Thousands celebrate and reflect on 73 years of freedom

Thursday 10 May 2018

The public celebrations planned to mark Liberation Day were again enjoyed by thousands of people.

The main celebrations in St Peter Port brought families and friends together with parades, Church services, live music, children's entertainment and lots of food and goods to buy.

The formal commemorative events started at 09:00 with the sounding of the air raid siren followed by the all clear from Victoria Tower.

That was followed at 10:00 by the Liberation Church Parade which for 2018 was under the command of Tim Slann. It set off from St Julian’s Emplacement heading towards the Town Church before mustering on the North Esplanade in front of the Tourist Information Centre where it was inspected by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor and The Bailiff.

Pictured: The Liberation Church Parade being inspected 

Following the Liberation Church Parade Sir Ian Corder and Sir Richard Collas joined other invited guests and members of the public at the Liberation Church Service at the Town Church.​ There was also an outdoor congregation in the 'Home Front marquee' on the Crown Pier where the service was broadcast on two large screens for any members of the public who could not fit inside the Church. In total there was seating for approximately 500 people at either the Town Church or the marquee.

Following the parade and church service a number of members of the armed services mingled with the crowd in St Peter Port including the visiting Chelsea Pensioners and Ghurkas. 

Other people were dressed in fancy dress for the occasion with large crowds of people gathered to watch the afternoon's cavalcade.

Pictured: Crowds gathered ahead of the cavalcade

There was entertainment provided by bands in the Homefront Marquee and at Castle Cornet throughout the afternoon with more live music on the Albert Pier during the evening. 

There were long queues for refreshments as many thousands of people gathered in St Peter Port. 

Pictured: Queues for the dinky doughnut stall on the Crown Pier

By 22:00 most people had left town, following the fireworks display which started promptly at 21:30. The live music continued until 23:00 with City Limits rounding off the entertainment for the day.