The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A Spalding group is to look at creating a permanent way to mark the coronation of King Charles III.
The town forum wants to green light the release of money from South Holland District Council towards a lasting monument to the event on Saturday, May 6.
And members are open to suggestions as to what it should be.
At its meeting last week, members discussed the town’s plans for the event which includes a garden party at Ayscoughfee Hall.
Chair of the forum Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, said: “Most towns are marking the date with some symbolism.
“Some sort of plaque or object within our town would be interesting and we should we be looking for a location.
“It’s about marking this event on behalf of the people of Spalding.
“It’s a once in a lifetime thing for most people and we should be looking to make a mark that’s memorable and suitable for a place the size of Spalding.
“Lets look at what’s achievable and have that discussion with the money people.”
Coun Christine Lawton told the meeting that for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation all children in Spalding received a book and silver spoon, the latter of which she still had, while David Jones suggested giving school pupils a bookmark.
The forum agreed to not get involved with the district council’s plan for the garden party at Ayscoughfee.
Coun Rob Gibson though said more should be done in our town centre.
“The idea around Ayscoughfee sounds nice, it’s a lovely area, it’s our marquee area and I understand that,” he said. “But we need to be looking at our town centre.
“There’s got to be something to get the public into our town centre and support the businesses.
“We do well with the Pumpkin Parade, surely we should be able to do something on that sort of scale. The parishes out there do wonderful things and have lots planned.
“I don’t want it to end up like the Queen’s Jubilee where the town centre was left out.”
Coun Steve Timewell told the forum that as the organiser of the Spalding Flower Parade being held the week after, he’d had conversations about the flowers in the town centre being put up earlier for both events.
Coun Gambba-Jones said: “If the forum wishes to make the town centre a blaze of flowers which will last from coronation through to the flower parade then so be it.”
“This is going to be part of history and something most people haven’t experienced before,” Coun Gary Taylor said. “It’s important to mark the occasion across Spalding.
