Battle "stalwart" fights on amid troubles

Tuesday 19 February 2019

They might not be out of the woods just yet, but previous Battle of Flowers award-winners St. Clement say they will still be taking part in this year's competition - despite still not having found a permanent home for their floats.

Those who attended the association's annual general meeting last week voted to begin work on a float rather than face the prospect of St. Clement “crashing out” of the Battle after 60 years of competition.

The association has been struggling to find accommodation for a while, so much that the committee described the issue as “an age-old problem".

Last year, they had to use a shed in St. Peter after failing to find something closer to home. Writing shortly after the 2018 Battle, the Committee said: “We accept that without a long-term building space for the chassis, we will be unable to enter the 2019 parade.”

Pictured: St. Clement won second place last year with their 'Into the Woods' float.

Their troubles did not prevent the association from scoring second place with their 'Into the Woods' float, but the group are seeking a permanent home. 

Although it remains unclear what will happen after 1 June, the association remains hopeful. Writing to friends and supporters after the AGM, committee Chairman, Graham Gibson, said the group were delighted the association “will continue to be a strong part of parish life."

“We have overcome this issue many times previously with tenacity and sheer determination and we are confident that this will be the case once again in 2019,” he added.

The Parish say they remain committed “to finding a permanent resolution to this annual problem”, in order to be able to continue building floats on the long term.