The return of the Spalding Flower Parade on Saturday was a huge success enjoyed by everyone from toddlers to centurions.
An estimated 200,000 saw floats as varied as Pinchbeck WI to events company Arc’s party and marching Star Wars Storm Troopers take to the streets.
Others included the 103-year-old Ena Maddison in Aphoenix Care’s bus while the 1953 Flower Queen Jean Tooley was driven round the route by Dennis Young.
She remarked about how much warmer it was in the car than atop the South Holland Ambassadors float where Star Perry and her deputy Holly Kendrick were.
They still said they had a brilliant time.
“It all went really well and I really enjoyed it,” Star said. “It was lovely to see so many people.”
She found being hit by a low branch ‘hilarious’ after one of the few hiccups saw her float get stuck on a tree.
That led to the parade being delayed, while a car blocking the route also caused an issue, but nobody seemed to mind judging by the vast amount of smiling faces around the town.
“Seeing all the happy faces and the kids excitement was amazing,” added Holly.
The Voice spoke to people who had travelled for the parade from across the country.
Doug and Susan Smith holidayed in Lincolnshire from their native Middlesborough every year for previous parades, but they hadn’t been back since.
“We used to come every year and love this part of the country,” Doug said. “We haven’t been since it was cancelled though.
“It’s great to be back.”
Nonette Watson and her group of friends from London was among the around 50 coaches which arrived in town.
“It’s beautiful, just amazing,” she said while taking selfies in Westlode Street.
It was all thanks to a movement started by Steve Timewell, with a huge amount of amazing volunteers and businesses pitching in to make it all possible.
“Happy Spalding Day,” said Dennis Gallacher while mooching around the packed stalls at the Castle Sports Complex and who had given up parking at his Pinchbeck Road home for disabled people. “It feels like we’ve got the town back.”
And then it was all cleared away by the Wombles of Spalding Common, South Holland District Council staff and a host of volunteers.
- See a five-page picture special on this year’s parade in this week’s paper which is here.
Part one of our gallery is here.
Part two is here.
Part three comprising reader pictures is here.
Steve Timewell’s comments are here.
A video of the entire parade, plus live videos with sound, visit The Voice Facebook page here.
