WITH numerous Islanders and tourists planning to pack Victoria Avenue tomorrow afternoon and on Friday night, keeping control of them all is no easy task.

However, it’s one that 40-year-old Ian Le Gallais thoroughly enjoys. When he’s not involved with the parade he works in haulage as a machine driver for Barette Plant Hire.

What does your role involve?
Once the office has received the names of all of the stewards I have to put them into the nine different sections and send them all briefing papers of the details they need and of a meeting at the Town Hall where we go through with a briefing of the whole event.

On Battle day and at the Moonlight Parade I check-in all 135 of them along with two other helpers and send them to their section leaders, who then take them to their places in the arena. Once the gates are open I am in control of making sure that all runs smoothly until the end of the parade, where we then make sure everyone leaves safely.

We then check every steward out. On the Moonlight Parade the above is the same apart from giving the marshals a small thank you for working for us. If an incident occurs within the arena I have to deal with it and also decide whether the Executive Officer is needed or the police.

How long have you done it for?
I have been involved with the Battle since I was 22 and have carried out this role for three years.

Why do you do it?
The love of the Battle and also the community part of it.

Anyone who helps you to carry out your role successfully?
I have ten section leaders who are my right-hand men and women in the arena. Without them the crowd control wouldn’t be possible. Many of them have been doing the job for more than 15 years.

Prior to carrying out this role were you involved in the Battle in any other ways?
I have been involved from the age of 22. I was first involved with floats, becoming chairman of the Young Farmers Club for two years and then helping with St Ouen’s float for five years. I then went onto the council and organised the Miss Battle competition for four years. I then started with the crowd control section for three years and also did one year as exhibitor’s chairman. I now have returned to crowd control and this is my third year.

Where will you be during the parade?
All over the arena.

What do you like about the Battle of Flowers?
There is nothing like the Battle floats anywhere else in the world, with so much detail and 100 per cent flower coverage on them. I do feel though that the style of the parade needs to change as it has been the same now for over 60 years and needs revamping to move with the times and also to try and cut costs.

Why do you think that the parade still has an important role to play in Jersey life?
It has a very important part in Jersey life because of tradition and also because it is a massive community event.