‘Cultivating Connections’.   

Megan explained the inspiration behind her design, saying:  
“This is a space to take a well-deserved break at the end of each day and take in the beauty of the sunset where all the colours glow warm in the golden hour.  

“It is a space to refresh, check-in, and gather hope. Designed to help you connect to nature and the people you share it with, sparking meaningful conversations.”  

Reflecting on her experience at the Spring Fair, she added:  
“The event was amazing. Both the Gardeners’ World event team and the other gardeners were so helpful and supportive. I got to meet many of the public who came to view my border, and everyone had such positive reactions to my work which was so lovely to hear.”  

Megan is currently studying a level two diploma in practical horticulture at Brinsbury College and credits the course with helping her develop both skills and confidence, saying: 

“I have found my time at Brinsbury has helped me to gain confidence and get a feel for horticultural jobs. One highlight for me has been meeting like-minded people and gaining friends who also have a passion for horticulture, working with friends doing my course at the college has made the experience much richer.”