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Plans are underway for Liberation Day events in eight parishes across the island.
A States’ grant has been made available to each of the 10 parishes, after the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture announced island-wide celebrations would take the place of events in town.
St Andrew Parish Constable, Martin Thwaite, said his parish has been hosting an out-of-town event for the last decade.
“We are very much looking forward to Liberation Day this year and we have a tried and tested formula of hosting a country celebration for people who previously did not want to go into town,” he said.
“Our event is always very well attended; we try to have something for everyone and make it a fun day out for the family.”
Pictured: The cavalcade will go through every parish again this year.
St Andrew’s family fun day will be found along Les Buttes from 11:00 and will include live music, chalk drawing and a bouncy castle. There will also be events at the Last Post including a BBQ, crown and anchor, a teddy bears’ picnic and children’s fancy dress.
St Saviour will also be hosting a family fun day and picnic with live music from Bordeaux Blue. Tea and cake will be served up alongside children’s arts and crafts activities.
The Vale douzaine has invited the residents of Gardenia Lodge Residential Home and La Nouvelle Maritaine to a tea party.
Pictured: St Andrew parish will host a teddy bear picnic as part of the celebrations.
Douzaine Secretarial Assistant Denise Breton said she hoped for sunshine for the event.
“The cavalcade will be coming right past the douzaine, so hopefully it will be good weather people can sit outside on the grass and watch it,” she said.
“We wanted to host an event for the elderly and vulnerable members of the community to make sure they are involved. We have ordered flags for decoration and will be serving Guernsey gache as part of the tea party.”
The Vale douzaine will also be hosting a Liberation Day exhibition from 6 to 9 May.
In St Pierre du Bois a marquis on L’Eree Common, sponsored by Rocq Capital, will host local bands including Buffalo Huddleston and Space Pirates of Rocquaine. Outdoor Guernsey will have activities including a climbing wall. Food will be available from Chefan.
Pictured: The Castel Douzaine will be holding events near the Loophole Tower at Vazon.
The island-wide cavalcade will pass through Torteval around midday and will coincide with a family lunch at the parish hall.
Torteval Senior Constable, Becky Link, commented: "Our parish event was enjoyed by all who attended last year and the general feeling was it was lovely to keep events within the parish so everyone of all ages is able to enjoy the day.
“There is no pressure to have to go to town, we can be with family and friends in our community whilst reflecting on those who surrendered so much in order that we have our freedom now."
The Castel Douzaine is hosting a family event opposite the Loophole Tower at Vazon including stalls, bouncy castles, tractors, livestock and a tombola.
Forest will be hosting a Retro Festival with live music from ‘The Three Sixties’ at the Mallard and Venture Inn. Activities are also planned for St Martin’s Community Centre Field with a family fun day, a tea party and entertainment from 12:00.
Pictured: There will be tea parties in St Martins and the Vale.
Deputy Sue Aldwell, Committee for Education, Sport & Culture said parishes were invited to host events of their choosing.
“It is so very important that we celebrate on the island's unique and special day, the actual day Islanders were given their freedom back, which means so much to so many,” she said.
“The parish events also tie-in with the island-wide cavalcade, giving parishioners the chance to celebrate within their community. Some parishes have opted for big celebrations, some for smaller ones but either way it is the taking part that matters and I know the community will be truly grateful for the efforts of the douzaine’s that are taking part in marking the 77th Anniversary of Liberation Day.”
The commemorative events which take place during the morning of Liberation will remain in their traditional St Peter Port locations.
More information about the parish events, the Royal visit, the island-wide cavalcade, fireworks, church service and Castle Cornet’s Liberation Music at the Castle can be found HERE.
Liberation Day events will not return to the Town seafront
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