It was 25 years ago, when I was 20 years old and I drove the parish of St Peter float, Wild West. I was living in the parish and they were looking for a driver, so I volunteered.
How have you been involved since?
I drove the St Peter float for three years, and then I moved to the Mary Bidan and Friends float. The first year I was their driver and then the second year I took more interest in the Battle and was involved with helping to build the float. Seven years ago I started doing my own float with my friend Rob Shaw. Rob left for England last year so now I run the team, called Adrian and Friends, myself.
What are you doing this year?
I’m leading the team and in the parades I’ll be driving our float, Motors Mall, inspired by the Disney film Cars. It’s an all-year-round thing because we do the Christmas parade as well, and we’ve been working on this float since January.
Who do you think has been the best Mr Battle to date?
I don’t really get to see the Mr Battles because I’m inside the float. Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden was good a couple of years ago because he came around to see the floats on the Friday when we were wiring them for the Moonlight Parade.
What’s the best float you’ve ever seen in the Battle?
I don’t get to see the floats because I’m stuck inside the cab looking at a TV monitor – I only get to see them parked up in the field afterwards and you can’t really get a feel of them because the people aren’t on them. My favourite float that we’ve ever done was our first one, Ice Cool, in 2007 and my favourite one that I was involved with with Mary Bidan and Friends was No Place Like Gnome.
Why do you love being involved with the Battle?
It’s mad! You either love Battle or you don’t. I like the community spirit and my favourite thing is seeing the kids’ faces light up when they see the floats. There’s a great atmosphere in the shed – once the flowers arrive, everyone really pulls together to get the float finished.
