‘It’s wonderful to come here and celebrate Liberation Day’

Clothing from the 1940s was donned by islanders who lived through the Occupation, were evacuated or served in the armed forces, and were lucky enough to get a ticket.

This year the event was held in Beau Sejour’s David Ferguson Hall, split over yesterday and today to accommodate all guests who would usually fit in the Sir John Loveridge Hall.

That area is being used for Covid vaccinations.

Many were keen to come back after last year’s events were cancelled and be immersed in memories, while live bands played wartime classics.

‘I love hearing all the new stories that guests tell,’ said Dame Mary Perkins, Specsavers’ co-founder.

‘I tell them they must write them down. For some, who may live in care homes, this is a chance to see some familiar faces that they haven’t seen in a while. It’s nice to be able to gather all together again this year, there are not many places that can do this at the moment.’

Ken and Pam Warwick are tea dance veterans, having attended for nigh on a decade.

‘Ken was evacuated, so he looks forward to coming and seeing all his friends – they go back years,’ Mrs Warwick said.

Appreciating being able to get together, Mr Warwick added: ‘We always enjoy this sort of thing. It’s something we lived through, and every year we go through after the war it’s so good to say that we’re still here, we’re still safe and free.’

Ronald and Kathleen Bishop were excited to mark the island’s freedom with a nice meal and a day out.

Aged five, Mr Bishop was evacuated to the north of England and on his return after the war did not recognise his family.

On Liberation Day they are out for Sunday lunch before going to Candie Gardens now the bands are back on, Mrs Bishop said.

Having stayed during the Occupation, Pam Preece was wearing her Liberation medal.

‘At school they gave them to us a few years later,’ she said.

‘I’m always worried about losing it, but it’s no good having it there in a box. I have my husband’s, too, and will pass them down to our family – it’s lovely, it’s something to remember.

‘I look forward to the tea dance every year.’

Attending for the third year, Gunner Queripel said, ‘It’s a wonderful thing to come here and celebrate Liberation Day, and see people we haven’t seen for a year or two.

‘Obviously we have to thank Specsavers and Mary for everything – I think she’s an inspiration. I’m thankful to be here and hope that this continues for our children and grandchildren.’

Sat with Bill John Cuthbertson, David Allen was appropriately dressed in a Union Jack suit.

‘I got this for the hangar ball two years ago, but kept it for this.

‘I prefer rock and roll or jive, they’ll play that a bit later on so I’ll be dancing in a bit, although you wouldn’t want to hear me sing.’

Due to size restrictions of the David Ferguson Hall, while the vaccination centre operates, this year’s hangar ball events were cancelled.