New Miss Battle calls for an increase in float funding

Monday 07 April 2014

Holly Perchard has been crowned Miss Battle of Flowers 2014.

The twenty-four year old accountant was crowned on Saturday night at the Radisson Hotel, in front of more than a hundred people. She was one of 14 contestants who entered the 'open-heat' final. Event compères, BBC Radio Jersey's Sara Palmer, and ITV Channel TV's Gary Burgess, chatted to each of the girls, before the judging panel selected their final five: Hannah Le Masurier, Katie Eaton, Lucinda Cole, Kayleigh Larkin and Holly Perchard.

The judging panel was made up of Chamber of Commerce President, James Filleul, along with two former Miss Battles: Victoria Keen (2005) and Anna-Marie Breeze (1988). 

Each girl then came back on stage for a short interview with one of the comperes, before the judges retired to make their final decision. The result was announced just after 11.30 pm.

Miss Perchard is the treasurer of the Jersey Young Farmers' Club, and lists her interests as travelling, cooking, cricket, socialising and spending time with her family. 

She told the audience that she would like to see funding for the Battle floats increased, on the basis that the Young Farmers aren't planning to enter a float in the parade, due to a lack of money. 

Holly Perchard will be the 61st Miss Battle, and takes over from Taye Le Monnier. She was actually crowned by the 2009 Miss Battle, Lucy O'Sullivan, who has since represented Great Britain in Archery. 

The competition was slightly different this year in that the minimum entry age was lowered to 17, and it was an 'open heat' in that entrants could come forward even if they weren't linked to a particular parish. 

This year's parade takes place on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th of August.