Newly appointed Spalding Flower Queen Rebecca Roberts talks girl power and her female idols — and how her partner now calls her ‘queenie’.
Girl power is top of the agenda for the flower queen - who lists Kylie Minogue and Queen Elizabeth II as her role models.
Rebecca Roberts, known as Becs, from Pinchbeck has been crowned as Spalding Flower Queen and will represent the town in this year’s movie-themed Spalding Flower Parade along with deputy Demi Fontaine Gilchrist.
The 36-year-old mum of two to Poppy, 4, and Alfie 2, Becs is taking inspiration from strong female role models as she prepares to take centre stage. She said: “The queen was the most important person in the world but she made people feel that they were the most important.
“Kylie Minogue would play me in a film as she is the same height. We could share dresses.
“We’re going to be besties.”
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Other female role models also include her 92-year-old grandma Dulcie Yates - and being an example to her own young daughter Poppy is important to her when she appears on the float.
Becs said: “Grandma says she feels 21 and I can't wait for her and mum to come to the parade.
“It is going to be such an exciting atmosphere and such a buzz.
“I used to go when I was a child and I went last year and it was so nice to take Poppy.”
Taking over the reins to represent a town is a responsibility that Becs is taking seriously and like any working mum, juggling work and family life is a reality.
She said: “I get mum guilt in that I feel I am not doing enough work or not being with the kids.
“I juggle my days around.”
Following a 10-year break the Spalding Flower Parade is a huge event in the spring calendar organised by Stephen Timewell and his team of volunteers with a two day line-up on May 11 and 12.
Becs has called for wider support for the parade in order for it to continue for years to come.
She said: “I really hope in 50 years it will still be going.
“Being part of it is iconic.
Becs will take over the role from current ambassador Star Perry who, with deputy Holly Kendrick, has been guiding the new appointees when they attended meet and greets at Spalding Library and the South Holland Centre to see Mother Goose.
Being thrown in at the deep end however has its issues but she has learnt some tips to overcome nerves when speaking in public as the role demands.
Becs said: “I feel the least confident with meet and greets.
“I now have an affirmation and repeat ‘I am confident and I am great with people’.
“I have a fantastic lady who helps me and says that if I am not doing something wrong I am not trying.”
Essential tips also include practising public speaking in front of a mirror and learning from a video she made for the flower parade volunteers.
She said: “I have been given tips on breathing and watching yourself back after a recording.
“By the end of the year I will be able to talk to anyone about anything!”
Her many female role models also include her mum and, since being crowned, fiancée Terry has a special nickname for them both.
She said: “He calls me Queenie and my mum is now called Queen Mother in our house.
“He was so excited when I won.
“Some ladies filmed his reaction and he was so genuinely excited.”
Having been inspired when she met 1953 Flower Queen Jean Toolley, a judge on this year’s panel, passing the tradition of the flower parade on, through the generations is also important to Becs.
She said: “I remember the magic of it.
“I hope to be on the judging panel in the future.”
She will visit Jersey to represent Spalding in the Battle of the Flowers in August and has another form of female support from her deputy Demi.
Becs said: “Demi is beautiful to watch with people.
“We’ve got each other’s backs.”
Taking on the role has its serious elements but fun is the main thing Becs would like to bring to the role - and influencing all generations in a positive way when she is wearing her sash and crown interacting with the general public.
She said: “The reaction from people is indescribable.
“They don’t know you but they feel they know you.”
For further information visit https://www.spaldingflowerparade.org.uk/spalding-flower-parade
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