Spalding, Bourne and Donington community figures represent the area at Buckingham Palace garden party
Popular members of the community have represented the area at a Buckingham Palace garden party
The annual event welcomes individuals from all walks of life to enjoy an afternoon in the gardens of His Majesty’s grand London residence.
It allows members of the Royal family to speak to a range of people and celebrate those who have made a positive impact in their community.
Prominent faces from the area represented Spalding, Bourne and Donington at the event on Wednesday (May 7).
Stephen Timewell is most well-known for resurrecting Spalding Flower Parade in 2023 after a decade-long break.
The former organiser took a step back from the event after moving away from the area to Dorset, to look after his mum.
Mr Timewell attended the garden party with his wife Sandra, and shared his excitement in a social media video. He said: “I am both honoured and delighted that Sandra and I have been invited to Buckingham Palace.
“I can’t explain how excited we are and I am really looking forward to it – it’s absolutely amazing.
“I would like to say a massive thank you to all the people in Lincolnshire who had faith in me for bringing back the Flower Parade.”
One of the key organisers of the Matthew Flinders: Bring Him Home Group, Jane Pearson of Donington, also attended the garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Following years of hard work and planning, the community group fought to have the explorer who circumnavigated Australia, laid to rest in the village’s St Mary and the Holy Rood.
The historic ceremony was due to take place in July 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic. However, in 2024 visitors from far and wide lined the streets of Donington to watch Capt Flinders make his final journey home.
Jane Pearson and the other members of the Matthew Flinders: Bring Him Home Group, spent so much time and energy into the momentous occasion and her palace date was reward for those amazing efforts.
She said: “It was an absolutely delightful surprise when we received our invitation following the nomination by the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire in respect of the work undertaken for the Matthew Flinders return project.
“Alongside many other guests representing different organisations, the principals on the day were the King and Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and HRH Princess Anne and we could see Members of Parliament; Bishops; Cardinals, Military Uniforms and National dresses.
“It was a truly memorable day and a great honour for our village and our Flinders project.
Dominic and Nicola Brister of Don’t Lose Hope in Bourne said they were ‘honoured’ to be invited to the event.
The charity offers counselling services to members of the community.
