BATTLE OF FLOWERS organisers have defended the cost of admission to the event. Northern Agricultural and Horticultural Society president Nick Dorey said the cost of getting into similar events in the UK would almost certainly be a lot more.

‘We don’t put the show on to make a profit and if we break even or make a small amount of money to go into the reserve, we are pleased,’ he said.

‘If you went to see a show like this in the UK it would probably cost you at least £12 to get in and you would pay more to park the car, too. It costs more for us to put the show on as well as we have to bring people over.’

Admission for adults on Battle day, Thursday, was £7 and £4 for children and OAPs. Entry on Wednesday was £4 for adults and £2.50 for children and OAPs. Car parking on both days cost £1.50.

Mr Dorey estimated the cost of putting on this year’s show at £80,000-£90,000. Revenue from admissions will cover only between a quarter and one third of that figure and the rest must be found elsewhere.

The Long Port Group sponsored this year’s Battle and De Putron Fund Management did likewise for the entertainment.

One man contacted the Guernsey Press to say the entry cost had been exorbitant, but Mr Dorey said it was realistic and kept as low as possible. ‘I think people would be better to come and speak to us and talk about it first. They might then be less likely to complain,’ said Mr Dorey.

A blown fuse caused a power failure to some parts of the showground, including the catering area, for nearly two hours on Thursday lunchtime before engineers from Guernsey Electricity could fix it.

The clear-up operation was under way in Saumarez Park yesterday.

A caretaker at Les Beaucamps Secondary School, Mr Dorey has been involved with the show since 1983 but this was his first year as president.

He said he thought it had gone well. Full financial details will not be available for some time, but some drivers spoke of a 20-minute wait at the Home Farm car park.

‘I think we had more floats this year and the quality was up, too.

‘A lot of work goes into putting this on, not only for the organisers, but for those who enter.’

Planning for next year’s event will begin next month.