THIS year’s Channel Highland Games have been cancelled due to a lack of funding. But president and organiser Stuart Hardie promised the event would be back in 2005 and held annually thereafter.

‘About five weeks ago it became clear that our efforts to get the necessary funding were going backwards,’ he said.

‘We had people coming from Scotland, France, the United States, Ireland and England and given that commitment, we could not afford to gamble on whether the event would go ahead.’

It was set to take place in Saumarez Park on Saturday. Mr Hardie said that more than £30,000 was needed to put it on.

The Games were first held in 2002, when more than 5,000 people gathered in the park. It was intended that the event would alternate yearly between Guernsey and Jersey but after last year’s event in the sister island, Mr Hardie said momentum had been lost. While all future Games would be held in Guernsey, Jersey entrants would still participate and the Channel Highland Games would keep its original title.

‘It’s very much a Channel Island event, even though it will take place in Guernsey,’ said Mr Hardie.

The standard of competition is world class, he said, and past competitors have included the world caber-tossing champion and two former holders of the Scottish hammer-throwing world record.

‘From a tourism point of view, these add-ons are so important to Guernsey,’ said Mr Hardie.

News that the Games would be held in Guernsey only from 2005 had already generated greater interest from potential sponsors, he said.

‘We have decided that from next year, we will not be entirely dependent on sponsorship.’

On 6 April next year a Tartan Ball will be held to help raise funds for the event. The United States is introducing a public holiday on the same day, called Tartan Day.

This is to signify the Scots’ signing, on 6 April 1340, of the Declaration of Arbroath on which the American Declaration of Independence was based. Mr Hardie hoped the ball could raise £5,000.

A family-style party – a ceilidh – featuring recitations and song and dance will take place at Beau Sejour on Friday 9 September 2005 to generate additional funds.

Mr Hardie said he wanted the Games to become an established annual event on the Guernsey calendar.

‘We know that this will underpin existing and attract new sponsors,’ he said. ‘Unfortunately, the lack of time and necessary funding meant that we could not proceed with this year’s event.’

Potential sponsors are invited to call Mr Hardie on 723823.