New events, location and more fireworks for Liberation Day

The day is due to see a lot of new events for everyone, a new location and a longer firework display.

In the wake of a survey carried out by organisers EC Events, the Crown Pier will be devoted to providing activities for youngsters of all ages.

While there will be face painting, graffiti art and bouncy castles among the attractions for the younger children, teenagers will be able to expend some energy in an inflatable boxing ring or by donning sumo suits.

Elsewhere there will be ‘aquativity’ in the form of Water Peddlerz and giant inflatable balls which can be entered and ridden on water.

This attraction will be one of those on the Castle Emplacement, which for the first time will be closed off and complete a trio of piers, with the Albert and Crown, all offering something to see and do.

Old-fashioned games will be offered on the grassed area of the emplacement, including some from the 1940s.

The emplacement will also be where to find the traditional market stall holders, additional refreshments and lots of seating.

Castle Cornet itself will be offering musical entertainment from 2-5pm and will have free entry on the day.

The Petit Train will be running up and down the emplacement providing free rides between 10.30am and 4pm.

EC Events director Julie Settle said that the changes have been brought about following a survey the company carried out asking islanders what they wanted to see on 9 May.

‘One of the things that came out of the survey was that there was nowhere for people to sit, so people didn’t stay long,’ she said.

There will be additional seating on the Crown Pier to enable parents to relax while their children enjoy the activities.

Entertainment will be offered at two main locations along the Quay, and also taking part at various spots will be a comedy duo which uses a tiny tank and Wonder Women of the War, who build a wooden car.

Hip hop dancers, the Majorettes, cheerleaders and morris dancers will also be putting in appearances.

The cavalcade is set to be a special one this year, too, with the Guernsey Old Car Club celebrating its 50th birthday.

It will start at 2.15 from L’Ancresse and travel along the coast into Town, where it will set up a static display opposite the bus terminus, alongside a Naafi kitchen, sponsored by Waitrose and selling tea and cakes to raise money for charity.

In the morning the day will get off to its usual start with the relay race at 9am.

This will be followed by the traditional parade and royal salute.

Leading the marchers will be the band of the Royal Armoured Corps, making its first visit to the island, and General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, will be the visiting inspecting officer for the parade.

The band will be performing later at Castle Cornet at 2.30pm and in the Home Front Marquee on the Albert Pier at 5pm.

The marquee will also have sound from the 11am church service relayed to it.

This marquee will be the musical focal point of events, with performances from noon to 10.30pm from the likes of the Glenn Miller Sound and the Blondettes, culminating with appearances by local bands, including Sons of the Desert, in the evening.

The Randall’s Bar will be on the Albert Pier, and open from 4pm, alongside crown and anchor, a seating area and various food outlets creating a dining area.

The day will end at 9.30pm with the traditional firework display, which this year will be twice as long as usual – 10 minutes – and set to music.

n If anyone would like to get involved and be part of the celebrations in any other way they should contact Emily Masson on 240219 or email emasson@eceventsci.com.