South Holland and The Deepings MP Sir John Hayes in key talks with Spalding Flower Parade Committee, Arts Council England and Lincolnshire Community Foundation to ensure parade’s future
Key talks are happening to try to win funding for the area’s showpiece event in a bid to help secure its future for the long term.
Spalding Flower Parade, which takes place on Saturday (May 10), was previously run by the local authorities but is now organised by a dedicated committee and team of volunteers who fundraise all year round to keep it going. There are moves in place, however, to secure the parade’s financial footing with external cash.
Following a decade-long break the parade was resurrected by Stephen Timewell in 2023 drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the town in the last two years. It relied on about £80,000 raised from private individuals.
South Holland and The Deepings MP Sir John Hayes has been in discussions with Arts Council England and the Lincolnshire Community Foundation to ensure critical funding is in place so that the parade continues for years to come and is not solely reliant on the generosity of volunteers and the public.
He said: “I have always been passionate about the Flower Parade and it is vitally important that we keep it going.
“I supported the parade since I first became MP and when it came back I continued to support it.
“For me this is about our sense of identity, place and pride in South Holland - if there is one thing people know about the area it is that we still have a flower parade.”
The flower parade was listed as a priority in Sir John’s election promises last year and he said he intends to bid for longer-term funding from Arts Council England to continue Spalding’s ‘unique’ tradition.
He said: “I met with them and made the case that this is an artistic endeavour as well as a community one.
“It really is a creative exercise which brings people together in a unique and special way.
“The flower parade is fundamental to Spalding and our identity.”
He praised the committee and volunteers for their efforts and intends to help secure long-term funding to put them on a better footing rather than working ‘hand to mouth’.
He said: “I know how much hard work the committee has done - from the foothills to the mountains upwards.
“There is always a struggle with any endeavour that relies on voluntary effort and commitment.
“It would just give them that insurance, at least, if there is something in the kitty.”
Sir John has also appealed to the Lincolnshire Community Foundation - an organisation that has awarded £22 million to charities, community groups, and local organisations since 2022.
He said: “I have met them on Zoom and put the case of the flower parade to them.
“They have supported all kinds of events over many years.
“The issue is keeping it going - and it is vital that we do so.”
Once the flower parade is over this weekend Sir John intends to lead further talks with the committee, Arts Council England and the Lincolnshire Community Foundation to push ahead with the funding issue..
The recent cancellation of Jersey’s Battle of the Flowers parade due to ‘financial difficulties and governance issues’ proved there is a real threat to any major event solely relying on volunteer support.
Sir John said: “When over the years funding became increasingly problematic I pressed the council to fund it.
“But the cost became too great with policing and traffic etcetera.
“I’ve spoken to the flower parade committee and once we get this one out of the way we can meet and talk about how we can make a bid for funding.”
Along with these two lines of enquiry Sir John has also been able to provide ‘significant personal fundraising’ to this year’s parade of £5,000.
He said: “I have managed to raise money personally.
“I have said to the parade committee if they have a shortfall for this parade, I will make up that shortfall.
“The critical issue is how we can secure the flower parade’s perpetuity.”
He added that he is ‘happy to personally commit to raise money year on year’.
Sir John is keen to emphasise how critical it is for ‘everyone to do their bit’
He said: “There is a communal and heritage aspect to the parade.
“It is about seeing it as an artistic and creative endeavour.
“It is critically important that it does not stop.”
The flower parade’s economic and cultural benefits will be stressed.
Sir John added: “Bulbs and flower growing matters an immense amount to our area.
“The parade brings a sense of pride and the community comes together in a way that is special and indeed unique.
“What produces more pride and thrills than the parade?”
Former organiser Stephen Timewell was always keen to maintain close ties with the Jersey parade.
He said: “ It is a shame about Jersey but a sign of the times.
“Funds are always welcome but volunteers are vital and we could do with more help.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to organise large events due to costs, staffing and security.”
Mr Timewell would happily welcome more volunteers to help with the event on the day — and feels councillors can do more.
He added: “The flower parade relies heavily on volunteers and donations from local businesses.”
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