Battle of Flowers 'will return to its roots'

A breakaway committee set up to try and save the Battle of Flowers says a smaller, free version of the event is to go ahead with support from a government grant.

Martyn Maguire, who leads the Battle Strategy Group, said: "We're going to take battle back to its roots, but we're not going to over-step ourselves... simply because we can't afford it."

Economic Development Minister Deputy Kirsten Morel confirmed that up to £220,000 was available, contingent on a "good business plan".

He said: "Having a battle which is constrained in terms of its funding will enable people to focus a lot harder, stick to their budgets a lot better, and create a battle which people will be really proud of and enjoy."

Earlier this week, accounts for the Battle of Flowers were leaked, showing significant losses.

In 2024, there was a deficit of more than £150,000 on top of a loss in 2023 of more than £80,000.

This week also saw the Battle Strategy Group meet with Morel and exhibitors to try and find a way forward for the event.

Martyn Maguire confirmed there were plans to stage the event in August as normal, with a day parade on Friday 8 and a night parade on Saturday 9.

He said: "We are getting close to getting battle out of the woods.

"Obviously debts need to be settled. Battle does have some assets - we're going to use those to secure against the debt, and then hopefully we'll get that behind us, but it's going to take time.

"We're only going to spend what we've got. We know what we're doing. We've got a lot of very experienced exhibitors on the team.

"We're going to take battle back to its roots. We're going to put on a really good parade with lots of things in the parade, but we're not going to over-step ourselves... simply because we can't afford it".

Speaking to the BBC, Morel said all parties were working together to find a way to hold a parade.

He said: "It won't be the main type of parade down the avenue, but something through town on a smaller scale, using junior floats and the smaller floats.

"I'll only give that money on receipt of a good business plan. And so that's the next stage for the group involved is to create that business plan and bring that forward.

"What we're talking about is a much smaller event, a free event, and one I think that could help to reinvigorate the battle and that feeling of bringing it closer to the community."

In a statement, the current Board of the Jersey Battle of Flowers said it remained "committed to working with stakeholders to resolve outstanding financial obligations", and that it "fully supports the Battle Strategy Group as it takes the reins in planning future battle events".

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