Outwardly, the parade went off in its customary splendour and the very many thousands of visitors to the town and South Holland will have gone away happy.

I know that behind the scenes there was something of a different story.

The tulip crop was not as good as we needed, we were desperately short of some materials and manpower sometimes seemed impossible to come by.

Despite all the problems the stalwarts of the parade responded magnificently.

The members of the operations team (the builders, headers, drivers, marshals and general dogsbodies) rallied and made it all happen.

It was the first parade that the Spalding Flower Parade and Carnival Trust had organised independently and it is obvious that we, and especially I as organiser, have a lot to learn.

We will endeavour to do a better job next year, but for now I must thank each and every one of the people who helped for their support and loyalty.

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

CHRIS ELLIOTT