When was your first Battle?
My first recollection was when I lived at Clubley Estate, about 54 years ago. The estate entered a small, pull-along float, covered in hydrangeas.
How have you been involved since?
In the early 1990s I took over as chairman of the Trinity Battle of Flowers Association, a role which I held for four years. I then had a break of two years, but as a Vingtenier in the parish I used to escort the Trinity-built floats down to the arena. I was then approached by the Battle organisers to be a steward, and to assist the judges, and I then progressed to be a judge on Panel B. Last year I was appointed as referee and scrutineer, and this year I have been appointed exhibits director.
What are you doing this year?
As exhibits director, I am in charge of the exhibitors. I pick the judges and organise the judging times. I also work out the budget for the guarantees which the floatbuilders receive, and I organise the presentation night.
What’s your favourite thing about Battle?
The Battle of Flowers is something that is unique, and being part of it, as chairman of Trinity, steward, judge and now a director, gives me immense enjoyment.
What was your favourite float to work on?
The best float I was involved with as chairman of Trinity had to be Eye of the Tiger, which won us the Prix d’Excellence in 1994. The harestailed tigers’ heads have since been immortalised on the Trinity Tapestry at the Maritime Museum.
And the best float you’ve ever seen?
How can you pick one float above another? Whether junior, senior, wildflower or paper, the amount of work that goes into every float is amazing. The work, dedication and detail done by every exhibitor deserve a huge round of applause.
Sum up the Battle in three words:
Wow! Wow! Wow!
