Flower parade float design joy for Bethany
A Spalding youngster has shown that dreams can come true by winning this year’s Flower Parade float design competition.
Bethany Thompson will see her drawing of a large present topped with balloons turned into a spectacular tulip-covered float for the event on May 4 after her entry was picked out as the best.
The 12-year-old student at Sir John Gleed School in Spalding will also get to ride around the town centre on the float, at last fulfilling a dream to be involved in the annual event.
Bethany said: “I like designing things, but I never thought I’d win and I didn’t really believe my mum when she told me.
“I thought about what the day of the parade would be like when I came up with my idea and I just thought of presents and balloons.
“My friends have said ‘well done’ to me and that they’ll be watching me on the day of the parade.”
For the second year running the Spalding Guardian teamed up with parade organisers Kenyon Communications in challenging youngsters aged 12 and under to come up with a colourful design for the People’s Float.
Bethany, who is a member of the Fourth Spalding Scouts’ group, will work with designer Debbie Lishman to produce the float and the youngster’s family will be invited to help pin tulips on the float in the week before the parade.
Bethany’s mum, Rachel Thompson (37), of Franklin Drive, Spalding, said: “Bethany was at her friend’s house when the call came about the competition and when I phoned her up, she was quite excited.
“We entered her a lot of times in the flower parade prince and princess competition because she’s always wanted to ride on a float.
“What makes it even more exciting is that 2013 is the last flower parade, so I’m going to put her drawing and other things in a memory box so that when she’s older, Bethany can show it to her own children.”
Mrs Thompson saw the competition advertised on the Spalding Guardian’s Facebook page and immediately thought her daughter should enter.
“Bethany is quite artistic, but I don’t know where she gets it from because neither me nor her dad are good at art,” Mrs Thompson said.
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Weather for Spalding
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
