All but two parishes put on community events
LIBERATION Day plans have been released for eight of the 10 parishes for this year’s island-wide celebrations, which will also coincide with the annual cavalcade.
All parishes were offered funding of about £2,500 from the States to host community-based events on 9 May.
Commemorative events in the morning will remain in their traditional St Peter Port locations.
But it has now been confirmed that St Sampson’s will not stage an event, and St Peter Port will hold its celebrations the previous day, Sunday 8 May.
‘Some parishes have opted for big celebrations, some for smaller ones, but either way it is the taking part that matters and I know the community will be truly grateful for the efforts of the douzaines that are taking part in marking the 77th anniversary of Liberation Day,’ said Deputy Sue Aldwell, from Education, Sport & Culture.
‘It is so very important that we celebrate on the island’s unique and special day – the actual day islanders were given their freedom back, which means so much to so many.’
In Torteval, a family lunch will take place at the parish hall, and senior constable Becky Link said a parish-focused event had been successful last year.
‘The general feeling was it was lovely to keep events within the parish so everyone of all ages is able to enjoy the day.
‘There is no pressure to have to go to Town – we can be with family and friends in our community while reflecting on those who surrendered so much in order that we have our freedom now.’
The Castel douzaine is hosting a family event opposite the loophole tower at Vazon, with stalls, bouncy castles, tractors, livestock and a tombola.
St Martin’s event is a tea party and family entertainment will from noon in the field at the Professor Shaw Community Centre, and Forest is hosting a retro festival with live music at the Mallard and Venture Inn.
A climbing wall, Outdoor Guernsey activities, local bands, and Chefan food will be available at L’Eree Common in St Peter’s, backed by sponsorship from Rocq Capital.
In Vale, a Liberation Day exhibition will be held from 6 to 9 May, concluding with a tea party, while a picnic with live music will be hosted in St Saviour’s. Tea and cake will be served alongside children’s arts and crafts activities.
Along Les Buttes in St Andrew’s, live music, chalk drawing and a bouncy castle will be available from 11am until early evening. The Last Post will host a barbecue and welcome children’s fancy dress, a teddy bears’ picnic, and other traditional games will be on offer.
. For more information, visit liberationday.gg.
Tea party the day before in St Peter Port, nothing at all in St Sampson’s
THE parishes of St Peter Port and St Sampson’s will not be holding events on Liberation Day, it has been confirmed.
However St Peter Port will be holding an afternoon tea party for pensioners at the Guernsey Hockey Club on Sunday 8 May.
Due to a lack of resources and funding, constable Zoe Lihou said the parish felt unable to hold an
event on 9 May so the States had refused to provide funding.
‘We are not eligible for the funding because we didn’t plan it for the actual day,’ she said.
‘We don’t have an event planner and felt we didn’t time to arrange something.’
Douzeniers would have other responsibilities on Liberation Day, such as the laying of wreaths, she said, so Muse director Richard Griffin agreed to host the tea party the day prior to Liberation Day, from noon until 4pm.
‘We want to host what works,’ Mrs Lihou added. ‘We would like to see as many people as possible.’
She extended thanks for the use of the athletics cage area at Footes Lane for the picnic and to Mr Griffin.
St Sampson’s decided weeks ago not to stage an event due to what the douzaine described as the ‘very short notice’ from the States.
