Paul Bourgaize is a long-time member of the cavalcade committee since 2010, driving its decision to involve military vehicles.
He said it was an honour to take over the role from Jeff Vidamour, who has stepped down after more than two decades leading the committee.
‘Jeff was the boss, and I was just representing the military vehicle side of things,’ said Mr Bourgaize.
‘It’s a step up the ladder, but I don’t feel like much has changed.’
Mr Bourgaize wears many voluntary hats, and co-founded Festung Guernsey in 2005. The volunteer group helps to restore and preserve Guernsey’s Second World War bunkers. It also conducts several different tours of the island and has recently taken over the lease for the German Underground Hospital.
‘I’ve been rooting around, getting involved in the island’s World War Two history since I was about 14,’ he said.
‘It was at school and a group of us were interested in looking at bunkers and things. My grandparents spoke about the Occupation and my interest just grew from there.’
Mr Bourgaize participated in the 1985 cavalcade, driving an MV, and said he was ‘the crazy guy’ riding the three-track motorcycle in last year’s cavalcade.
Despite working and volunteering on various projects, he is not expecting his new role as director to take up too much more of his time – though he said it was a relief that the event would be on ‘a much smaller scale’ compared to last year’s 80th celebrations.
‘We’ve got a few new visiting military vehicle owners wanting to come over,’ he said.
‘There’s probably going to be about half a dozen, and that’s off the back of the success of last year. Everybody says that was the best one, and I’d agree.
‘But I’m really looking forward to this year, it’s always a great day out. For me, it’s about seeing the reception from the public – that’s what we do it for – and the camaraderie.
‘We have a nice set-up in the morning – a cup of coffee, bacon roll and a chin-wag. It’s a really nice way to start the day off.’
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