Spalding Flower Parade organiser thanks volunteers for their invaluable contribution

The organiser of Spalding Flower Parade has expressed his gratitude for the invaluable contribution volunteers make to a town’s major event.

Stephen Timewell, organiser of Spalding Flower Parade, says that without volunteers the event would not be able to go ahead – and that he is ‘getting butterflies’ as the date gets nearer.

A total of 200 volunteers at any one time are helping to decorate the famous floats at Chapels Farm and Mr Timewell even feels a film about it could be made.

Mr Timewell said: “We joke that we are going to make a movie called Carry On Flower Parade.

“The whole key to making the flower parade work is the volunteers.

“It wouldn't have worked without them.

“You couldn't financially do it if we were paying them and every request I put in they do and nothing is ever a problem.”

Each weekend the volunteers work hard at Chapels Farm and Saturday saw more than 30 volunteers putting the final touches to the floats.

This involves picking and pinning fresh flowers onto floats and there was also a band of volunteers knitting and crocheting flowers which can be reused.

Mr Timewell said: “Three of the biggest floats are ready for the fresh flowers which we are picking and pinning on.

“We have a big team to sort out craft materials in order to find out what we still need.

“We have knitted flowers from last year that we have recycled.”

The sense of family and friendship is clear to the group who celebrated a birthday for a volunteer.

Mr Timewell said: “Around 25 of us went out to the Crystal Inn.

“We are a big family and we all belong.”

As the date gets nearer for the parade, volunteers are committed to helping out three days of the week.

Some will take tasks home with them such as gluing and sewing.

With a matter of weeks before the weekend event that will bring thousands of visitors to the town, the nerves and work will all be worth it.

Mr Timewell said: “I get butterflies every time I think about it.

“I am really looking forward to it and leading the parade as a showman.

“I want to thank every single person who has turned up to help.”

Work is now in the final stages with floats that were used in the 1970s on trailers with scaffolding around them ready for the underside to be decorated.

Mr Timewell said: “There is still a lot of work to do but the volunteers are so proactive.

“Along with the Flower Queen and deputy they are all helping in promoting Spalding.”

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