Community events step up with no Town celebration

PACKED parish events saw hundreds of islanders celebrating Liberation.

Bolt and Geoghegan on the stage outside the Last Post.(Picture by Adrian Miller, 29529266)

Many people stayed close to home and went to community events.

The Last Post was one of the main hubs, with live music and a barbecue.

David and Sara Barker live just 50 yards from the pub.

‘I was quite surprised there was not a bigger event in Town, but I understand the reasons,’ Mr Barker said.

‘And this is great and a nice family event.’

Graham and Katie Elliot with their dogs Winter, left, and Cookie at the Last Post. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 29529277)

Graham, 54, and Katie Elliott, 49, moved from Essex to Guernsey in March this year, so this was their first Liberation Day.

‘I love how everyone has come out for it,’ Mr Elliott said.

People were in their front gardens to see the cavalcade pass, including Margaret Sarre, 76, in St Andrew’s. She was joined by her best friend, Sheila Hasson, and her daughter, Gillian Jehan.

‘It is nice they are coming up here,’ she said. ‘But it is a pity they do not stop.’

Another popular gathering point was around Castel Church and Fairfield, where families enjoyed picnics.

Family picnic at the Fairfield waiting for the cavalcade. Left to right: Aurelie Renouf, 13, Antony Renouf, Xav Renouf ,10, Milly Dowding 13, Charlie Dowding, 7, Oscar Dowding, 11 and Sam Dowding. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 29529359)

Among them were the Dowding and Renouf families. It was friends Aurelie Renouf, 13, and Milly Dowding, 13, who thought a picnic was the best way to mark the day.

‘I am glad we had a picnic,’ said Aurelie. ‘It’s nice to spend time with the family.’

Forest was also a hive of activity, with bouncy castles and live music.

Constable David Barrow said it was arranged by the Guernsey Revival charity in conjunction with the Mallard and Le Rondin.

‘It’s been a big job but it’s been a fun one,’ he said.

‘If this is successful it could well be a blueprint for future parish events.’

Venture landlord Quinn Hamon said the event came together very quickly in four weeks.

‘As soon as they said they were not doing something in Town we started planning,’ he said.

‘All our neighbours are on board, thankfully, and we’ve got an amazing set up.’

Torteval put on a lunch, with 30 guests

Constable Becky Link said it was all about the community.

Carolyn Taylor, second left, brought her Liberation medal given to her after the war, with church warden Sue Brooks, second right, at the Torteval parish hall lunch. (Picture by Emily Hubert, 29528641)

A tea party was held at St Saviour’s Rectory.

Church warden Charlotte Carr said they had set up chairs by the road to watch the cavalcade.

‘It has been lovely with lots of the community keen to get out and join together,’ she said.

‘We’re doing this for the Indian Covid relief fund, because we thought we are so fortunate and want to help where we can.’

Former Bailiff Sir de Vic Carey suggested holding the tea party.

‘The congregation responded magnificently and we’ve had a good response from the community,’ he said.