5 hours Ago By [email protected] (Jenny Beake)
A glitzy election evening in which judges will choose the new Spalding Flower Parade Queen and Deputy is taking place tonight (Saturday April 26). There are nine candidates hoping to win that coveted crown which will be awarded at an event at Springfields Events and Conference Centre. Lucinda Wise, Erika Yao, Maddie Keyzers, Megan Vellam, Demi Fontaine Gilchrist, Philippa Ketteringham, Laura Hudson, Briony Mann and Demi Faulkner are hoping to be leading this year’s parade, which is taking place on Saturday, May 10.
Outgoing Flower Queen Becs Roberts, from Pinchbeck, and her deputy, Demi Fontaine Gilchrist have looked back on their year and offered tips for the hopefuls ahead of the big night. Becs said: “I felt nervous having to give a presentation to the committee and go up on stage. “I genuinely didn't think I would win it.
“Since then I have been on television and radio so in a good way I was thrown into it as I don’t think I would have done it otherwise.” Of course, one of the biggest highlights of the year for Becs was leading the parade on board the Queen’s Float. She said: “People love the flower parade.
“Everybody has got memories that they want to share about it and it is really lovely to hear “Meeting people has been fabulous and hearing their stories is wonderful.” As part of her role, Becs visited the Battle of the Flowers in Jersey along with Demi. She said: “Jersey was amazing.
“The mayor took us on a personal tour round the island which was fantastic. “People there made us feel so welcome.” The parade was resurrected in 2023 by organiser Stephen Timewell after a ten-year break.
He has since moved away from Spalding but has been on hand to give support to the newly formed committee. Becs said: ”I want to thank Stephen for bringing it back in the first place. “He has been a great sounding board if I ever needed advice.
“Last year was a fun way to start the year out.” Becs shares her advice she would give to the nine entrants. She said: “Be yourself and be your own person.
“Make it your own. “It flies by.” She has also thanked Giovanna Grieco, who stepped down as chair of the committee, for her support.
Becs added: “She has been truly amazing. “I am really going to miss the people and doing something for the community.” As current deputy, Demi Fontaine Gilchrist has spent a year supporting Becs at events - such as visiting the South Holland Centre and Spalding Library.
Demi, who is in the running this year again to be crowned queen, has enjoyed her time as deputy, forming a strong friendship with Becs. She said: “Becs and I talk all the time. “As deputy, if Becs couldn't make an event it would fall on me to lend a helping hand.
“I see being a deputy as a job.” Her highlight during the year as deputy was also travelling to Jersey. She said: “One of my top top highlights was going to Jersey.
“Not just the trip itself but seeing how a different place does the same thing but differently. “They spent so much time on the floats.“ Demi is keen to support the other entrants as she has done Becs this year.
She said: “Congratulations to the contestants. “I am excited to see who is going to be my successor. “Be yourself.
It may sound a cliché. People will like you for who you are.” Demi is studying musical theatre at Lincoln University and found her deputy role helped in other areas of her life.
She said: “You are never too old to learn. “That is why I am back at uni. “I love learning.
” Guests are encouraged to dress to impress and add a touch of glamour to the occasion on election night. For further details visit https://spaldingflowerparade.org.
uk/.
