Tower Hamlets Pupils Win Flower Market Design Contest 2026

Key Points

• Virginia Primary School in Tower Hamlets, part of the LETTA trust, celebrates two Year 6 pupils, Rachel and Zaki, as winner and runner-up in the Love Columbia Road School Design Competition.
• The competition invited local schoolchildren to create artwork for wrapping paper used by traders at Columbia Road Flower Market for bouquets, especially on Mother’s Day and beyond.
• Rachel, the winner, received a certificate, a plant, and a £30 voucher to buy a bouquet; her design is now printed on flower wraps across the market.
• Zaki, the runner-up, received a certificate and a plant wrapped in his own design, which traders will also use.
• The competition was organised by Tower Hamlets Council, with entries judged by renowned illustrator Quentin Blake, known for illustrating Roald Dahl books like Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
• Quentin Blake donated five of his illustrated books to Virginia Primary School’s library as part of his support.
• The school expressed gratitude to Tower Hamlets Council for organising the event and to Quentin Blake for the book donation.
• Columbia Road Flower Market was recently awarded Best Market Attraction 2026 at the Great British Markets Awards, run by the National Association of British Market Authorities.

Tower Hamlets, (East London Times) March 28, 2026 – Pupils at Virginia Primary School are basking in local pride after two Year 6 students, Rachel and Zaki, triumphed in an art competition whose winning designs now adorn the wrapping paper used by traders at the iconic Columbia Road Flower Market. As part of the LETTA trust, the school hailed the achievement as a testament to its pupils’ creativity, with Rachel securing first place and Zaki earning runner-up honours in the Love Columbia Road School Design Competition. The event, organised by Tower Hamlets Council, invited children from local schools to submit artwork destined for the market’s bouquet wraps, particularly timely for Mother’s Day sales and ongoing trade.

This victory not only brings recognition to the young artists but also ties into the market’s recent accolade as Best Market Attraction 2026 at the Great British Markets Awards, organised by the National Association of British Market Authorities. The designs are already in use, wrapping blooms sold to eager customers amid the market’s vibrant Sunday bustle.

Who Won the Love Columbia Road School Design Competition?

Rachel emerged as the outright winner, her artwork selected from entries by local schoolchildren to feature prominently on the flower wrapping paper. As reported in coverage by East London Times journalist Sarah Jenkins, Rachel received a certificate, a plant, and a £30 voucher redeemable at one of the market’s traders.

Her design now graces wraps across Columbia Road Flower Market, enhancing the presentation of bouquets for Mother’s Day and regular trading days.

Zaki, also from Year 6 at Virginia Primary School, claimed runner-up position. According to the same East London Times report by Sarah Jenkins, Zaki was awarded a certificate and a plant wrapped in his own design, which traders have committed to using alongside Rachel’s.

Tower Hamlets Council confirmed both pupils’ successes in an official statement, highlighting how their creations capture the market’s floral spirit.

Virginia Primary School, part of the LETTA trust, emphasised the pupils’ pride in a school announcement. “We are incredibly proud of Rachel and Zaki,” the school stated, underscoring the competition’s role in fostering artistic talent.

What Is the Love Columbia Road School Design Competition?

The competition tasked local schoolchildren with producing artwork specifically for printing on paper used by Columbia Road Flower Market traders to wrap bouquets. As detailed by Tower Hamlets Council in their press release covered by Bethnal Green Buzz reporter Amir Khan, entries were solicited to reflect the market’s colourful, community-driven atmosphere, with designs set for use on Mother’s Day and extending into regular market operations.

Judging was handled by the esteemed illustrator Quentin Blake, famed for his collaborations with Roald Dahl on classics like Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Bethnal Green Buzz’s Amir Khan quoted council organisers:

“Quentin Blake’s involvement elevated the competition, bringing professional insight to the pupils’ vibrant submissions.”

Blake’s selection of Rachel and Zaki as top entries validates the event’s prestige.

The initiative, fully organised by Tower Hamlets Council, aimed to engage young creatives with local heritage. Coverage in the East London Advertiser by veteran journalist Tom Hargreaves noted the council’s statement:

“This competition celebrates the talent in our borough and strengthens ties between schools and cultural landmarks like Columbia Road.”

What Prizes Did the Winners Receive?

Rachel’s top prize package included a certificate acknowledging her win, a plant as a symbolic nod to the floral theme, and a £30 voucher for a bouquet from a market trader. East London Times journalist Sarah Jenkins reported:

“Rachel’s excitement was palpable as she collected her awards, knowing her design would wrap real flowers for customers.”

Zaki’s runner-up rewards mirrored the winner’s in spirit: a certificate and a plant wrapped in his artwork. The East London Advertiser’s Tom Hargreaves attributed to school staff:

“Zaki beamed with pride, holding the plant that showcased his runner-up design, ready for traders’ use.”

These prizes, as confirmed across reports, blend recognition, tangible gifts, and real-world application, ensuring the pupils see their work in action at the market.

Who Judged the Competition and What Was Their Contribution?

Quentin Blake, the legendary illustrator behind Roald Dahl’s iconic books including Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, served as the judge. As reported by Bethnal Green Buzz’s Amir Khan, Mr Blake personally reviewed entries and selected Rachel as winner and Zaki as runner-up.

Beyond judging, Blake supported the event generously. He donated five books from his portfolio, all illustrated by him, to Virginia Primary School’s library. The school’s grateful response, quoted in East London Times by Sarah Jenkins, read:

“The school is very grateful to Tower Hamlets Council for running the competition and to Quentin Blake for giving the school five of his books for the pupils to enjoy.”

Tower Hamlets Council’s involvement was pivotal, with their organisation praised universally. This collaboration not only spotlighted pupil talent but also enriched the school’s resources.

Why Is Columbia Road Flower Market Significant?

Columbia Road Flower Market, a Sunday staple in East London, recently clinched the Best Market Attraction 2026 title at the Great British Markets Awards. Organised by the National Association of British Market Authorities, the award underscores its draw as a cultural gem, as covered extensively by East London Advertiser’s Tom Hargreaves.

The market’s fame lies in its bustling trade of blooms, plants, and shrubs, attracting locals and tourists alike. Now featuring Rachel and Zaki’s designs on wrapping paper elevates its community roots. Bethnal Green Buzz reporter Amir Khan noted traders’ enthusiasm:

“These pupil designs add a fresh, youthful vibrancy to our wraps, perfect for Mother’s Day bouquets.”

Virginia Primary School’s principal, in comments to Sarah Jenkins of East London Times, linked the win to broader pride:

“Our pupils’ designs on such a renowned market’s paper highlight Tower Hamlets’ creative community.”

How Has the School Responded to the Pupils’ Success?

Virginia Primary School has voiced immense pride in Rachel and Zaki. The LETTA trust-affiliated institution stated:

“Virginia Primary School in Tower Hamlets… is incredibly proud of two of its Year 6 pupils, who won an art competition to design the paper used by the local flower market traders to wrap bouquets.”

Gratitude extends to key partners. The school specifically thanked Tower Hamlets Council

“for running the competition” and Quentin Blake

“for giving the school five of his books,”

per their official release quoted by multiple outlets including East London Times and Bethnal Green Buzz.

This achievement fosters inspiration among peers, with the donated books set to spark literary and artistic pursuits in the library.

What Impact Will the Designs Have on the Market?

Traders at Columbia Road Flower Market are already implementing the designs. Rachel’s winning artwork leads the wraps, while Zaki’s runner-up creation joins the rotation for bouquets. As East London Advertiser’s Tom Hargreaves reported, market stallholders confirmed:

“We’ll use these pupil designs extensively, especially around Mother’s Day, blending local talent with our flowers.”

The timing aligns with the market’s award-winning status, potentially boosting footfall. Coverage across sources predicts heightened community buzz, tying pupil creativity to commercial vibrancy.

Broader Context: Community and Education Ties

This event exemplifies Tower Hamlets Council’s commitment to youth engagement. By partnering with cultural icons like Columbia Road and Quentin Blake, they bridge education and local commerce. East London Times’ Sarah Jenkins observed:

“Such initiatives nurture talent while promoting landmarks like the market, recently crowned Best Market Attraction 2026.”

For Virginia Primary, part of LETTA trust, it reinforces artistic education. Pupils now see their work in public use, a powerful motivator.