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Despite near-constant clamour from some people for a funfair to return to Guernsey for the annual Liberation Day celebrations, organisers of the 80th anniversary events have not included one in their plans.
Deputy Sue Aldwell who is leading on the planning for Education, Sport, and Culture said this week that she is following in the footsteps of a political predecessor who said "never again".
That was Deputy Mike O'Hara, a former Culture and Leisure Minister who oversaw Liberation Day plans as part of his remit during his time in the States.
After 12 people were arrested during the 2006 visit of Monty Hammond's Funfair - amid 25 across Liberation Day events in town that year - the then-deputy said "enough is enough".
Deputy Aldwell says she and the Liberation Day 80 Oversight Board are sticking to that decision.
"The committee have been aware (of demand for a funfair)...and the reason is the trouble that we had over the years. There were some terrible instances. I know at one stage there were 25 arrests and Mike O'Hara at the time said 'never again'.
"Having spoken with the police, they said it was just a battle ground.
"We want our day to be calm and for everyone to have a lovely family day. We don't want any trouble. There will be lots of things, including the vintage fair, and lots of other things for all age groups to enjoy but actually it's all about freedom and not lawlessness.
"It (A funfair) attracts problems and it has attracted problems in the past, and we don't want it for this year."
Pictured: A past Liberation Day cavalcade (Chris George)
Deputy Aldwell is expecting up to 30,000 people to visit town on 9 May 2025 - and she says there will be plenty to focus their thoughts during the morning, and to entertain them during the afternoon and evening.
These events will include the traditional parade and church service during the morning - seen as the formal commemorative events marking the anniversary of the end of the island's Occupation by German forces.
The school relay races and the Guernsey Athletics 7 mile road race will also take place during the morning, with entertainment on North Beach and the Victoria and Albert piers starting late morning and continuing throughout the afternoon and evening. Events will also be held at Castle Cornet.
The entertainment programme will include the cavalcade, a vintage fair on the Crown Pier, an open-air concert with visiting and local performers on North Beach, a food fayre and charity zone, visiting military and veteran groups, a fireworks display and much more to be announced over the coming months.
Plans revealed for Liberation Day '25
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