Tickets available for Liberation events

Saturday 12 January 2019

Specsavers is planning its annual Liberation Day celebrations with two Hangar Balls accompanying the tea party for those who lived through the Second World War.

The free afternoon event is for anyone who lived in Guernsey through the Occupation, were evacuated, deported or saw active service. They can apply for tickets now by filling out an application form which is available from Specsavers’ support office at La Villiaze, by calling 233667 or emailing events@specsavers.com.

The tea dance will take place after Liberation Day this year, on Friday 10 May at Beau Sejour.

Between 13:30 and 16:00 guests will be enterartined by the popular Ashby Big Band, making a return visit to the island, along with 40s singing and dancing entertainers.

A traditional Guernsey afternoon tea, sponsored by local stores, will be served with Specsavers staff, including founder Dame Mary Perkins, there to ensure the day goes off well.

"The tea dance is always very popular and we’re excited that it’s the time of the year again to start making plans for the event," said Dame Mary. "The dancing and the music are my favourite part of the day and guests will be able to dance and sing along to all the old favourites."

Pictured: The Ashby Big Band will entertain guests at the Liberation Tea Dance and Hangar Ball again this year. 

Dame Mary said the event acknowledges the suffering of islanders during the war years and that there is always a high demand for places at the free afternoon. 

"Demand for tickets is always very high and Beau Sejour can only accommodate a certain number of people for health and safety reasons. If you didn’t live through the Occupation, serve in the forces or were not evacuated from the island, remember that you may be denying someone else a place by applying."

The afternoon event will be followed by a Hangar Ball on the Friday evening, plus a second identical event on the Saturday evening, due to continuing high demand for the popular themed dinner and dances.

The same line up of entertainers will be there, and a hot meal will be served based on 'war time rations'.

Tickets are being sold through Ticket Source, to make the process as fair as possible and they will go on sale at midday on Wednesday 30 January at £45 each. 

Everyone is encouraged to go to either of the events in 40’s clothes, military uniform or traditional Guernsey dress to add a sense of nostalgia to the day. 

Pictured top: The Specsavers Tea Party and Hangar Balls are hugely popular events.