Shorter motorised cavalcade deemed a success by drivers
MORE than 100 vehicles paraded around the island covered in Guernsey and union flags, waving to islanders as they went.
The annual cavalcade took a shorter route this year, starting from Torteval and travelling around the north of the island to Town.
Despite drizzly weather and just one motorbike breakdown, which was quickly fixed, the cavalcade was deemed a success by drivers and passengers.
‘It all well really well, it was an enjoyable run round the coast and we were quite surprised to see so many people out and about,’ said Laura Dyer, events secretary of the Guernsey Military Vehicle Group
‘There were lots of people around the whole coast, cheering and waving as we went past, everywhere was pretty equal with the amount of people.’
About 50 military vehicles were involved, including Roy De Jersey riding a James 125cc Military Lightweight.
He said that he preferred the route, and the parade did not stop at Pembroke this year.
‘The rain really wasn’t bad around the coast, but tackling the fog at the top of the island was the hardest,’ he said.
Karen Dyke, riding in her aunt and uncle’s vehicle, said that the weather was wet at times early on the trip, but nothing too bad.
‘L’Eree seemed to be really popular, a lot of people were there watching,’ she said.
She said that the shortened route had actually turned out to be better, as last year many of the older vehicles had to join in at a later stage to make it into Town.
Pensioner Carolyn Taylor was watching the cavalcade at the beginning near Torteval Church with a friend.
‘I enjoy seeing the cavalcade and all the effort they put into it. The weather has not put us off. We have just brought coats and umbrellas,’ she said.
‘Torteval is a small parish and by coming up here on Liberation Day you see friends.’
There were gatherings of spectators at a number of points on the route, not just parish parties, especially where the whole cavalcade would slow to take a bend. A few family picnics were hosted in coastal gardens, with a large one at Rocque Balan in the Vale.
Participants said the cavalcade was well marshalled by police and civil protection volunteers.
