Funding threat to Battle

Friday 27th June 2008, 3:00PM BST.

WITH just under six weeks to go until the Battle of Flowers, the free seating has been scrapped and other elements of the event are in jeopardy because of a significant lack of funding.

No lead sponsor has yet come forward, meaning that a fireworks display for the finale of the Moonlight Parade and other crucial elements of the event may not be able to go ahead.

The Battle committee has also announced today that it will be scrapping the ‘free parade’ element which it introduced last year – although it says this is not solely for financial reasons.

And despite Economic Development Minister Philip Ozouf announcing in the States in March that he would sort out the extra £14,000 needed to cover the cost of float guarantees, parade organisers say they have still not seen that money.

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1
C.Brady

June 27, 2008 at 8:36 pm

My Jersey and its traditions are dying in front of me and i cry for the future.
Am i really alone in this thought?

First the Airshow, Now The Battle! What next?
LISTEN TO THE ISLANDERS before it is too late!

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2
Phil Collins

June 28, 2008 at 3:56 am

I believe we should pause to view the Battle within a modern context. In years gone by it has served largely as a tourist draw to the island, but times have changed. Jersey is no longer a major destination for tourists, so the natural audience for the Battle has withered.

With that in mind, it’s illogical to pump public money into the event purely to keep it afloat “because it’s a tradition”. Next year the organisers will need to ask for more cash, the year after that, more cash again. And with each passing year the tourist attendance figures will continue to dwindle.

Allow the Battle to die a natural death, and in the highly unlikely event our tourism industry manages to revive itself, we can always revive the Battle.

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