Jersey's 12 Parishes Unite for Battle of Flowers Spectacle
This year, all twelve of Jersey's parishes will be represented in the annual Battle of Flowers festival, marking the first time in over two decades that all have participated in the event. The festival, a highlight of the island's summer calendar, kicks off on Friday with a daytime parade, followed by a moonlight procession and concerts throughout the weekend.
Organisers, designers and volunteers have poured months of effort into creating stunning floats for the event, which will be displayed along Victoria Avenue in St Helier. The parish of St Ouen, absent from the Battle since 2006, makes a triumphant return with a float designed by seasoned veteran Marcus Davies. Davies, whose first Battle float design dates back to 1978, believes 2024 marks the first time all parishes have participated in a Battle parade since the centenary event in 2002.
"I think itâs important â if thereâs any chance of this parade continuing, it needs involvement from the whole island," he said, highlighting the importance of widespread community participation in ensuring the festival's future.
Despite his long history of crafting award-winning floats for St Clement, Davies faced a unique challenge with St Ouen. "I put a lot of pressure on myself to turn out something which I'm known for, but I knew the challenge would be a new team," he shared, highlighting the newness of the team and the pressure he felt to deliver.
However, the team's dedication and enthusiasm have grown throughout the process. "Support was slow at the beginning, but it's grown. People have discovered this talent they never knew they had," Davies remarked, acknowledging the unexpected talents blossoming within the team.
Among the newcomers to the Battle of Flowers is Julie Journeaux, who volunteered her time to help St Ouen and St Mary. Journeaux's passion for the project led her to become an expert in "leafing", a specialised technique where leaves are glued to papier mâché shapes. Her proficiency has earned her the nickname "Juleaf".
Russell Labey, chairman of the Battle of Flowers Association, confirmed that the government's 2015 audit of the festival had called for the inclusion of all 12 parishes. "They're very good to us in terms of funding⦠so we're happy to meet the targets they set. It's been a lot of work for us, but absolutely worth it in the end," he stated, acknowledging the government's support and the challenges faced by the association.
Grouville, celebrating its 60th anniversary, has created a "Pop goes the 60s!" float under the direction of Nick Parlett. "It's not about the day, it's about the seven months prior to that," he explained, highlighting the dedication required to create these elaborate displays.
Meanwhile, St Peter's Eurovision float attracted an unexpected visitor: Jay Aston, a member of the 80s pop group Bucks Fizz. Aston, who won the Eurovision Song Contest with Bucks Fizz in 1981, visited the float shed on Tuesday and enjoyed a performance of the group's winning song, "Making Your Mind Up". She also helped to attach a flower to the float, contributing to the community spirit that permeates the event.
With the floats ready and the excitement building, the gates open at 14:00 BST on Friday, and the parade kicks off at 16:00. This year's Battle of Flowers promises to be a truly spectacular display of community spirit, creativity, and island pride.
