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As we wait to hear if we will have a four day Coronation and Liberation Day Bank Holiday weekend next year, work is already underway to find out what people really want to do to mark Guernsey's 'national day'.
Tuesday 9 May 2023 will mark 78 years since the Bailiwick was freed from Nazi Occupation.
Guernsey, Herm, and Jersey were liberated on 9 May 1945, while Sark was liberated the day after. Alderney effectively wasn't liberated in the same way as the other islands with celebrations instead focused on Homecoming Day in December instead, to commemorate the date when people who had been evacuated first returned home.
Pictured: Chris George captured the atmosphere on Liberation Day in this image.
The 78th Liberation Day will come just three days after King Charles III is crowned.
His coronation ceremony is scheduled to be held on Saturday 6 May. The UK government has approved a bank holiday for Monday 8 May to mark the occasion.
That will be in addition to the May Day Bank Holiday the previous week, on Monday 1 May.
Guernsey already has the May Day Bank Holiday and a bank holiday to mark Liberation Day on Tuesday 9 May in the calendar. Express asked if the 8 May will also be a bank holiday in Guernsey and we're told we have to wait and see.
The Committee for Economic Development is responsible for authorising bank holidays. A spokesperson said:
“The Committee for Economic Development will shortly be considering whether to propose to the States of Deliberation that Monday 8th May 2023 should be designated as a public holiday in Guernsey, Herm & Jethou and the Committee will make an announcement as soon as possible.”
Pictured: The 2022 island wide cavalcade.
For 2022, the organisation for the Liberation Day celebrations was devolved to the parishes.
Each was given a budget to arrange their own festivities with an island wide cavalcade touring each parish during the afternoon.
As each parish organised individual events, or events between two neighbouring parishes, there was not a focal attraction in St Peter Port, which some people found disappointing.
Ahead of 2023, and future years' events, the team behind organising the island's Liberation Day commemorations and celebrations have launched a survey to gauge public demand for island-wide or parish events.
They've said they want to use the feedback to "inform preparations that are already underway for 2023, and for future years".
The feedback will also ensure there are events to meet as wide a range of interests as possible.
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