LANARK LANIMER DAY
An ancient celebration held within the Royal Burgh of Lanark on the Thursday between the Sixth and Twelfth days of June annually since the year 1140.
 

Jersey Battle Of The Flowers

The Jersey Battle of Flowers dates back to 1902 when a floral festival and parade was held on the same stretch of road as is still used today, to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. In those early days and in fact right up to 1964, the Parade concluded with both participants and spectators arming themselves with flowers from the various exhibits which were then thrown around in all directions, thus the name Battle of Flowers came into being. Unfortunately, after a number of accidents, the use of different materials over the years and the introduction of vigorous health and safety regulations this has stopped happening today.

Allowing for the breaks for the two World Wars, the Battle has been held annually since 1902 and has now been held continuously since 1951 when it was revived following the Second World War and the occupation of the Channel Islands and in that year was watched by some 40,000 spectators.

Today the Battle comprises of approximately 30 decorated exhibits in fresh flowers. Wild flowers and paper flowers ranging from 15 to 45ft. The larger 45ft exhibits are exclusively fully floral and are built and presented by the various Parish communities and a number of Clubs and Associations. Such entries carry approximately 100,000 blooms, which today are mainly chrysanthemums and thousands of dried Hares tails, they take many months of dedicated work to put together and now cost in the region of £20,000 to produce each entry.

Competition is fierce with the judging taking place prior to the parade and although there are many prizes for the various classes, everybody wants to win the top award for best overall in show "the Prix D'Honneur" and in a small island like Jersey the prestige's title of current champions is well worth fighting for.

The Battle of Flowers is now Jersey's premier tourist event and takes place on the 2nd Thursday in August every year featuring the afternoon carnival parade with the spectacular Moonlight parade, were all the floats return fully illuminated, taking place on the following evening. Tickets for both parades now go on sale and are available to purchase as soon as each event is over. To supplement the exhibits, both the afternoon and evening parades include numerous bands who come from the Island and all over Europe together with groups of Majorettes, Commercial entries, carnival groups, individual entertainers, visiting Carnival Queens and Battle's very own Miss Jersey Battle of Flowers.

The parades take place along Jersey's only dual carriageway within an enclosed and spectacularly decorated arena which covers just over a mile in length and which the participants make two circuits. Grandstands are erected and pavement seats are placed along the length of the parade and provide seating for some 12,000 spectators who come from all over the world, many of whom return year after year.

Lynn and Steve Bouchard have been involved with the Battle for over forty years, and like many, since they were both children. Together they have helped run one of the most formidable Clubs and Association entries "The Optimists Club" since they started in 1983. During that time the club have managed to win the coveted Prix D'Honneur on nine occasions and have now become the one of the major exhibitors in the parade. Steve has designed and produced every entry for the club together with designing for a number of other major exhibitors and is now revered as one of the best float designers in Battle today. Lynn is particularly well known within Battle for her beautiful costume design and production together with her exceptional talent in flowering and attention to detail.