Spalding will be blooming again despite no flower parade this year thanks to local support and a substantial donation.
Planning meetings have taken place with local council members, South Holland and The Deepings MP Sir John Hayes, business stakeholders and directors of Spalding BID (Business Improvement District.)
Lincoln Business Improvement Group has donated flower containers while a local company has offered to undertake planting.
“The generous donation from Lincoln BIG includes 14 very large and one extra-large tiered planter which will make a significant impact,” said Sarah Fletcher, manager of Spalding BID.
“Combined with the hanging baskets, large trays and round post planters we now have approximately 450 containers enabling us to distribute flowers throughout the town.”
Before they can all be put in place, legal permissions need to be sought along with health and safety assessments and approval from relevant authorities. A key priority will also be confirming maintenance arrangements from May to September to ensure the displays remain attractive throughout the summer.
“Last year’s maintenance was so effective that the hanging baskets continued to look good into November.”
Looking at the public realm and improving how the town looks has been part of the work since it was created in 2024.
A plan to encourage towns and villages across South Holland, including Spalding, to take part in the East Midlands in Bloom competition was mooted in September.
But Spalding won’t be taking part this year as the focus will be on improving the environment and making the town look bright.
Only Crowland, Deeping St Nicholas and Long Sutton have taken part in recent years. Long Sutton was awarded a Silver Gilt last year in the Small Towns category as well as a special award for its hanging baskets.
South Holland District Council chairman Jan Whitbourn has been involved in brightening-up the railway station for several years and wants others to get involved with the In Bloom contest.
The Flower Parade is being planned to take place again next year after this year’s event was postponed by the organising committee.
Sue Cooper, secretary of South Holland in Bloom Advisory Committee, said there is a huge amount of work involved in taking part.
“It takes a lot of time and we did have a meeting with BID about the competition.
“It would be lovely if the town could take part again,” she said.
A BID spokesman said at the moment the idea was to make the town centre as bright and welcoming as possible as part of its drive to improve the town and encourage footfall and business.
