Jersey "Battle of Flowers" 2010

Due to the volume of activity and photo's the Jersey Trip has been split into three sections The Full Jersey Week Weds - Weds Main Battle Parade 12th Aug 2010 - The Day Parade Moonlight Parade 13th Aug 2010 - The Night Parade DAY ONE - Wednesday Finally the day is upon us and the coach awaits the Chesterfield members at the ‘Hollingwood’ ready for departure on this years Jersey ‘Battle of Flowers’ venture. The actual project started some 17 hours earlier with collection of our hired transport with driver Malcom arriving at the pub and the commencement of loading the vast array of Instruments, Suit Cases, Personal Baggage, Bedding and the multitude of boxes and freezer bags of food to feed the 37 members travelling over to the Island for the week of activity. Surprisingly everything was stashed with relevant ease here but now the same must be achieved at the Eastwood end before the job was complete and with our professional packers escorting the vehicle to Plumtre Way the end product was in site, and job satisfaction as the final items were hauled on board, Then unbelievably the unexpected happened, someone decided to open the side door to add a little vanity case, causing mayhem didn’t it Kevin..... the result was all the large cases ballooned out taking 6 pairs of arms and legs to hold the cases and close the door. Now Malcom and son Chris were able to make it home to prepare for their 230 mile run down to Weymouth Harbour early Wednesday morning in time to catch the 1:00 ferry crossing to Jersey. Having picked up the rest of the members and arrived at East Midlands Airport on time, the news was texted to our party that our Transit was nearing its destination in Dorset and with the BMI Baby jet on time the 5th visit to participate in this prestigious event was well and truly moving. Just under a hour later the 35 passengers set foot on Jersey, but not without a very sudden jolt onto the tarmac which didn’t go down to well with the passengers aboard especially the first time flyers, before we were acquainted with the parade organiser and our coach transport to our accommodation at the St Lawrence Community Centre once again. This time with the transit still enroute the usual set-up procedure could not be implemented until its expected arrival at about 5pm so the best option was for our party to catch the local bus down into St Helier town centre for a stroll around until the equipment and food arrived. However about half an hour into the crossing Chris on board the vessel text us the bad news that due to a medical emergency the boat was returning to Weymouth to make an unexpected delay to the journey and arrival with the bedding and evening meal ingredients. About one and half hours later than expected the van was applauded into the car park and eager hands soon offloaded its contents into the centre and very soon the evening meal was in the making, meanwhile the airbeds were blown up and prepared ready for a good nights sleep, although Tom who had opted to camp outdoors was having serious problems erecting a one man tent on the forecourt even with two other assistants helping must have taken them about a hour. However success was acclaimed just as the meal was served and with everybody tucking into chef Marks creation the band was looking forward to the start of the main ‘Battle’ tomorrow afternoon. For the record Due to his enthusiasm Liam was hired as an assistant for Kitchen Duty.
DAY TWO Main Battle Parade As the melancholy rumbling of nasal breathing decapitates, the smell of full English breakfasts fills the air, let the ‘Battle’ day commence the ‘Musketeers Showband’ is up and ready for it. Mark’s scrumptious full English Breakfasts have been described in our previous years visits, bacon, egg, sausage, beans, tomatoes, hash browns, fried bread and mushrooms followed by toast and steaming hot mugs of coffee or tea to help wash the lot down. Breakfast over and pots washed the members were free to indulge in their own activities around the centre with computer, play station and others along with the outdoor ball games on the field, a suggestion from some members that we take twenty minutes out walking through the new additional street dance routines was taken up and with everyone happy it was agreed it was time well spent. With the coach scheduled to pick-up our party from the sports centre at 1:00pm prompt the members changed into half uniform ready for its arrival and with the transit van containing the rest of our uniforms and instruments we were all prepared for our coach driver to draw into the car park to take us down to Layby 5, our preparation area and packed lunch pick-up point. The packed lunches were distributed as swiftly as the Breakfast meals with a selection of Chicken Tikka, Tuna, Cheese & Ham, Chicken Mayo being handed out, swapped and exchanged until everyone was eagerly munching on Sandwiches, Chocolate, Fruit and unlimited amounts of water. Once the meals were finished, the floats started to arrive and begin their dances and programs for judging. At 2:15pm precisely the band lined up for the short march down to Layby 4 in readiness for our position at the head of the parade on the town side of the dual carriageway and leading down past the large stands and the VIP area towards the West Park end water station, before the return parade after refreshing drinks up the beach side passing the other well filled stand areas on-route to completion of the ‘Battle’ day route for this year. Our familiar dance routines etc were thoroughly appreciated by the well lined pavements, besides the overflowing stands with a constant stream of applause along the way. Just as we dismissed ready for the short walk back to our waiting coach to change out of uniform and return to St Lawrence Sports and Community centre, an official delegate from the parade demanded we had a photo session with this years Mr Battle - Coronation Streets Danny Young. This will go in Muskies Scrap Book along with previous years photo's including; Jodie Marsh, Andy Abraham, Kieran Brackett, Christopher Biggins and Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter. Happy with our contribution to the day we returned to the centre to take advantage of the facilities available using our usual rota system and a change of attire for our visit to the local pub for some traditional pub grub. However this procedure was interrupted sufficiently for our party to line – up in front of the television set to watch the special ‘Battle of Flowers’ programme from the local BBC network featuring the colourful floats bands and troupes from the afternoons programme. After a filling meal at the ‘British Union’ pub everybody made the short walk back to the centre for a few drinks and games before retiring for the night and our big day on Friday in the more colourful and noisy illuminated ‘Moonlight Battle’ in the evening. Update in the Kitchen, Liam was Promoted to chief Bottlewasher, then subsequently FIRED.
Day Three - Friday - The "Moonlight" Parade Following the now familiar start to the day’s activities several tasks required to be done in preparation for the evenings ‘Moonlight’ Parade, including the fitting of the lights to all instruments, drums and hats, a job that required the ladies touch. Afterwards the instruments were all loaded into the van along with the tabards and hats. Now the free-time was available to be enjoyed by the members as they chilled out in the bright sunshine. The general synopsis was to laze about around the centre. Some opted to take the bus down to St Helier town shopping, some visited the cinema and others after browsing the shopping area decided to walk the length of the beach before sitting on the sands for a snack. The call time for the prepared set meal was five-thirty and with everyone sitting down to another creation by Mark, before the need to adorn our half uniform dress in readiness for the coach sent to collect our party at 7:00 and transport us down to Lay-by 5 our allotted drop off point again prior to the march down to the Parade starting line. Suddenly with a big knock on the doors in walked Private Callum Corbett 301067 straight from his Army passing out parade, back in England specially to participate in the Moonlight Parade. After rising at 5:30am to practice his manoeuvres and presentation ceremony then proudly marching before the Armies top elite Generals before packing his bags and hoping on a plane bound for Jersey. The scheduled time for departure was 9:00 pm at Tower 1 and already the large anticipated evening crowd was growing larger by the minute. It was noticeable however, that as the sun went down that the evening would be thankfully cooler for the marching and playing. With time in hand we decided some pre- entertainment was necessary to enhance the crowds expectation, so the band elected to play a few tunes in the gathering dusk with the lights switched on and the drumsticks flashing , showing these to very good effect. With the boom out at sea sounding the ‘Moonlight’ Parade was on the move, the ‘Musketeers’ were away. Immediately the mood was picked by the crowd as they clapped and shouted along to the music as the band continued their routines down the route for the second time towards West Park and it was soon noticeable that there was an expansion to the watching crowd along the way. Once at West Park the members opted to make a quick water break before lining up to commence the return march back to Tower 1 and the end of the ‘Battle’. Throughout the parade the captivated audience continually clapped and shouted as they waved their illuminated glow sticks and flashing accessories and on passing the members were inundated with requests for ‘High Fives’ which tickled the members as they marched past, however as we neared the last few yards the battle firework show commenced over the sea signalling another successful climax to the event. Before dismissal Drum Major Mark conveyed a message given to him whilst marching up to the finishing line from the Battle Co-ordinator that throughout his 38 years of officiating at the event, each year the ‘Musketeers’ get better and better, more organised and more entertaining, he will highly recommend that the band will be asked to participate in the 2011 ‘Battle’. Within one hour of arriving back at the resort an E Mail was received from someone sat in “C” Section praising the Band and it’s performance. This is now on our Official Guestbook and Facebook Wall for everyone to see. Further comments have suggested that after the fitting and test drive of the Main Battle VIP Float that Sara and Mark have been proposed and Short Listed for Mr and Mrs Battle 2011. A sneak exclusive comment from their agents has confirmed both say they are available!!!! In the Kitchen Area, Liam was reinstated but sadly failed to arrive on time and Sacked again. In defence he claimed his bed was deflated and caused his body clock to lose it’s time keeping.
Day Four - Saturday After clearing the breakfast pots it was a consensus of opinion that the males were banished from the complex for the afternoon whilst the girls unveiled their surprise for the evening’s night out. Some of the banned males took the advantage of it being Saturday, the opening game of the Premiership. ‘Spurs’ were lucky enough to open the season on Sky Sports. So heading off to the “Ups & Down Bar’ the Spurs fans in our group were surprisingly met by a sea of Man City fans surrounding the TV lounge. Despite Spurs having the upper hand (probably a biased opinion) the scores remained level at half-time, as the landlord brought out several plates of Scotch Pies. After refilling their pots again and nibbling at a pie or two, in anticipation of a better second half, to bring the required result. Later back at the centre after a lengthy preparation period it became time for the ladies evening dress revealing, and after much preening and posturing the outfits were paraded around the centre for all to see. Perhaps for the writers own safety – stunning – will have to suffice, we’ll let the photos speak for themselves, the Girls were ready to hit the town BUT, was Jersey ready for this we ask as the girls were finally prepared to hail a taxi and hit the town but not before flaunting ALL their assets (undies) to all and sundry on the roadside in anticipation of securing a cheaper lift into town.
As the guy’s had left an hour earlier to start the frivolities this left the more caring and responsive senior adults in charge of the minors, (for the benefit of any reading parents back home) watching Harry Potter DVDs in the centre. Everyone in town had mentioned that the Royal Yacht Club was the place to be. After the lads had arrived they suddenly realised that the islands definition of “Place To Be” was not the same as they meant and with two Taxi’s full of excitable girls in Fancy Dress, they quickly drank their overpriced beers and left the Outdoored tabled area through onto the forecourt past the local millionaires and dignitaries eating the smoked salmon and champagne. They huddled across the road in the entrance to another pub hoping to intercept the girls’ arrival. Thankfully the girls arrived in full dress and were swept straight into the next pub that was glad to welcome the party of 15 into the “Ridders” Bar. After 15 minutes, 2 rounds of beer and a round of Apple Sour Shots, the night had begun in full typical Musketeer fashion. Kitchen Update – Liam was banished from the Kitchen due to persistent poor time keeping. His reason was that his early morning “Wake Up” call did not work. ( 2 Kicks of his bed and a tug of the quilt.
Day Five A slightly later breakfast than normal this Sunday morning, as the party the night before had a major effect on some members sleeping practices, but once up normal service resumed and everyone ate their preferred choice of breakfast and pots washed and dried. With a disappointing morning’s weather predicted, the majority decision for the main activity today was the swimming pool with Aqua Flumes, Wave Machines etc. to keep the party happy for a considerable time until the expected warmer sunny weather prevailed later in the day. On the menu for our 5:30 meal was a full Sunday Roast, with Beef and Yorkshire Puddings and all the trimmings… yummy yummy !!!!!! As the full Sunday Roast was served the noise of excitement was replaced with the clinking of knives and forks as the meal was soon eaten and pots cleared…. It’s now either Karaoke Time at the Sports Centre or a visit to the Fair in St Helier. As the party of members arrived back at the centre the Karaoke was in full swing with Mark (Glo) and Alison blasting out numerous hits. Slowly one by one the singers faded and eventually around 2am the lights were turned off and the snoring commenced. Kitchen Update – After a Tribunal, Liam was reinstated in the Kitchen but sadly overlaid and missed the start time and nearly missed breakfast, claiming a phantom Shaving Foam incident caused his sleeping pattern to be disturbed.
Day Five A slightly later breakfast than normal this Sunday morning, as the party the night before had a major effect on some members sleeping practices, but once up normal service resumed and everyone ate their preferred choice of breakfast and pots washed and dried. With a disappointing morning’s weather predicted, the majority decision for the main activity today was the swimming pool with Aqua Flumes, Wave Machines etc. to keep the party happy for a considerable time until the expected warmer sunny weather prevailed later in the day. On the menu for our 5:30 meal was a full Sunday Roast, with Beef and Yorkshire Puddings and all the trimmings… yummy yummy !!!!!! As the full Sunday Roast was served the noise of excitement was replaced with the clinking of knives and forks as the meal was soon eaten and pots cleared…. It’s now either Karaoke Time at the Sports Centre or a visit to the Fair in St Helier. As the party of members arrived back at the centre the Karaoke was in full swing with Mark (Glo) and Alison blasting out numerous hits. Slowly one by one the singers faded and eventually around 2am the lights were turned off and the snoring commenced. Kitchen Update – After a Tribunal, Liam was reinstated in the Kitchen but sadly overlaid and missed the start time and nearly missed breakfast, claiming a phantom Shaving Foam incident caused his sleeping pattern to be disturbed.

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All comments written are purely an opinion of the event by members involved. These are not by any means intended as derogatory or defamatory in anyway to the organisors or the people involved.