Battle Of The Flowers

admin · 24-10-2007, 17:44 PM

Battle of Flowers

The Battle of Flowers is the Island's best-known event, is watched by thousands of tourists and Islanders each year and covered extensively in the Jersey Evening Post.

The first Battle of Flowers was held in 1902, when floats were decked out with flowers and exhibited as a novel way to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII. Two world wars and the continuing challenge of coming up with new ideas for floats has not deterred the thousands of people who take art in the parade each year, though, as every second Thursday in August sees the cars on Victoria Avenue being swapped for enormous floral floats, all competing for the Prix d'Honneur.

In the early days, when the cavalcade was over, jubilant spectators would rip the floats to pieces and indulge in a good-natured flower fight. Nowadays, it's a much more sedate affair, with the floats remaining in tact for the Moonlight Parade the following evening, when the floats are illuminated and the atmosphere is more like a carnival.

admin · 04-02-2008, 16:59 PM

The cost of entering Battle of Flowers is going up. The introduction of GST in May means it'll cost participants more to build their floats.

And some are worried about where they'll find the extra cash. Rob, Adrian and Friends entered a float for the first time last year.

In this year's event, they're hoping to build on the success of 2007 when their float won five major awards.

But the question of money and the cost of entering looms large.

Adrian Parsan says the cost of building their float is £14,000 - £10,000 of that coming from grants. Float builders have to find the rest of the cash and Adrian hopes float-building will be GST free.

'We're hoping that they're going to say we're a charity, because none of us get paid for anything that we do,' Adrian told us.

Battle organisers are currently waiting to hear from the Economic Development Department.

Paul · 05-02-2008, 13:18 PM

How else can they raise the cash to bring over high profile guests each year? i hear we may be getting Sam Fox this year

admin · 21-02-2008, 20:44 PM

A CRISIS meeting is to be held by Battle of Flowers organisers because too many floats want to enter this year’s parade and there is not enough money to go around.

Economic Development is refusing to increase their funding for the Island’s premier tourist attraction, meaning that some exhibitors could be told that they cannot enter.

Even previous winners may be asked to pull out, despite many of the entrants having already started work on their floats.
Following the success of last year’s parade, which featured 26 entries, a total of 31 organisations, including nine parishes, want to enter this year’s event on 14 August

UserName · 22-02-2008, 09:45 AM

When you think of all the unecessary things the States throw money away at, it's an absolute disgrace that they can't keep Battle going properly - for what is comparatively peanuts.

Amy · 25-02-2008, 11:55 AM

I think the problem lies with who is a charity and who is not. If you are a registered charity you will get a grant if not then you will have to pay your own costs. If everyone said they were a charity then it would amount to a lot of money the states would have to pay out.

admin · 04-03-2008, 15:27 PM

The island's Battle of Flowers Float builders met at St Saviour's parish hall last night to discuss the fact that the 2008 grants will only cover the cost of 26 floats - not the 31 which have entered into this year's parade.

They voted in favour of asking the Economic Development Committee for the £14,000 shortfall.

If they can't secure the additional funds many float builders feel they may not be able to afford to go into Battle this year.

It was also revealed last night that the Battle of Britain is facing financial problems too - the committee don't know yet what aid they'll be getting

UserName · 04-03-2008, 15:39 PM

14k is chickenfeed to the States - if we lose a Battle this year for the sake of the kind of dosh they waste left right and center, it will be yet more evidence of ministers not fit to govern.

Haggis · 04-03-2008, 16:00 PM

Why pay for a float when that money can be put to good use...for free car parking, mobles, getting pished at the l'horizon????

UserName · 11-08-2008, 13:09 PM

The weather isn't looking good for Thursday - wind and rain.
What would happen, I wonder, if it was really bad - the worst Battle weather ever? Would that spell the end for it? Would it be the final straw?