Parishes float cavalcade ideas

Now some are looking for volunteers to help build the floats for 9 May.

Torteval and St Peter’s are set to miss out due to a shortage of helpers but are trying to find an alternative solution.

Torteval senior constable Becky Link said the parish wanted to do a float, but finding people who were prepared to organise and run such a project had been a ‘big issue’.

‘We’re a small parish, and all of the douzeniers work full-time,’ she said.

‘It would be a real shame if we weren’t able to do one, if someone could knock one up that would be much appreciated. They don’t have to necessarily live in Torteval.’

St Peter’s senior constable Tim Langmead said, because of the parish’s plans to host its own Liberation event at L’Eree, volunteers had been prioritised for that rather than building a float.

‘We already have a lot of people helping with that, we didn’t have anyone else who could do a float.’

Other parishes have also expressed their concerns over volunteer shortages, but did confirm they would be putting floats together.

An allowance of £1,500 is provided to parishes by the States to help with the cost.

St Martin’s senior constable Dave Beausire said planning for his parish’s float was in the final stages, adding the intention was to collaborate with the parish school.

St Andrew’s Liberation Day committee member Peter Amory said a trailer for his parish’s float was sorted, and a team of builders had been found.

However, he said the parish was still looking for volunteers to decorate the float.

In St Saviour’s, senior constable Paul Connolly said the parish was hoping to make a float, with planning in the early stages.

‘We’re doing enquiries but we’re having difficulty with volunteers,’ he added.

A Vale official confirmed the parish was doing a float, while in Forest, senior constable Wayne Bertrand said someone had offered to lead the parish’s float design and build following a meeting at the end of last year.

‘We’re very grateful to them,’ he said.

In St Peter Port, senior constable Diane Mitchell said the parish was still looking at the feasibility of doing a float, but hoped to be able to make one.

Castel douzenier Brian Aplin said the parish was working to develop a float which celebrated the use of the Castel coast and beaches, including a mix of sand racing, surfing and other water sports.

In St Sampson’s, douzenier Kim Abbots, who is leading the parish’s Liberation Day preparations, said the planned float would include straw and hay bales, and would be decorated with bunting and flags.

‘We just need to get the truck we are using repaired, we are hoping it will be repaired in time.’

‘If anyone has a spare just in case then please do get in touch.’

She added residents from Rodley Park and children from Hautes Capelles School would be among those riding on it on the day.