Programme for the Battle of Flowers, 1911
That Was Jersey |
Local history for everyone |
CHANNEL ISLANDS |
In 1902 there were celebrations across Britain as King Edward VII was crowned. The first Battle of Flowers had been designed as a special event for Jersey’s celebration of the new King and Queen. The number of carriages that had been decorated with flowers was beyond expectations, and the event was a huge success.
The one-off event became an annual gala occasion, held each year on the Avenue, and already attracting tourists to the Island. The standards of floral decoration had been set. Once judging was over, “Battle” would commence and the carriages would be robbed of their flowers, and everyone, both great and small, would hurl flowers at one another.
The first break in the new Battle tradition was the sombre summer of 1914, as the world prepared for a more serious war. The event was revived by First Tower village fete, who held a Battle of Flowers in the park, each year from 1922 to 1927, although this was obviously a much smaller event than previously. The newspaper advertising for the first of these events comes from the Evening Post and spans the immediately preceding days. The "Carnival Week in Jersey" started on the Bank Holiday Monday (held at the beginning of August at that time) and lasted for four days.
In 1928, the Battle was taken over by the Jersey Chamber of Commerce, using Springfield stadium, home of the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society and the Muratti, as the location. The event continued each year until the Occupation put a stop to it.
After the Occupation, the Battle of Flowers returned to Victoria Avenue to celebrate the Festival of Britain in 1951. Since then, the Battle has been an annual event. The actual “battle” was stopped in 1964 due to violence, and the complete destruction of the floats. Now the floats remain intact after the parade. Indeed, special lighting effects are added to many of the floats for the moonlight parade. The date of the Battle of Flowers has fluctuated over the years, but is currently set as the second Thursday in August.
Hydrangeas were the dominant flower on many early floats
Hydrangeas were used for many years, but fashion changes over time. The first reference to other flowers came with a float from the Principality of San Remo (Italy) in 1959. Their flowers included carnations and gladioli; they also created an award to be given each year for animation. Floats created with wild flowers also competed for a specific award.
Gluing chrysanthemums onto the design, St Peter's parish float, 2006
The huge quantities of flowers required for float-building resulted in a shortage which became more of a problem as the years went by. The farming groups had an advantage in that they could grow their own flowers. By the 1980s, others overcame the problem by importing flowers. Now hydrangeas are not often seen, with the majority of flowers being chrysanthemums, asters and harestails.
Making paper flowers
Some detail and colour available using paper flowers
The first floats decorated with paper flowers came in 1980, and there were separate classes in the judging for them. The use of paper gives a wider range of colour, particularly the more vibrant hues, and the floats can be decorated further in advance of the great day. However, a shower of rain can have far more devastating effects on paper flowers than on the real thing.
Entries come from the parishes, from local clubs and societies, from groups of family and friends, and from individuals. There are various classes for judging the entries, depending on size of float, and the group responsible. The prize money helps towards the costs of the following year’s entry.
During the spring, each parish holds a competition for those wanting to represent their parish in the Miss Battle contest. After the individual parish competitions, an all-island event is held to choose someone to represent the Island for the coming year. Although the primary responsibilities relate to the Battle of Flowers celebration, there are other events, within Jersey, elsewhere in the Channel Islands, and further afield in the UK and France, to which Miss Battle will be invited.
For many years a celebrity was invited to escort Miss Battle through her duties during the Battle of Flowers. Celebrities have included famous singers and actors, in addition to local stars. There is currently no Mr Battle, but Miss Battle is still attended by a chaperone, to guide her through the minefield of social events. The chaperone is very often a former Miss Battle herself.
The parade consists of the floral floats, interspersed with marching bands, majorettes, and the carnival classes. Half of the parade starts at each end of the arena, and a commentary is provided by local radio. The Lieutenant-Governor starts the Battle with a brief speech, and the phrase “Let Battle commence!”
The main daytime parade on Thursday is followed on Friday evening by the moonlight parade. Many of the floats are lit (spotlights, disco lights, Christmas lights, and other ways), and there is generally a good carnival atmosphere for the evening.
Battle of Flowers day has expanded in recent years. The Battle funfair is usually in place for about two weeks. There are other processions through the town, and there is a real carnival atmosphere all week. For several days before the parade, it is possible to visit the floats under construction, and the tension mounts as Wednesday evening turns into early Thursday morning. After the parade, the floats are parked in Millbrook field, where they can be viewed. The moonlight parade on the following evening is often followed by fireworks.
In 1912 Charlie Chaplin appeared in the Battle of Flowers.
In 1951 one float was 51 feet high (the maximum height permitted now is 17 feet high).
In 1972 some floats were up to 70 feet long (the maximum length now is 45 feet).
The first illuminated parade was in 1989.