Other big changes to the event such as the reintroduction of Mr Battle and additional entertainment also proved successful. And the weather could not have been better, with glorious sunshine all day. However, organisers have said that delays which led to large gaps and meant some floats did not complete the circuit before the finale must be addressed. The Battle’s PR chairman admitted that the parade had been ‘a bit of a shambles’ from the exhibitors’ point of view. For the fifth time in six years the parish of St Clement won the top prize, the Prix d’Honneur, with their African-inspired Baobab, with the Optimists’ Club taking the runners-up Prix d’Excellence for Valhalla – Viking Sacrifice.
