THERE’S a Spruce at the top as Floral Guernsey enters the festival season. Tony Spruce has taken over from John Burley as chairman and is looking forward to an eventful few months. He begins his new role feeling upbeat.
‘Over the years, Floral Guernsey has grown from a single two-and-a-half-day summer show into a programme of festivals,’ he said. ‘Just this year we have gone from two to three weeks of festivals as well as summer parish and community competitions and dozens of activities throughout the year.
‘There are 23 fantastic events over the coming week and I would urge everyone to take advantage of these wonderful opportunities.’
The first of Mr Spruce’s events as head of the organisation will be the spring Floral Guernsey festival week, which begins tomorrow.
He did not think the reduced States grant would hinder the success of the events. ‘Of course it is bound to have an effect, because more funding means more possibilities,’ he said.
‘But we have hundreds of volunteers and so can accomplish a lot.’
Mr Spruce said Floral Guernsey was important for the island because it helped to bring people together.
‘And Floral Guernsey is great for tourism. We do what we can to enhance and sell the island.’
Mr Spruce’s business career spanned 42 years with Guernsey Gas and International Energy Group, where he was group director. He remains active as a non-executive director, a council member of the National Trust and the Rotary Club of Guernsey and he is a debt counsellor for the Citizens Advice Bureau.
‘We are really grateful to John Burley for his hard work as chairman,’ said Culture and Leisure marketing director Peter Falla.
‘Now that he has decided to step down, we are very pleased that Tony is coming on board. The future looks really exciting.’
* The first festival runs until Sunday 22 April. Contacts and programme details are available at www.floralguernsey.gg and in a free leaflet available from the Visitor Information Centre.
Article posted on 13th April, 2007 - 12.00am
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