Less than 50 days to Spalding Flower Parade as organiser pencils in date for 2024

There are now less than 50 days to go until the hotly anticipated Spalding Flower Parade - and next year’s event has already been pencilled in.

Stephen Timewell, the man behind organising the revived event, is in a confident mood ahead of this year’s parade on May 13.

Bolstered by people power, Steve has now raised more than £70,000 - and the floats are nearly ready for their flowers, with 46 days to go.

He said: “I had two worries when I first started out; could we get the people and could we get the money?

“Well, we’ve got both - the money just keeps pouring in and we’ve got so many people volunteering to help.”

Over the past few months there has been a push to ensure floats are refurbished and ready for the big day.

Weekly mending days have taken place at R Chappell & Sons farm in Spalding where volunteers got their hands dirty.

“We’ve almost finished the floats,” said Steve.

“Other than the fresh flowers, we’re pretty much ready with them.

“Each week we’ve had teams of 15 to 20 turning up to help - a few even go midweek too. We just can’t keep them away.”

There are 32 coaches planning to visit the town for May’s parade, plus the prospect of other visitors from far and wide.

Steve said: “People really want it back - and it’s not just locals. We ran some polls online and found that people are coming from France and Luxembourg which is just incredible.

“There’s so many reunions planned for the day.

“One coach company in Hertfordshire filled three coaches in 24 hours and is putting on a fourth now - it’s amazing to see the reaction.

“I just can’t wait now. I’m not worried about anything - everything is in place. It’s going to be a very busy day.”

Despite working long days and admitting only managing four hours of sleeps a night, Steve is already planning a return for the parade in 2024.

He added: “I can’t see any reason why it can’t happen again next year.

“Obviously, with the plans for the Castle Sports Complex we don’t yet know if we will be able to use that site but we will be fine.”

Steve is on the lookout for 40 traffic cones to use for this year’s event and asks anyone who could help to email info@spaldingflowerparade.org.uk or call 07516 902673.