Spalding Flower Show

Spalding Flower Show

 

The history of the Spalding Flower Parade stretches back nearly a century, with its roots planted in the 1920s. The event gained prominence in 1935 when the tulip crop coincided with the Jubilee celebrations of King George V and Queen Mary, drawing massive crowds and transforming the occasion into a major spectacle.

 

1935: The Birth of Tulip Time

 

The influx of visitors in 1935 overwhelmed Spalding, creating traffic chaos on the narrow country roads leading to the tulip fields. To address these issues, the Tulip Time Committee was established. The committee introduced a one-way traffic system, organized the annual Tulip Queen competition, and managed the logistics for the growing number of visitors. The crowning of the Tulip Queen became a hallmark of the celebrations, signalling the start of Tulip Time.

 

The First Official Tulip Parade (1959)

 

The inaugural Tulip Parade took place in 1959 and quickly gained international acclaim. Within three years, the event attracted up to 250,000 spectators who lined the three-mile parade route. To enhance the experience, a four-day static exhibition was introduced, allowing visitors to admire the elaborate floats up close.

At its peak, the parade featured grand floats adorned with up to 250,000 fresh tulip heads. The event became synonymous with Spalding, with mentions of the town often evoking thoughts of the Flower Parade. A Tulip Queen, later joined by a Miss Tulipl and and eventually a Flower Queen, represented the town for a year, participating in various events before passing the title to her successor. Celebrity appearances added further glamour to the parade.

Float Construction

 

In the early days, floats were crafted from metal frames covered in straw and adorned with pinned fresh flowers. Over time, straw gave way to polythene foam, and artificial flowers became more common as tulip availability declined. In the later years, tulips were occasionally imported from Holland. Local blacksmith Geoff Dodd created the metal frames, while volunteers worked tirelessly, often late into the night, to decorate the floats.

 

Cultural Connections with Jersey

 

During the parade’s height, the Flower Queen forged cultural ties with Jersey’s Battle of Flowers. The queens from each event would visit and participate in the other’s parade, fostering a unique exchange. However, these exchanges ended as rising costs made them unsustainable.

 

The Final Parade (2013)

 

The last Spalding Flower Parade was held in 2013, marking the 55th event. Declining funding, waning popularity, and the perception of being outdated led to its cancellation. That year, cold weather stunted the tulip crop, requiring artificial materials to supplement the floats. The parade’s relocation to the out-of-town Springfields shopping centre drew criticism, with many lamenting its impact on the town centre and its heritage. Spalding came to be known as the town that “used to have a Flower Parade.”

 

The Revival (2023)

 

After a ten-year hiatus, the Flower Parade returned in 2023, reigniting community pride and introducing a new generation to the tradition. Spearheaded by local resident Steve Timewell, the revival was a grassroots effort supported by hundreds of volunteers and over £80,000 in private funding. Modernizing the tradition, the role of “South Holland Ambassador” replaced the Flower Queen. Nineteen-year-old Star Perry, assisted by Holly Kendrick, was elected to represent the area.

 

The 2023 parade incorporated both fresh tulips and innovative touches like 20,000 handmade knitted flowers, ensuring resilience against unpredictable tulip crops. Held on May 13, 2023, the event was a triumphant return to Spalding’s cultural calendar.

 

Spalding Flower Parade | Official Website

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The majority of trips return from destination between 16:30 and 17:30. The driver will inform you of the exact time on the day, dependant on outward travel times. Whilst we do not guarantee a W/C on board most of our excursion fleet do have toilet facilities. For your comfort we allocate seating at time of booking, however reserve the right to alter or amend your seat allocation for utilisation purposes.

 

Our Pick-ups are as follows:

 

• Wath-Upon-Dearne – Bus Stop On Church Street

• Brampton – Outside The Bulls Head

• Wombwell – Summer Lane Car Park

• Platts Common – Sammys (Old WMC)

• Hoyland Southgate – Bus Stop Outside Co-op / Town Hall

• Hoyland Common – Outside / Opp Co-Op

• Birdwell – Working Mens Club

• Worsborough – Ship Inn Vernon Road

• Barnsley Interchange – Stands 23/24