Liberation Day bunting project is a real community affair

‘It’s joyous and that’s the whole idea of celebrating Liberation,’ said Liberation Day bunting project organiser Megs Bailey.

The bunting flags have the theme of ‘Make do and mend’ as islanders at the end of the Occupation had no spare fabric, making do with what they had. Some 3,500 metres of bunting, with over 12,000 flags, is being planned for town.

‘My parents were here during the Occupation, and I always remember my mum telling us how the celebrations in Town were amazing,’ said Mrs Bailey.

To try and get the community back together, Mrs Bailey brainstormed ideas to enhance the celebrations. A shared project on Liberation Day bunting has never happened before, and has been a huge effort to achieve.

‘I wondered how we could make it more of a community project,’ she said.

‘Anything that could be used for bunting was donated by very generous islanders.’

In June last year Mrs Bailey held a month-long collection for fabric, which was sorted out and cut into pieces.

‘We made bunting bags, which included the fabric, the tape, thread, template and instructions, and we sent it out to people who applied online to have a bunting bag.’

About a quarter of a ton of fabric has been saved from going into landfill, and more than 220 groups of people have become involved.

Individuals from Sark, Herm, Alderney, England and even Australia have given their time to make bunting flags for Liberation Day.

‘It’s really exploded way beyond what I imagined it to be,’ said Mrs Bailey.

The Ron Short Centre, Grow Ltd, a group of Sark ladies and Age Concern Guernsey are a few of the groups that have been involved in making flags.

The Liberation Day bunting project has taken around a year to organise and has touched many islanders, bringing back memories, friendships, creating groups and bringing communities together.

Mrs Bailey said that the best part about the project for her was the feeling of the community coming together.

Most of the bunting will be in Town and on the Bridge, with some potentially at Castle Cornet, Market Square and outside Town Church.

Islanders who took part making bunting will receive a record of what they contributed, as a small book is being put together.

‘It's just a token to say thank you because it’s been such a large commitment for so many people,’ said Mrs Bailey.

After Liberation Day the bunting will hopefully remain up for the rest of the summer season.

But once it begins to wear it will be returned to the makers.

‘It’s been saved and will be enjoyed again,’ said Mrs Bailey.

The date of when the bunting is to be officially put up will be decided by contractors from Event Hire.

• The deadline for making bunting is at the end of next month. Contributions can be dropped off at Craftwise at Oatlands or Mrs Bailey’s house.