A Wigan teen nominated in a prestigious floristry competition needs your help to win
Arwen Hunt, an 18-year-old from Wigan, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Student of the Year award by the British Florist Association and now needs the public's vote to win.
A Wigan teenager is in the running for a national award after impressing judges with her floristry skills.
Arwen Hunt, 18, has always had a love for flowers, gardening and nature, having spent lots of time in her family’s allotment and in her primary school’s gardening club.
She recently completed the NCFE level three floristry course at Wigan and Leigh College, passing with flying colours.
Previously, while on the level two course, she gained a college award for professionalism from her tutors Carol Peacock and Sarah Hughes.
After completing the level three course, she was nominated for a national industry competition run by the British Florist Association for Student of the Year.
The British Florist Association (BFA) is the primary trade association representing the retail floristry industry across the United Kingdom and its awards celebrate excellence, talent and dedication.
From all the applications, Arwen has made it to the final three and is against nominees from Northern Ireland and Wrexham.
Arwen said: “My tutor told me in class that she had nominated me for the BFA awards and when I did more research on what it was, it just felt amazing.
“I had to do a written piece about myself where I explained that I’m a beekeeper and my absolute love for flowers. I got an email saying that I was through to the finals.”
A public vote is now being held and Arwen hopes people across Wigan will vote for her to win the award.
She recently set up a small online floristry business called Floristry from Scratch, which has already received a lot of attention.
Arwen said: “I’ve had quite a lot of contact and I received a review from a lady who said that the flowers were beautiful and smelled amazing.”
Her mum Emma said: “When she came home with the news that she was a finalist, me and my husband were just over the moon. It just felt absolutely unreal, we’re super proud of her.”
The public vote will be open until September 16 and if Arwen is successful, she will be going to Nottingham on October 3 for the awards evening.
To vote for Arwen, go to bfa-bfa-industry-awards-2026.eventsairsite.com/finalists.