The Reflections Stained Glass Roundel Competition celebrates imagination, research and civic storytelling through the craft of stained glass.
Since 2017, the competition has grown into a significant creative tradition, involving professional practitioners, schools, Sea Cadets, St John Ambulance Badgers and SEND learners.
Each year, one roundel is commissioned for the Immediate Past Lord Mayor of London, honouring their year of office. Other designs join the wider celebration of creativity across the youth streams.
In 2026 we mark the tenth edition of the competition.
Over ten years, young people and artists across the UK have produced designs that explore leadership, stewardship, sustainability and service. These roundels form a unique collection that captures the story of each Lord Mayor in colour and light.
The 2026 commissioned roundel will honour Alderman Alastair King DL, the 696th Lord Mayor of London (2024 to 2025). It will be unveiled at the Reflections Gala in London this summer.
Competition Streams
Click on a card for more information
Professional Stained Glass Artists
Showcase your creativity and craftsmanship - celebrates the beauty of stained and painted glass.
A national call for stained glass practitioners to design a ten inch roundel commemorating the 696th Lord Mayor of London. Includes a £1,000 commission fee, materials allowance and a feature at the 2026 Gala.
Year 6 Pupils
Schools across the UK can take part by submitting a design and short written explanation. The winning Year 6 artwork will be crafted into a ten inch roundel and displayed at the winning school.
Jr. Sea Cadets
Open to Junior Sea Cadets across the United Kingdom. Cadets design a ten inch roundel inspired by stewardship and the Lord Mayor’s year of office. The winning design is crafted into stained glass and displayed at the winning Unit.
St. John Ambulance Badgers
Badgers across England are invited to create bright and thoughtful designs inspired by the Lord Mayor’s civic story. One design will be transformed into stained glass and displayed at the winning Badger Sett.
SEND Pollinator Stream
SEND learners are invited to design a roundel inspired by bees, butterflies, movement and colour. One pollinator themed design will be crafted into stained glass and celebrated at the 2026 Gala.
Judging & Marking
Competition marking criteria along with helpful tips and pointers, and discover the timeline and meet the judges.
Stained glass has long been used to record moments of leadership, service and civic life.
Through colour and light, each roundel tells a personal story while contributing to a broader civic archive.
The competition encourages:
- Research and reflection
- Creative decision making
- Understanding of civic roles
- Connections between community, heritage and craft
This year includes a new post Gala livestream featuring the winning practitioner.
The event will explore the design, symbolism and creative process, with contributions from civic guests and the judging panel
Key Dates
Call opens: 1 February 2026
Submission deadline: 30 April 2026 (17h00 UK time)
Judging period: May 2026
Reflections Gala Evening: July 2026, London (venue to be announced)
Find out more
Watch the video's listed below for a deepr dive into the competitions.
Lord Mountevans shares his view of the value of the Roundel Competitions
Presentation Ceremony
#LMReflects Stained Glass Roundel Presentation Ceremony (2020-2022) at the Guildhall Art Gallery, 2022
Helen Whittaker, a renowned British glass artist and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers, talks about how the Reflections of The Lord Mayor’s (#LMReflects) Roundel competitions came about.