Plans for ‘great’ Spalding Flower Parade next year after ‘positive’ talks between organisers and South Holland District Council
Spalding can expect a ‘great parade’ in 2025 following ‘positive’ talks between organisers and the local authority.
South Holland District Council leader Nick Worth met with members of the 20-strong committee who have come together to save the popular event - which attracts tens of thousands of people to the town - after previous organiser Stephen Timewell announced he was stepping down from the roll.
Among the key topics discussed at Friday’s meeting were a suitable location to host the floats if work on the Castle Sports Complex’s £26 million makeover is underway and proposed road closures.
“It was a really good and very helpful meeting and I’m sure we’ll all work together to produce a great parade for next year,” Coun Worth said.
During a video uploaded to social media, Mr Timewell cited a lack of support from SHDC as one of his main reasons for stepping down, although Coun Worth described those claims as ‘blatantly untrue’.
A statement issued by the parade committee described the meeting with SHDC as ‘positive’.
“Relationships have been renewed and we have their full support on a venue, along with road closures, which means it fills us with absolute joy and pleasure to announce that the Spalding Flower Parade 2025 will be going ahead.
“As this news is still fresh and we carry on on with our transition process, we are not able to confirm the exact location or date for the parade at this time.
“We are working closely with SHDC to find a suitable venue for us all to enjoy.”
The statement added confirmation of a venue is expected ‘within the next couple of weeks’.
There was also a call for more volunteers to get behind the project, as well as for public support via fundraising.
A £50,000 JustGiving page has recently been set up to help finance the parade.
“The ever-important challenges remain with volunteers and the the £80,000 needed, but we’re sure you’ll all be behind us,” the statement continued.
“We will be running lots of events and fundraising campaigns across the year.”
Parade organisers added an open meeting is being planned for ‘the coming months’, where the public can learn more about volunteering and meet the team behind the event.
