They will be hoping yesterday’s divided annual general meeting will allow them to draw a line under weeks of infighting sparked by the proposition.Last month, Battle Association chairman Tony Perkins announced he would not stand for re-election as a protest against former chairman Mr Gollop being offered the honorary position.
He argued that his predecessor had left the association in dire financial straits and that his tenure was characterised by internal disputes.At the time he told the JEP: ‘I had to pick up the mess that had been left and try to move the Battle of Flowers forward.
I feel hurt that my vice-chairman and another council member made this proposal and did not discuss it with me before doing so.’Speaking this morning, he said that despite members’ action last night, he would still not be seeking re-election at a special meeting to be held in St Peter’s Parish Hall in 14 days.’I will definitely not be standing,’ he said.Executive officer for the association Terry Avery said that it was an accepted tradition that former chairmen were given the title of honorary vice-president.
He added that one person had so far indicated an intention to stand for the vacant post of chairman, but refused to say who that was or whether that person was already a member of the organisation.
