Spalding Flower Parade organiser Stephen Timewell praises newly crowned Flower Queen and Deputy following glitzy movie-themed judging event at The Vista
More than 5,000 people tuned in to find out who would be crowned Spalding Flower Queen.
Organiser of the revived Spalding Flower Parade, Stephen Timewell has described the winner Rebecca Roberts as ‘bubbly’ and her new deputy Demi Fontaine Gilchrist as ‘a fighter’ after they stepped out of a Dr Who Tardis and onto the stage.
The glamourous judging ceremony was held at The Vista in Spalding on Saturday complete with a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, red carpet, giant Oscars, light and audio show and arrivals in limousines.
Mr Timewell was thrilled with the event and said: “It was amazing.
“The atmosphere was electric from the moment we opened the door to the 180 guests. We 5,300 watching it live at the peak.”
With a former flower queen from 1953, Jean Toolley, on the panel, the judges had a tough decision to make on the night with nine worthy contestants made up of eight women and one man.
The panel also included: Giovanna El Greco, Laura Louise Hudson (Miss Oceanworld 2023), Star Perry (2023 ambassador), Holly Kendrick (2023 deputy ambassador), Cheryl Carter (care assistant) and Sue Jackson (flower parade’s head volunteer).
Mr Timewell said: “The contestants were judged on personality alone and who the judges perceived would be the best person to represent Spalding.
“Rebecca is so bubbly and has such a great attitude towards the whole thing.
“She impressed with her good values in supporting women's rights.”
Demi, who lives with a brain injury also impressed the judges, who took some 40 minutes to make a decision.
Mr Timewell said: “Demi is a fighter and has taken life by the horns.
“Everyone had lovely personalities in my opinion and the judges had it down to a final three.”
The glamourous movie-themed night saw Mr Timewell pulling out all the stops – and providing his Dr Who TARDIS that he made as a prop for this year’s flower show in May.
He said: “Contestants came out of the life-sized TARDIS onto the stage.
“Outside we had the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car which the flower parade group bought.
“It will be used on a float in the flower parade.”
The classic car will be on display in Spalding Market Place on Saturday March 23, where there will be another big surprise.
Mr Timewell said: “I can’t tell you all the details yet but it will be something special.”
Rebecca and Demi will fly out to Jersey to represent Spalding in the Battle of the Flowers Floral Parade in August.
He said: “They can expect to be very busy when they take over the roles on May 11 from Star and Holly.
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“The first booking is on Saturday for a meet and greet at Spalding Library at 10am.
“I have booked the flights to Jersey for Battle of the Flowers where they will attend a council reception and go on cultural visits.
“It will be a busy year and Rebecca has already been on the radio.
"Neither have done anything like this before but after a few bookings they will be fine.”
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