Time too tight for Liberation Day events, say parishes

With less than a month to go until the 76th anniversary of the islands’ freedom from German Occupation during the Second World War, the only parochial events known to be on are in the Forest, St Peter’s, Torteval and St Andrew’s.

It will be the second year running the day has been affected by the pandemic, with last year’s 75th anniversary commemoration taking place via online live broadcasts.

Both the Liberation Day organising committee and Education, Sport & Culture advised that celebrations this year would be spread around the island to limit the number of people gathering in Town, given the potential pandemic risks.

However, many parishes have said they do not have enough time to organise specific events.

Only Torteval douzaine has confirmed a lunch in the parish hall following its usual church service.

‘The notice was just much too late for the parishes to organise events,’ said St Andrew’s constable Martin Thwaite.

‘It’s all a bit last minute and that’s not enough time for us to get something ready.

‘Perhaps the parish will end up doing something later in the year. Who knows?’

A Castel douzaine spokesman said it was difficult because it knew only recently that events were being encouraged to take place across the island, but large gatherings were still being discouraged.

Parishes still to confirm whether they will have anything going ahead are St Sampson’s, St Martin’s and St Saviour’s.

They said while it seems unlikely, it will be discussed at douzaine meetings.

Crowds of up to 10,000 would normally be expected along the Town seafront, but this year the parish has said it has nothing planned, except for the usual Town Church service.

Dean of Guernsey the Very Rev. Tim Barker said services would be smaller than usual.

‘Liberation Day is a very important part of Guernsey’s life and I’m delighted that although there will be some restrictions, the service will take place as usual in the Town Church and that St Andrew’s and other parishes are planning celebrations and commemorations,’ he said.

Public Health requires a risk assessment to be completed for gatherings of more than 100 people and this is affecting the decision to hold events.

The Last Post in St Andrew’s and the Venture Inn in the Forest each have plans and potentially need to have security on the door to ensure they stick to the rules.

‘We’re still in the process of seeing what we need and what’s allowed,’ said Last Post manager Tomas Gudelis.

‘It’s a big celebration and not to be missed, so we really want to be involved and have some music, a barbecue, a static motorbike display and a bouncy castle, then see the cavalcade go past between 2 and 3pm.’

La Houguette School is due to have an as yet unconfirmed event on 7 May.

The Liberation Day organising committee has encouraged islanders to watch the cavalcade, featuring military vehicles and the old car club, as it goes around the island for the first time, before holding their own party with family and friends.

A live stream of the Town Church Liberation Day morning service will be available on the Liberation Day Facebook page and website.

The wreath laying at the war memorial and the unveiling of a 75th anniversary monument will also be able to be seen.

Fireworks will, as usual, signal the end of the day’s celebrations. Launched from the traditional location at Castle Cornet, these will also be live streamed.

The social media campaign, Decorate to Liberate, which ran last year encouraging people to put up bunting and other decorations on their homes, is running again.