Wooden Crowland Buffalo replica to feature in Spalding Flower Parade

A wooden replica of the Crowland Buffalo will feature in the Spalding Flower Parade.

Volunteers are creating a copy of the historic vehicle - and will welcome along Miss Lincolnshire Paige Allen, who is from Crowland, to join their float on the day.

The wooden alternative lets the team have a safer alternative to the amphibious vehicle to take to events such as this - and spread the word of the project.

Daniel Abbott has spearheaded the efforts to unearth and restore the Buffalo - which sank into the ground in Crowland after being sent to help with the 1947 floods and did not emerge until it was recovered in April 2021.

Mr Abbott was keen that the project should play a part in the parade on May 13 to celebrate a part of the history of this area.

He said: “We will represent Crowland and represent the Second World War era.

“I was a driver on the floats in the past and it’s nice that I can now enter with something personal to me.

“It’s also nice to have Miss Lincolnshire with us - that’s another bit of our history and heritage to celebrate.”

The team is currently adding the finished touches to the wooden structure together ahead of the big day.

The Buffalo replica - which will be number 31 in the parade running order - will also take its place in the Moulton Chapel Village Parade on Sunday April 30.

The Crowland Buffalo LVT Association is now a charity and is looking to find funds for the ongoing restoration project.

Mr Abbott’s long-term goal is to establish a museum in Crowland that explores the flood and other aspects of the town’s history.

To find out more about the Buffalo project, visit crowlandbuffalo.wordpress.com