THE Battle of Flowers will return “stronger” in 2026 after this year’s parade was cancelled, according to the head of a newly formed breakaway group set up to breathe life back into the beleaguered event.
Martyn Maguire is also calling for sponsors to help support a scaled-down free version of the parade, which is due to take place this summer instead of traditional celebrations.
The full parade was scrapped owing to what the “strategy group”, which was recently elected at an extraordinary meeting of exhibitors and members, described as “insurmountable” financial challenges stemming from “actions” by the previous Battle board.
Of the Battle, group chair Mr Maguire said: “It’s a big part of Jersey’s heritage.
“A lot of the exhibitors have been doing it for more than 50 years. It’s gone through families. It’s been entrenched in Island history since 1902, and it’s a big part of people’s lives.
“And it’s really, really good for the community. It brings together hundreds, if not thousands of people in the Island.”
The scaled-down parade, which will take place on the usual dates, is set to include a “junior float” procession through town on the Friday, followed by a static display near the People’s Park ahead of a night parade on Saturday.
Mr Maguire explained that the strategy group took the decision to scale the parade back in order to preserve the Battle’s future by avoiding spending and financial risks.
He said: “The mountain was too high to climb for us because of unpaid bills by the previous board at the moment. We’ve got lots of creditors out there who haven’t been paid, so we thought we would start afresh.”
However, organisers are confident they can stage a successful event featuring at least 14 floats and have already submitted a “high-level plan” to the Bailiff’s entertainment panel, which grants permission for public events.
When asked about how the free event would be financed, Mr Maguire said the event would be covered by a mix of government funding of around £220,000 and private sponsorship.
He said: “Because it’s going to be a much smaller parade, we won’t have to hire in seating and have all the expenses of bringing stuff over from the UK, and we’re not going to be putting on any concerts or anything like that. So we’ll be safe. We’ll be saving a bit of money there.”
Mr Maguire added that planning was already under way for 2026.
He said: “All of us who have been involved for a long time want Battle to continue, so we’re looking ahead to 2026 and talking to the government about how we can move forward.
“We’re looking to keep battle going and come back stronger in 2026.”
Businesses interested in sponsorship can get in touch with the new group at: bofexhibitors25@gmail.com
