When was your first Battle?
I first got involved with the Battle of Flowers about five years ago, helping out by grading the flowers and gradually getting more and more involved. My daughter Natalie was involved with the Grouville Juniors float so it’s through her that I would pop my head into the Battle shed and end up doing little jobs on the senior float. I also knew many of the Grouville Battle team, who persuaded me to go onto the committee.
What are you doing this year?
I have been more involved with the Battle this year as my design, which is the first I have ever done, was selected for Grouville’s float. So I have been living, sleeping and dreaming about the float ever since!
What’s your favourite thing about the Battle?
I love the new friends that I have made and I am constantly amazed at how the Grouville community all get together to help. The atmosphere in our shed is wonderful. I am also loving watching my design come to life from a drawing and model to a 40 ft float.
What was your favourite float to work on?
Well I have to say that this year’s float, Masquerade, is my favourite as I designed it! I imagined the concept of the float in my head, from the music to the costumes to the choreography, and thanks to all the wonderful team my dream is coming alive!
The best float you’ve ever seen?
I was most impressed with St Saviour’s Prix d’Honneur-winning float Hanamachi in 2009, which was a Japanese float with bonsai trees, fans and Geisha girls. I loved the use of colour and choice of music and its overall effect was truly stunning.
Sum up the Battle in three words?
Amazing community spirit!
