Spalding’s Sessions House owner Erika Yao crowned Spalding Flower Queen for 2025
The town’s new Flower Queen is hoping to provide a ‘warm embrace’ in the community – and is already cooking up a storm of ideas to pursue in her new role.
After impressing the judges to win the crown, Erika Yao of The Sessions House, is looking forward to making the most of the role. She said: “I was so excited when it was announced – I felt beyond what I can describe.
“Since I found out, I have been brainstorming all weekend and researching what I can do – my ideas are running wild.
“My focus will be bringing people together, whether that is businesses networking and getting to know each other or different social groups getting inspired by each other.
“I want to create opportunities for people to meet and connect with others.
“Arts and culture is also really important to me and I would definitely want to expand on making it more accessible in the community.”
Erika and her partner Andrew Blach, took over the former court house on Sheep Market, after moving to Spalding in July 2024.
The couple have never seen a Flower Parade in person, but Erika was inspired to put herself forward for the role after admiring the work of 2024 Flower Queen, Becs Roberts.
She added: “The Flower Parade is such a lovely event – it’s amazing.
“Since we moved here I have wanted to contribute to the community as much as possible. I knew I had to go for it when the application to become Flower Queen was released and I was actually inspired by Becs to put myself forward for it.
“When we first moved to Spalding we hosted an open house event and Becs came along and brought us a house warming gift and a card welcoming us to the area.
“I think that’s what being a Flower Queen should stand for – a welcoming arm who embraces everyone in the community.
“The Flower Parade volunteers are always sacrificing their time and these are the types of people I want to be working with.
“I have confidence in myself, my deputy and the committee that we will be able to squeeze everything in before the parade – we have a very competent team.”
Erika will lead this year’s parade on Saturday, May 10 with Briony Mann who was crowed deputy.
The duo will also represent the community at various events across South Holland until early 2026.
All of the Flower Queen contestants received a bouquet of flowers and Erika and Briony were given cash prizes and beauty hampers for their achievements.
“We all had a great night and everyone was on the dance floor.” Erika added.
“It wasn’t a competitive cat fight type of event, everyone was just happy to be there.
“All of the contestants were so unique and special – we all stood a chance.
“The previous Flower Queens have also given myself and Briony tips for being on the float on Flower Parade day.
“We’ll also be getting our hair and makeup done by professionals and the organisers have really thought of everything– it feels like I’m getting married again!”
