Tributes paid to popular Battle stalwart

Mrs Bidan (née Vibert), who entered an individual float into the annual parade for more than three decades, passed away on Wednesday.

She entered her first Battle exhibit in 1980 and continued until 2007, when she took a break due to ill health. She returned for one more year in 2008, before retiring and handing over the reins to her son, Christopher.

The parade’s event director, Jackie Donald, said that Mrs Bidan had been’ an inspiration’ to many and was a ‘true stalwart of the Battle who nurtured and encouraged many young people to get involved over the years’.