Companies rise to water wheel challenge

Photo shows left to right; Danny Lloyd, Dan Hamon, Jim Hamon and Matt Rowe.

The water ceremony is an integral part of every Island Games. Akin to the lighting of the Olympic flame, competing islands bring a container of water from their own island to combine together as a symbol of what unites island communities.

For Guernsey 2023 the challenge was set to design an appropriate water feature for the mixing of the waters to help continue the tradition.

‘I first started talking to James Gavey from JGA architects about a few ideas,’ said Amanda Hibbs, Communications & Events Director for Guernsey 2023.

‘Back in 2019, we ran a medal design competition and the winning design by Chloe Sarre was selected. We decided that our water feature would be based on that medal design.’

Amanda said that as soon as the need for a water feature was mentioned, a group of local craftspeople came forward to offer their services to create something truly special for the home Games.

The result is a beautiful, solar powered water wheel, that took pride of place in the Opening Ceremony and has been stationed at Footes Lane throughout games week.

‘On behalf of the organising committee I would like to say a massive thank you to all those involved in the creation of our amazing water feature,’ said Amanda. ‘It has been a fantastic collaboration project between several local companies and just shows what fantastic team work can achieve.’

Thanks go to:

·      JGA architects

·      Danny Lloyd from DW Lloyd

·      Dan Hamon from Hamon Fabrications

·      Matt Rowe from Paint Evolution

·      Dave Dowding from Dowding Signs

·      Island Electrics

·      Little Green Energy