Annual church service held virtually
PRAYERS and songs of worship were not lost to the Covid-19 pandemic as the usual Liberation Day church service was streamed online for islanders to view from the safety of isolation at home.
A Union flag was walked from the doors of the Town Church to the balcony overlooking the church to the sound of a solo violin performed by Max Wong.
Then, a video montage played of the Guernsey Music Centre, Youth Choir, Guernsey Girls' Choir and the Town Church Choir performing the National Anthem.
Images from the liberation 75 years ago were shown, including the front page announcement of 'Peace and Liberation' on the Guernsey Evening Press.
Rector of St Peter Port the Reverend Matthew Barrett welcomed islanders and explained how the service would be different to previous years.
'Nevertheless, and however different today’s commemoration is to what so many have planned, we are recalling that remarkable and glorious day when the British troops came ashore in St Peter Port, very close to where I am standing, bringing an end to the five long years of occupation of Guernsey and giving hope of an end to the hardship which the people of Guernsey had suffered.'
The Bailiff Sir Richard Collas then read from Genesis a passage where God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.'
His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder read from Corinthians that 'Love never ends'.
In his address to islanders, the Dean of Guernsey Tim Barker spoke about the efforts of islanders to put out bunting and flags to celebrate this significant day, even if it is far from what we had planned or expected.
'The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied during the war, which means that the war was experienced here in ways that many outside the islands can scarcely begin to understand.
'As we look back and as we give thanks for the liberation of Guernsey in May 1945, we look forward to our liberation from the crisis we are facing, with the love we share with each other in the days ahead.
'We will never walk alone.'
Prayers and hymns continued throughout the 50-minute service.
Read more in Monday's Guernsey Press.
Watch back on the Liberation Day Facebook page and website, liberationday.gg, the States of Guernsey Facebook Page, the Visit Guernsey Facebook page and visit visitguernsey.com
