What began over a century ago as a ‘one-off’ celebration to mark a Royal Coronation has since grown to become not only one of the largest floral carnivals in Europe but a piece of Jersey’s history.
In celebration of the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra the Island of Jersey decided to stage a parade. So successful was the event, held on August 9th 1902 in that organisers decided to repeat it the following year – and so began a summer tradition, which continues to this very day. The Battle began as a flower parade, but along the route the flowers were torn off and thrown to the spectators. They threw them back, and the Battle was born. During the Battle’s history there have only been two periods of time when world events forced its cancellation; World War I saw the parade abandoned and not reinstated until 1926. Similarly during the Second World War and Occupation of the Channel Islands all festivities, including the Battle of Flowers parade were suspended. It wasn’t until the 1950s when a group of local businessmen decided that a revival of the Battle was much needed as a focus for the community as well as an additional benefit for the Island’s emerging tourism industry. The 1952 battle was also particularly special because not only did it help celebrate the accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11, but it was also the 50th anniversary of the event, it was watched by more than 40,000 spectators and included more than 100 entries. The following year, the first Miss Battle of Flowers was chosen to grace the 1953 parade, and in 1954 the first male star - Anthony Steel - accompanied the carnival queen. Miss Anna Neagle was the star in 1956, but from then on it has always been a male star of stage, screen or sport who has been the escort for Miss Battle on her big day. The Battle continued to grow
in popularity during the 1960’s, when it was attracting audiences of about 60,000. In 1964 it was decided that the Battle (in its literal sense) should be stopped, as it was getting too unruly. A new finale was introduced - Petals from Heaven - when paper petals were dropped from aeroplanes. This wasn’t always successful though because of wind conditions! In 1989 as a further way to enhance the carnival atmosphere, it was decided to introduce the Moonlight Parade. Although the parade is very similar to the previous day’s event this time the floats are illuminated by thousands of tiny lights, creating a truly magical spectacle and, some may argue a more carnival feel, as the exhibitors have the chance to let their hair down and party well into the evening. But to get a true flavour of Battle spectators are recommended to experience both parades. At the heart of the Battle has always been the sense of community commitment and pride, although that is not to say competition among exhibitors remains strong. Over the years as the event grew so did the types of floats, which nowadays can be anything up to 45 foot in length, and horses replaced by hidden motorised machinery to carry the float around the arena. The floats themselves are works of art with designs a closely guarded secret right up to the grand reveal on Battle day itself. Islanders of all ages and from all backgrounds work tirelessly for months getting the floats ready; whether that be cutting fresh flowers (predominantly chrysanthemums, shipped in from the UK and Holland as well as locally-grown asters), or preparing dried flowers and harestails (lagurus grass) to make intricate patterns and designs. This workload of course increases in the weeks leading up to the parade with warehouses and sheds around the Island abuzz with battle fever throughout the day and long into the night; in particularly the eve of Battle will see many
of the exhibitors working against the clock to finish their masterpiece on time before the float makes its way in the early hours of the morning to the parade arena. The music for the parade has been provided Taye over the years by numerous very fine local and visiting bands, including the Band of the United States Air Force, the Dutch Rijnmondband Schiedam, the Tivoli Boys Band from Denmark and many British military bands.The majorettes troupes which add so much to the colour and movement of the parade have become increasingly popular and the floats themselves are now much animated. And of course the reward for all this hard work is not only taking part in the parade itself in front of tens of thousands of spectators but for the awards (not to forget keeping their reputations intact). There are numerous prizes awarded by an independent judging panel, including best set design, best costume, and animation. However, it is the major prize of Prix d’Honnour that everyone wishes to win. To describe the Jersey Battle of Flowers parades and its history in just a few short paragraphs doesn’t do the event justice; everyone who experiences Battle, whether that be as an exhibitor or spectator takes away something different every time. As the Island’s oldest event and one of its best loved, it looks likely to be going just as strong into the next century.
Miss Jersey Battle of Flowers 2013 is Taye Le Monnier.
The Jersey College for Girls, student, who lives in the Parish of St Ouen, won the title in April 2013, heading off competition from 16 other girls and now be
Le
monnier
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Mikey
North
comes the 60th holder of the Miss Jersey Battle of Flowers title. Taye, who has just completed her six A-levels, plans to study in London to become a lawyer and in the future wishes to run her own business, looking after the legal interest of disadvantaged youngsters. Describing herself as “fun”, “enthusiastic” and “sociable”, 18-year old Taye is still getting used to the idea of becoming an Ambassador for Jersey but her charm and out-going personality has already won over the many people she has met so far and she will no doubt prove to be the perfect ‘Star of the Show’ during this year’s Parades.
Coronation Street star, Mikey North is this year’s Mr Battle.
The 26-year old actor, who has played the role of troubled ex-soldier Gary Windass in the popular ITV1 drama serial since 2008 will accompany this year’s Miss Jersey Battle of Flowers, 18-year old Taye Le Monnier at both the Day Parade on Thursday 8 and Moonlight Parade on Friday 9 August. Chairman of the Jersey Battle of Flowers, Tony Perkins, says, ‘Coronation Street is one of the UK’s most watched television programmes and we are therefore delighted to have secured one of its most popular characters as this year’s Mr Battle. Unlike his badboy image as portrayed on screen we have no doubt that in real life Mikey will be the perfect gentleman to escort our very own Miss Battle’.