Three-year grant as Floral Guernsey seeks sponsor

The States is giving the Guernsey Floral Foundation an annual grant of £15,000 for the next three years to give it core funding to attract sponsorship and other funds.

The foundation was set up more than 30 years ago to promote the bailiwick's floral events.

The government said changes to the way grants were given to tourism-related events and increasing pressure on public finances meant "it is no longer possible" to give Floral Guernsey public funds at historic levels.

Sue Bacon, who chairs the Floral Guernsey Foundation Council, said the grant enabled it to continue its work "making horticulture accessible and inclusive, supporting the health and wellbeing of our community".

She said volunteers contributed a "staggering" 4,500 hours last year to help its work bloom.

Floral Guernsey said it was looking to collaborate with a corporate sponsor for projects including the launch of the Bailiwick in Bloom competition, as well as improving green spaces and building community connections.

Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, President of the Committee for Economic Development, said: "Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm have strong reputations as islands of flowers, and much of this is thanks to the work Floral Guernsey has carried out over many decades."

She said the charity co-ordinated parish work and entries for the RHS Britain in Bloom awards "where the bailiwick consistently punches well above its weight".

She said the committee had worked hard to find a different approach to helping the charity.

"This collaborative partnership approach is intended as bridging support, providing Floral Guernsey with the stability it needs in the short-term while the charity works to secure a sustainable future," she said.

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