Kyran Bracken
As the winner of TV skating show Dancing on Ice earlier this year, Kyran Bracken is without a doubt the biggest Channel Island star of the moment. Kyran moved to Jersey at the age of 12 and loves everything about the Island which he calls his home. His family all still live in Jersey and Kyran himself is currently in the process of building a home in St Mary. Married to Victoria, Kyran has two young children, Charlie (3) and Jack (1).
His favourite place in the Island is Corbière and he said he loves the fact that Jersey is surrounded by beaches. Kyran attended a number of Battles when he was younger and said he thought the floats were amazing.
The champion of the ice made his name playing rugby and during his career he won 51 England caps, captained the national team on three occasions and was a member of the World Cup winning 2003 squad.
Kyran will be the first Mr Battle for ten years and said it is something he is really looking forward to.
'I'm a Jerseyman and I think the Battle is a great event,' he said. 'I'm really looking forward to coming back home for it, it will be a fantastic couple of days.'
Battle 2007 is going to be very special indeed and the BBC in Jersey is proud to be so closely associated with such a momentous event. Not only will our own Roger Bara be part of the Arena Commentary Team, alongside the equally legendary Ed "Stewpot" Stewart, but there'll be the fullest and most comprehensive pre-Battle coverage ever. Through BBC Jersey you'll see and hear all the preparations - the float-builders as they work to get it all ready for the great day; the people at the heart of Battle, both the stars of the show and those behind the scenes, and, if you're not lucky enough to get a ticket for the best Battle ever, we'll bring you a special programme on BBC Radio Jersey, live from the Arena; plus all the pictures on BBC1's Spotlight Channel Islands and page after page of news, previews and photo-galleries on the BBC Jersey website. And, in the Arena itself, watch out for a couple of special surprises brought to Battle 2007 exclusively through the BBC.
This year there will be two commentators instead of one, who will be Roger Bara and Ed Stewart.
Ed "Stewpot" Stewart's radio and TV career goes back 46 years to 1961 when he started with Radio Hong Kong. 4 years later, he joined the pirate ship Radio London (Big L), and was one of the original DJ'S when the BBC introduced Radio 1 in September 1967,almost exactly 40 years ago! After 12 years on Junior Choice and later televisions "Cracker-Jack" Ed has been a favourite with audiences ever since. We welcome him to Jersey this weekend.
Roger Bara is a Jersey institution. Even before joining the BBC and becoming, probably the best-known and best-loved broadcaster at BBC Radio Jersey, he was eminent in the world of local music and cabaret. The Roger Bara Band performed for several seasons at Caesar's Palace, Greve de Lecq, and achieved legendary status. Even before setting foot in Jersey, Roger was a well-known professional keyboard player and Musical Director, working most notably with Bonnie Tyler.
Musician, Broadcaster, Arsenal fanatic and one of the nicest and most self-effacing people you'll ever meet - Roger Bara is truly "legendary".| Friends of Battle | Sponsors |
|---|---|
| ABN AMRO Bank NV | Jersey Tourism |
| Jersey Hospitality Association Ltd | XMILE |
| Lockton Channel Islands | Jersey Hospitality Association Ltd |
| Hettich Jewellers Ltd | Billy Searle Funfairs |
| J.P. Morgan Chase & Co | |
| Le Riches Group Ltd | |
| Longueville Manor Hotel | |
| Lysaght & Co | |
| Ogier | |
| Sunset Nurseries | |
| The Bank of India |
The directors of Xmile, the eco friendly fuel, and the Airport Car Centre were very proud to be the main sponsors at the 2007 Battle of Flowers. They decided to support it because they felt that the nature of the event is in keeping with their eco friendly fuel and they are totally committed to improving our environment.
Jonathan Harrison, Managing Director of Xmile said:
“The Battle of Flowers is a fantastic exhibition of the beauty of nature at work and is famous even in parts of Europe as a magical festival of art. It is a big part of Jersey's heritage and we hope that our sponsorship will go some way in making this year’s event one of the best ever with more of a carnival atmosphere.
These days we must all be more aware of our responsibility to become more environmentally friendly and we hope that by supporting the Battle of Flowers we can raise public awareness that there is an opportunity now to buy a real eco friendly fuel that works. Xmile petrol and diesel reduces exhaust carbon emissions by up to 50% and at the same time gives more fuel economy. There is no cleaner fuel available in the world.”
Xmile is sold exclusively at the Airport Car Centre Petrol Station, Airport Road, St Brelade, Jersey and Peterborough Garage, St Aubin, Jersey. Xmile is a cleaner petrol and diesel, suitable for all vehicles and is currently available for the price of ordinary unleaded.
Andy Priaulx (former European and current treble world touring car champion) was guest of honour for Xmile in the 2007 Battle of Flowers. He is arguably the most adaptable and successful driver in the sport today and undeniably the UK’s most successful racing driver and the country’s only motor racing World Champion.
Xmile Directors, Mr Battle, Miss Junior & Miss Battle, Andy Priaulx.
Go Greener! Go Further! Go 
The Clean Fuel Phenomenon
Click if you wish to know more about XMILE ECO FRIENDLY FUELS.
What a great party it was! Back in 1902, the people of Jersey set out to celebrate the Coronation of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and they wanted to make it different. So, someone somewhere hit upon the idea of a "Battle of Flowers" but little did they realise when the words were first uttered that over 100 years later the event would be World famous and have passed its Centenary.
With the exception of the duration of the two World Wars, the Island has regularly gone "into Battle", and the event has become a community focal point as well as the high point of the summer season. Back in the '60s, the event was attracting huge audiences and most Battle observers agree that the largest crowd was probably the 60,000 which saw the spectacle in 1969. Smaller numbers - around 30,000 people - watch the event these days, safe in the saying that "it never rains on Battle Day" - fingers crossed!
This century of Battles has also reflected the changes and developments that have occurred in western society. The first motor vehicles joined the parade in 1906, but horse-drawn floats were popular right up until the 1970s. Gone also is the real "Battle" where the crowd were invited to rip up the exhibits and pelt their friends with flowers.
No matter what happens in the future - who knows, solar powered exhibits might be just around the corner - the Battle of Flowers will remain a cornerstone of Island life. Thousands of people plan their summers around the event: growing flowers, building exhibits and then working double, triple shifts and often longer to ensure the exhibit is fully decorated in time for you - the audience - on this special day.
We are always looking for Stewards to help organize and control the Grand Day Parade and Moonlight Parade. Payment in cash and kind is offered and should you be in a position to help please contact:
The Jersey Battle of Flowers Association
Telephone 01534 730178
battle@battleofflowers.com