Spalding Flower Parade organiser Stephen Timewell is surviving on few hours’ sleep and adrenalin as town’s major event is only a day away
The clock is ticking down as Spalding’s showpiece event gets closer — and organisers are making the final preparations.
Spalding Flower Parade takes place this weekend featuring 59 movie-themed floats and it is all go for Stephen Timewell and his team of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to put the parade on.
The practicalities of hosting such a large event are immense — from coordinating coach loads of visitors to pinning the final fresh tulips onto the floats and hoping that the weather holds out as the parade sets off at 11am at the Castle Sports Ground on Pinchbeck Road.
Mr Timewell, who is running on adrenaline and a few hours of sleep, said: “It is just amazing how the community in Spalding pulls together.
“It is amazing and never ceases to amaze me how people deliver every time.
“I can’t wait for the parade and the weather's going to be stunning. Bring it on.”
He praised the newly appointed Flower Queen Rebecca Roberts and her deputy Demi Fontaine Gilchrist as ‘both incredible and will really help to promote Spalding’.
Marquees have now arrived which will be put up on the Castle Sports Field and security is in place.
Mr Timewell will camp overnight in a caravan and oversee the logistics left to plan such as barriers and where to place them.
Static displays are still being delivered, with one due for the bus station.
Meanwhile volunteers, of which there have been a total of 200, are at Chapel Farm every day until midnight putting the final touches to the floats.
Mr Timewell said: “I am very excited and very confident as we have got such a fantastic team.
“We are ahead of schedule and it is because we have such a great team this year.
“Again I want to say a massive thank you to all the volunteers who are crucial.”
Following a 10-year break Mr Timewell brought the parade back to life last year.
He said: “The flower parade is vital to Spalding.
“It is part of our heritage and we should never have lost it.
“There is so much financial benefit to the community and it helps with mental health too as it gives a sense of belonging.”
Mr Timewell has put in an application to formalise Spalding Flower Parade as a CIC, a Community Interest Company which benefits the community rather than private gain.
Although his recent submission was turned down he is confident that this will bring transparency to the assets and financial status of what he does.
He said: “The CIC application got rejected as I did not put enough info down.
“In principle it is fine but they need more details about how it will benefit the community.
“I will submit it again as it will act as a good safeguard for the future of the parade and it is more transparent for people.”
With a positive weather prediction from the Met Office the two-day parade looks set to be bigger and better than ever.
Mr Timewell said: “The weather is going to be stunning.
“That is exactly what we need as it will mean there will be no problem for the Spitfires when they flyover.”
South Holland District Council has also confirmed that there will be parking provision for 400 vehicles on the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
With no last minute hiccups, Mr Timewell is looking forward to booking a holiday with his wife once the parade is over.
He said: “On Sunday night I will be out like a light.
“We may go away in September to somewhere quiet and warm.”
The flower parade takes place this Saturday May 11 - with a second day of events on the following day.
Visit https://www.spaldingflowerparade.org.uk/spalding-flower-parade for further information.
What do you think? Post your comments below.
