Spalding Flower Parade organiser promises that event won’t move to Springfields

The organiser of the Spalding Flower Parade has insisted that the event will not be moved to Springfields.

Stephen Timewell recently launched a search in this newspaper to find a new arena base for the 2025 parade as construction work to the Castle Sports Complex will be under way.

There had been suggestions that the event could move to Springfields – with a post on the parade’s official Twitter page suggesting that the location was being considered.

However, Steve, who does not run the account, says this is not the case.

“Springfields is not on the list of potential locations for the 2025 arena,” he confirmed.

“I would welcome them to come on board in some form if they wanted to but we won’t be holding the parade there.”

The Castle played a vital role in this year’s parade, becoming the main arena where the floats were parked up before and after their tour of the town. Throughout the afternoon and evening live bands entertained the crowds, food and drink was on offer and children could enjoy games.

The field will play the same role in the 2024 parade – which is due to span out over two days, May 11 and 12.

“The good news is that we have got the Castle for 2024 – that’s a really good result,” Steve said.

“We are continuing to look for other possible sites but Spalding Grammar School would not offer enough space and we can’t go the other side of the A16 because we wouldn’t be able to close that road.”

Both Steve and Coun Gary Taylor, deputy leader of South Holland District Council, last week confirmed that the Sir Halley Stewart Field would not be a viable option for the new arena.

However, Coun Taylor said he would help in the search ahead of the 2025 event.