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Battle organisers want parade to stay free but return to Victoria Avenue

The Battle of Flowers Association wants the summer parade to remain free, but to return to Victoria Avenue next year.

Organisers have confirmed they want the summer parades to continue to be free to watch.

At the Association's AGM this week, members also said they want to go back to Victoria Avenue, but along one lane so that islanders can still get closer to the exhibits and performers.

Floats went through the centre of St Helier last month, and spectators welcomed the change.

PICTURES: Battle of Flowers weekend 

Martyn Maguire has been re-elected chair of the association and has committed to keeping elements of the 2025 parade that were loved by islanders.

READ: What will Battle of Flowers 2026 look like?

He says that on Victoria Avenue, they can have concession stands and big floats, which it has been agreed will be up to 35 feet long:

"The general consensus (at the AGM) was that we should try and emulate what we did in town, but back on the Avenue. 

"The main reason for that is the logistics - the road closure plan - where we're not sure if the town route will be available. 

"It's decided that we would try to re-create an intimate battle, just do a one-pass parade on one lane and use the other lanes for people.

"We have made it our mission to ensure that Battle is free from now on and forever. We don't want to charge for Battle. 

"But with that comes the issue around funding.

"Whilst the government have been very good to us over the years, there's an ever-increasing demand for a decreasing pot of money."

A funding bid will need to be made.  Ministers approved an extra £120,000 of support this year but said that was an 'advance' that would need to be recouped from future events.

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