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Move Spalding Flower Parade out of town or cancel the event? Public asked to decide




The 2025 Spalding Flower Parade will be held at an out-of-town venue or not go ahead - and it’s up to you to decide.

Reigning Flower Queen Becs Roberts posted an emotional message to supporters of the hugely popular event this morning (Monday), breaking the news following a ‘really difficult committee meeting’.

With no viable town centre location available next spring, organisers voted to host the event at the Springfields Exhibition Centre.

The iconic Eye of the Tiger float, submitted by Bakkavor, PHOTO: CHRIS LOWNDES
The iconic Eye of the Tiger float, submitted by Bakkavor, PHOTO: CHRIS LOWNDES

However, due to the move relying on thousands of visitors attending the out-of-town site, they feel it is only fair for the public to have the final say.

“We have explored every viable option in town and there’s just nowhere we can hold it safely that is financially viable,” a tearful Becs explained on a video posted on Facebook.

“So yesterday (Sunday) we had to take a really difficult vote on no Flower Parade or holding it at the exhibition centre.

Spalding Flower Queen Becs Roberts with husband Terry Payne at the end of the parade. Photo: Jenny Beake
Spalding Flower Queen Becs Roberts with husband Terry Payne at the end of the parade. Photo: Jenny Beake

“We want to put it to the public vote. You’ll have a really simple vote: ‘yes’ to holding our much loved Flower Parade and it ending at the exhibition centre or ‘no’ for no parade.”

The Flower Parade has proved a real hit in the past two years since its return following a ten-year absence, with with tens of thousands of revellers flocking from the county and beyond to cheer on the beautiful floats.

The parade has begun and ended at the castle Sports Complex in recent years, but that site will not be available next year as work on a £26 million makeover gets underway.

People await the arrival of Spalding Flower Parade
People await the arrival of Spalding Flower Parade

“On a personal note, I feel devastated that it won’t be in town,” Becs continued.

“I have listened to all your feedback and I know the community is very keen for a town centre location, it brings everybody together and I know the businesses in the town centre need this. But there really is no option.

“I really want there to be a Flower Parade 2025, so tell us what you think, vote for what you think and hopefully we’ll have a 2025 parade.”

Youngsters from Diamondz Dance make their way through Hall Place in Spalding PHOTO: CHRIS LOWNDES
Youngsters from Diamondz Dance make their way through Hall Place in Spalding PHOTO: CHRIS LOWNDES

A number of in-town sites had been looked at.

However, Spalding Grammar School’s field would cost an additional £10,000-11,000 for the installation of ametal road to get floats moving on the grass while the large Westlode Street car park to the rear of the XO nightclub was also considered, but it was feared the small entrances needed would make it difficult to run from the site safely.

The committee also looked at using Ayscoughfee Gardens the Vista car park, but organisers said the site was ‘disjointed’ and that large queues would form for revellers due to the numbers of people allowed on site at one time.

Bourne Borders Morris Dancers entertain the crowds before the arrival of Spalding Flower Parade in Hall Place PHOTO: CHRIS LOWNDES
Bourne Borders Morris Dancers entertain the crowds before the arrival of Spalding Flower Parade in Hall Place PHOTO: CHRIS LOWNDES

The Sir Halley Stewart playing field was too small to host the floats plus the usual craft and food stalls while the field near Pennygate was labelled ‘too far out of town’.

The parade costs around £80,000 to hold with much a vital part of that revenue coming from vendors and funfair sponsorship at the host site.

“It has to be a big enough to allow us to generate enough money to cover costs,” Becs added.

A wave from the Boxes of Hope Harry Potter float
A wave from the Boxes of Hope Harry Potter float

“As we’re a community interest company we can’t run at a loss.”

The committee thanked South Holland District Council leader Nick Worth, MP Sir John Hayes and Matt Clark, XO nightclub owner, for their help in attempting to find a suitable town centre site.

Reporter Jenny Beake captures the moment that 2024 Spalding Flower Queen Becs Roberts and Deputy Demi Fontaine Gilchrist begin the parade, leaving the Castle site to turn into Pinchbeck Road.
Reporter Jenny Beake captures the moment that 2024 Spalding Flower Queen Becs Roberts and Deputy Demi Fontaine Gilchrist begin the parade, leaving the Castle site to turn into Pinchbeck Road.

You can have your say by taking part in an anonymous online poll at https://bit.ly/4bVmJW2.

“Pllease back us and please know we’ve tried our damned hardest and let’s hope there’s a 2025 parade,” Becs added.



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