On Tuesday 26th June was the Armed Forces Day Parade in Spalding town centre and many colleagues from all over Lincolnshire led the Armed Forces, which included a RAF Conningsby, local ex-service associations, the street pastors and cadets to the centre of the Market Place where most of the stall holders had covered their stalls in bunting and flags.
Thank you especially to David and Julie on the market for all their help in making it look so beautiful.
I would like to thank a lot of people for so much but first to the Red Lion Hotel who provided us all with coffee and tea to start the day off, thank you Nigel I am very grateful to you once again.
Rev John Bennett gave a short service and prayers, followed by a rendition of
“Bring him Home” from Les Miserables by the local celebrity singer Craig Delaney – big thanks to you both, what would we do without you?
Thanks also to Spalding’s St Mary and St Nicolas Church ladies and Gail from
Morrison’s who very kindly helped with all the refreshments, they were amazing and so many people said what a lovely spread there was.
Gail took some to the ladies on the stall in the market where Coun Angela Newton had organised a team of ladies to help raise money which will go towards the WWII Memorial, well done to you all for raising over £600 on the day.
The serving personnel said that It was both an honour and a privilege to participate in such a momentous occasion and It is testament to the character of the town’s residents in their resounding support of the Armed Forces and something we should be immensely proud of.
They all enjoyed taking part along with the Cadets from Holbeach and Spalding.
I would also like to say thank you to the police for helping us on the day, so many people came out to enjoy the parade and sincere thanks to Jo for all your help in making it a safe exit at the end.
Thank you to all the councillors who came and joined in the march including the chairman and the vice chairman.
My final thank you is for William and Jane Webb for all your support and for presenting the badges to the veterans, it was a great honour to have you there to do that.
And to all the community who came out to enjoy the parade on such a sunny day – thank you all. We hope to see you all again next year.
Jan Whitbourn
Event organiser
