The Floral Guernsey Foundation was defunded by the Tourism Management Board last year, when it used to receive more than £40,000 in grants from the States.
From this year, it has been allocated just £15,000 a year for three years by the Committee for Economic Development, adjusted each year with inflation.
‘We had £15,000 this year so we’re just trying to fill the gap. Ideally we’d probably need £40,000 to run properly if we actually want to get involved in community projects. If we have twice as much, we’d be able to do twice as much,’ said Caroline Allisette, of the Floral Guernsey Foundation.
‘We’re trying to look at different ways of funding ourselves because we haven’t had to think about it for 30 years.’
The foundation said it was ‘extremely grateful' that the reduced level of funding had been secured and given some stability for the next three years, but it was not enough on its own to sustain everything that it did or allow it to continue developing projects that benefit the whole community.
Now that this year’s Bailiwick in Bloom has ended, it is inviting everyone to look around the island and appreciate what its volunteers have achieved, and to consider what it would be like without their efforts.
‘What many people may not realise is the Floral Guernsey Foundation, the Bailiwick affiliate of the Royal Horticultural Society, has quietly supported this work for more than three decades,’ said Mrs Allisette.
‘We have encouraged community participation, promoted environmental enhancement, supported education, celebrated volunteers and helped showcase the very best of our islands.
‘Our role has never simply been about flowers. It has always been about creating places where people feel proud to live, work and visit.’
Floral Guernsey is run by volunteers and most parishes have their own volunteer flower groups, with members ranging from a handful to more than 20.
‘Floral Guernsey has always been powered by volunteers, generosity and a shared pride in our islands. We are now asking our business community to become part of that story,’ said Mrs Allisette. ‘Whether through major partnership or a more modest annual contribution, every business can help ensure that Floral Guernsey continues to flourish for generations to come. In return, we will be pleased to recognise and promote those organisations that choose to invest in the future of our Bailiwick.’
Businesses interested in becoming Floral Guernsey partners should email info@floralguernsey.co.uk
Floral judges discover hidden depths of St Saviour’s
JUDGES learned about more than just flowers on their tour of St Saviour’s.
Floral Guernsey judges toured the parish as part of last week's judging, taking in the Sunday club at St Saviour’s Church, learning about famous graves, and understanding more about seaweed at La Catioroc.
‘We had a great time with the judges,’ said Liz Pirouet-Douglas of Floral St Saviour’s. ‘We started at Bruce Russell’s and they met him and had a chat and Julia Henney spoke about why we shouldn’t always plant wildflowers.’
The judges were told about the folklore of Guernsey, the role of community service in the outdoor areas at the community centre, and how the island manages its water from Guernsey Water.
‘We worked really hard at St Apolline’s Chapel based on the feedback from the judges last year,’ said Mrs Pirouet-Douglas.
‘When we arrived this year, Rae [Beckwith, one of the judges] said: “Wow I can see you’ve worked hard here”.’
She added that over the past few weeks it had been difficult trying to keep up with the heatwave, and some water was used from one of a boreholes of one of the parish’s volunteers.
There are perennials in areas around the parish, but the volunteer group may have to look at more drought-resistant plants if weather trends seen this summer continues.
All of the groups who took part this year will find out the results in September and who will represent the Bailiwick in the UK next year.
Mrs Pirouet-Douglas wished Alderney luck in its judging for Britain in Bloom next month, where the island is representing the Bailiwick.