The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The first-ever Spalding parade to mark Armed Forces Week received great support.
Held on market day, a stall and bucket collection raised £751.21 for the charity Veterans’ Aid.
The parade was led by South Holland District Council chairman Coun Robert Clark and Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Tony Worth, and included Spalding Marching Ambassadors Band.
Standards borne were Royal Lincolnshire Regiment Association, Royal British Legion and the Parachute Regiment.
Parade organiser Ken Willows said: “It was an excellent parade – the first of its kind in Spalding.
“Thanks go to the various associations, the district council, Tulip Radio, the market traders, shops and the public.”
The parade, which went from Hall Place to Bridge Street, paused near The Hole In The Wall passage for a service led by Rev John Bennett and a recital of Abide With Me.
Refreshments were provided for the many attendees – some of whom had travelled long distances – at St Mary and St Nicolas Parish Church.
On the prospect of the parade becoming an annual event, Mr Willows, who is chairman of the Royal Lncolnshire Regimental Association, said: “I’d like to think so but I’m 80 next year and there’s a lot of organising work behind the scenes.”
