North Show saved

Guernsey's North Show has been rescued thanks to a new sponsor. The Show takes place each year at Saumarez Park and includes the Battle of Flowers.

But bad weather over the last two years has resulted in a reduced income to the event as islanders have chosen to stay away rather than risk a soaking.

The North Show costs around £100,000 a year to stage and a couple of bad years have put the whole event in jeopardy.

Earlier in the autumn, the Northern Agricultural & Horticultural Society warned that the 2010 show might be the last unless more sponsorship was found.

The Society's President, Simon Marquis, says finances had become very weak, "As we all know we had two days of torrential rain. It did damage the funds very severely. It left us in a position where we had enough to pay the outstanding invoices for the show this year but unfortunately no sort of buffer for anything next year so we're absolutely now delighted to have the additional sponsorship on board which has allowed us to plan for the show next year."

The new sponsor is the Blue Diamond Group which runs garden centres in Guernsey and Jersey as well as in the UK. The Group has its roots in Guernsey's growing industry and its centre in Guernsey at the Friquet is within the catchment area for the North Show.

Blue Diamond will be supporting the 2011 North Show financially and through a substantial presence at the event.

While the Show is safe for next summer, organisers have warned another year of bad weather could still have serious consequences for their finances. (from CTV)