Select a region
Covid-19 has placed the emphasis on community-led events this year, as islanders celebrate and commemorate the 76th anniversary of our Liberation.
A number of events have been organised for islanders to mark the 76th anniversary of our liberation from the German Occupation. Here is a lowdown of some of the events being held around the island on Sunday:
08.59 - Sounding of the siren
The morning of Sunday 9 May will begin with the siren sounded from Victoria Tower at 8:59, in remembrance of those who fought in the Second World War. This will be followed by a two-minute silence before the sounding of the 'all clear' siren.
10.45 - Wreath laying
11.00 - Church service
12.45 - Monument unveiling
The Bailiff will lay a commemorative wreath at the War Memorial at 10:45.
The traditional Church Service at the Town Church will take place alongside services across the Island's churches to mark the day at 11:00. The Service will be live-streamed and available for the public to watch through the Liberation Day Facebook page and website. Click here to download the order of service.
At 12:45, a new Liberation monument - which was commissioned to mark the 75th anniversary of Liberation in 2020 - will be unveiled by former Bailiff Sir Richard Collas outside the Visitor Information Centre. This can be viewed online later in the day for anyone who misses it.
Friends and families are being encouraged to watch the island-wide cavalcade and then hold their own parties within their own communities.
The social media campaign, Decorate to Liberate, is also running again. It proved a hit last year, with people putting up bunting and other decorations on their homes to show their Guernsey pride again this year. Share your photos at #DecoratetoLiberate.
14:00 to 16:00 - Liberation Day Island-Wide Cavalcade
The much-loved cavalcade featuring military vehicles and the old car club will take an alternative route this year around the island visiting each parish - click here for a map of the route and confirmation of the roads and landmarks it will take in.
“We encourage everyone to come out and watch from a spot on the route, wave flags and take pictures," said Deputy Sue Aldwell of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture. "The cavalcade may even go past your house so you can enjoy the display from the comfort of your own home."
"Keep an eye out for a variety of vehicles including a Dodge ambulance, a Daimler Dingo armoured car, and a Dodge weapons carrier.”
21.15 - Fireworks
The traditional fireworks always signal the end of the day’s celebrations and will be launched from their usual location at Castle Cornet as well as being live-streamed for everyone to enjoy.
07:00 - The traditional Guernsey Velo Club Liberation Day Road Race will place around the L’Eree circuit.
09:00 - The historic Guernsey Schools Relay Race will be back again at the Memorial Field with races for boys and girls.
09:00 to 18:00 - Liberation fun at Grandes Rocques: Grande Rocques Kiosk and Guernsey Mind are hosting a day of entertainment on the beach.
10:00 - The traditional Athletics Club Liberation Day Run is a seven-mile run that starts at Rousse and travels around Bordeaux and The Bridge to finish at North Beach.
10:00 - Hoisting of the flag service at the Cobo slipway.
10:00 to 16:00 - Day of family fun in Market Square. Games, activities, market stalls and arts and crafts.
10.30 - Celebration and thanksgiving service at the St Sampson’s parish church at followed by an afternoon tea party in the community hall from 14:30-16:30, including live music.
11:00 - Torteval Church will hold a service followed by lunch in the parish hall.
11:30 - Celebrations organised by Guernsey Revival, the Venture Inn and the Mallard, including dancing, children’s games and live music.
12:00 - Live music and family fun at The Last Post. Rue des Buttes will be closed to traffic to provide space for family activities along with a barbecue and acoustic music stage. The Vale Earth Fair will be hosting a series of bands throughout the afternoon and early evening in the pub’s rear car park and beer garden.
14:00 to 16:00 - Liberation tea party in the St Saviour’s Rectory.
Email Express at editor@bailiwickexpress.com with details of your event if you would like it added to our page.
Certain events will be live-streamed via the Liberation Day social media pages over the course of the day. These are:
09.05 - Message from the Bailiff following the sounding of the siren
11.00 - Church service broadcast from the Town Church
14.10 - Liberation Day Island Cavalcade broadcast live from L'Eree
20.00 - Unveiling of the new Liberation monument, recorded earlier in the day
21.15 - Fireworks broadcast from Castle Cornet
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.