The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding’s Armed Forces Day parade returned for the first time since 2019 on Tuesday.
Led by standard bearers and bikers and including veterans and dignitaries, the parade marched through Hall Place into Market Place in a show of support for those serving the country.
Among those involved also were the Police Mini Cadets from Spalding Primary School and members of the 1406 (Spalding) Squadron of the RAF Air Cadets.
The choir of Ayscoughfee Hall School led the singing of The National Anthem in town as part of the service led by Rev John Bennett with readings carried out by Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire William Webb.
After the service the parade continued over the river via a number of volunteers who helped close the streets to St Mary and St Nicholas Church where the choir again sang.
Afterwards all the children who took part were presented with a special jubilee commemorative coin presented by the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant and South Holland District Council chair Paul Redgate.
Chief organiser Jan Whitbourn, said: “It went very well and t everybody I’ve spoken to said they enjojyed it.
“Thank you to everyone who took part and helped including the standard bearers for whom in particular it was a very hot day.
Ayscoughfee sang beautifully and they and all the children involved were absolutely thrilled to get the commemorative coin.
“I want to thank them and all the mayors who came from different areas. “I would like to thank Bev Paskell from the South Holland Centre who did an amazing job getting the PA system and got the stage set up.
“It was a fitting tribute to those who have served and continue to serve our country.”
Elsewhere, the Spalding branch of The Merchant Navy Association were invited to South Holland District Council’s Priory Road office as part of the service of raising the flag for Armed Forces Day.
The branch’s chairperson Roy Glencross with his standard bearer Ben Stock and accompanying three branch members Dennis Marriott, Joan Woolard and John Flynn.
