Liberation celebrated in a rather different way

Town was quieter than usual, as many events were put on across the parishes in a bid to spread people out and reduce the public health risk.

But unlike last year, when events were held virtually, this year they were live and attendance was welcomed.

Nearly 100 vehicles wound their way through all 10 parishes for the cavalcade, waved on by Guernsey and Union Jack flags.

Big crowds gathered in popular points like the Last Post, the Bridge and St Martin’s village.

Among those in the parade was 83-year-old Geoff Domaille, from the Guernsey Old Car Club. He was driving his blue 1953 MG TD.

His wife, Terri, and son Stephen were in a cream 1970 Morris, while their grandchildren swapped between the cars.

Mr Domaille has been taking part in cavalcades for more than a decade and was very pleased to see it back this year.

He was in Guernsey during the war and was seven when the island was liberated.

‘It means a great deal to me, taking part,’ he said.

‘It helps all the young people to not forget this important part of Guernsey’s history.’

Cars lined the east coast to find a viewing point, but The Quay was kept open to traffic throughout the day and the cavalcade missed out the seafront, instead going up St Julian’s Avenue.

Cavalcade timings proved overly optimistic though. It fell behind schedule quickly, having left Torteval Church at 2pm, and eventually arrived at the Longfrie more than an hour late at 5pm, by which time the weather had turned damp.

‘Unfortunately the timing went a bit awry, but we all enjoyed ourselves and we saw a lot of people,’ said cavalcade director Jeff Vidamour.

‘We were very pleased with the turnout.’

The morning parade by the court officials saw several dozen people watching, but was quieter than in previous years.

While there were no events on in Town, people were still heading to the restaurants and pubs.

Thomas de la Rue pub assistant general manager Karl Jein said lots of tables were booked for lunch.

‘Lots of people said they would be coming in or were doing parish events in the day then coming in this evening,’ he said.

‘It has been a weird year for everybody so it’s hard to say how it would compare to previous years. We’ve had good trade even without tourists, so I think we’ll be all right.’

La Nautique restaurant manager Simone Donazzan said they were nearly fully booked, despite there not being much going on in Town.

‘The only thing is the fireworks at 9.15pm,’ she said. ‘Hopefully by July we will reopen the borders, and we’ll have a good summer.’

A Guernsey flag was flying in New Palace Yard in the House of Commons to mark Liberation Day in London. This is the first time this has happened.