WITH 40 years of Battle experience, Margaret Fitzgerald is more than qualified to be the parade controller. Married to Dave, the St Brelade resident has one daughter, Tracy. She works as school secretary at Les Quennevais.

What does your role involve?
Sorting travel and accommodation for visiting bands. I usually start making inquiries just after the Battle for the following year, and all on a very low budget, especially this year. I also co-ordinate entertainment in the two parades, including bands, dance groups and Miss Parishes. This year I am parade controller, which additionally involves arranging the order of exhibits and bands.

How long have you done it for?
I was elected onto the council six years ago as bands and carnival co-ordinator and was recently invited onto the board.

Why do you do it?
Because I thoroughly enjoy it. I hope that with more local support the Battle will continue for many years to come.

Does anyone help you?
Collette Willmett at West Park, Brian Rondel and Lynne Hind at First Tower and numerous minders for the bands.

Before taking on this role, were you involved in Battle in any other ways?
First with St Clement, when my father built the floats and mother was on the committee. Over many years of involvement with St Clement I’ve been on their committee and many times on the float. I took a few years out when my daughter was born, then came back to the Battle again. When you are brought up with the Battle in the family you never loose that involvement.

Where will you be during the parade?
At West Park, making sure that the parade starts on time, the everyone is in the right place at the right time and in the correct order.

What do you like about the Battle of Flowers?
The exhibits have changed dramatically over the years and are now even more breathtaking, but most importantly the community spirit is there, and always will be. It has more than 4,500 volunteers taking part and I hope that despite financial difficulties which everyone is suffering from, the Battle will continue for many years to come.

Why do you think that the parade still has an important role to play in Jersey life?
It brings people from all walks of life together and is different every year. The number of visitors to the Island has dropped, but they still come for the Battle along with more locals each year.