Latest news with #SustainableEconomicDevelopment
BBC News
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Battle of Flowers cancelled: What do people think?
Members of the public, people involved and politicians have been reacting to the cancellation of Jersey's 2025 Battle of Flowers. Organisers announced on Friday the event, known as battle, which has been held since 1902, would not go ahead due to financial difficulties including a £150,000 overspend in Battle Strategy Group, a breakaway committee from the organisation, has promised to hold a smaller version of the event for islanders this year. Jersey's chief minister and former battle chair, Lyndon Farnham, said the event "needs a complete recalibration, both logistically and financially, following the lessons learnt from 2024". Chris Bidan's family has been making floats for battle for generations said the cancellation was "devastating". "I'm a little bit disappointed this has happened and if things had been done slightly differently things might have been okay," he said. "Until we know the full extent or where the money has gone we won't know about battle moving forwards."We want to keep it going." Martyn Maguire leads the Battle Strategy Group breakaway committee and said the financial situation of the event was "unclear"."We are in a difficult situation where we don't know what our bottom line is financially," he said."The board aren't talking to us, we are waiting for an AGM (annual general meeting) to happen. "We cannot let this happen again." He added: "As a group of exhibitors we promise we will put something on for islanders. "We are desperate to keep it going, we want to keep it going, in fact we will keep it going."Russell Labey, the chairman of the Battle of Flowers, said the decision was "disappointing" but it was "sensible to take the time to secure a lasting future for the event". Connétable of Grouville, Mark Labey, said the cancellation of the event was a "tragedy"."It's part of our heritage, it's part of our history, it's part of a lot of people's lives," he said. "There are many individuals around the island that spend over 1000 hours a year making these floats."I'm sure there will be a lot of people who have been heavily involved with battle for many years that will be very disappointed." Jersey resident Imogen Brooks was asked for her thoughts and said: "I think it's definitely a shame, a lot of families look forward to it, it's kind of a part of the Jersey calendar."It's something that gets passed down from generation to generation."People grow up doing it and then their kids end up doing it. I think it will be a loss for Jersey for sure." 'Deep significance' Cheif Minister Lyndon Farnham said he was disappointed but "not altogether surprised"."I'm confident battle will return in 2026 and they can be assured of the government's continued support moving forward," he for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said the "right way forward" needed to be found."We understand the battle's deep significance for many islanders, and we are working with the battle to secure its long-term future," he said.
BBC News
09-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey Central Market benches made from storm-felled trees
Timber from trees destroyed by Storm Ciarán has been used for new benches at a Jersey market in a move aimed at encouraging shoppers to stay there benches were commissioned for the entrance to the Central Market at French Lane as part of a plan to develop Jersey's traditional design was inspired by the architecture of the historic St Helier market building, which is home to nearly 40 independent traders. It follows a strategic market review in 2022 which said there was insufficient seating. 'Enhancing the environment' The report said: "The market experience would be improved if more customer seating could be provided, both shared spaces as well as more seating internally and externally at kiosks."The benches were made by local collective Racc'moder from Holm Oak trees collected from a pile of timber at La Collette destroyed by Storm Ciarán in Kirsten Morel, Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, pledged "to enhance public-realm attractiveness" in the government's Future Fit Retail Road Map, launched in government said: "While these two benches may seem like a small addition, small things count in enhancing the environment of the place." 'Local timber' It hoped extra seating would encourage islanders to stay at the market for Xanthe Hamilton said: "The design honours the beauty of Jersey's natural resources and a sustainable approach to production, making the most of our precious resources."We salvaged 70 tonnes of timber from the La Collette green waste site following the storm and invested in a mobile wood mill to make the most of our local timber."
