The States’ organising committee has announced that planning for a more low- key event was now under way for May, with several elements of the 80th anniversary celebrations set to return, ‘albeit on a smaller scale’.
But parishes appear to be turning their backs on the day.
‘Liberation Day 2025 was our biggest event yet, commemorating an amazing milestone in which we remembered 80 years since Guernsey was liberated,’ said Helen Glencross, head of Culture & Heritage Services.
‘While the footprint will be smaller in 2026 as it isn’t a landmark year, such as the 80th, we remain committed to ensuring the day retains its significance. The commemorative aspect is as important as the celebrations, and we will continue to share the voices and stories of the wartime generation.’
Vale constable Richard Leale said yesterday that there had been a recent meeting between organisers and parish representatives.
‘Aside from St Andrew’s and St Peter Port the constables were unanimous that there would be just those events as there wasn’t the funding available,’ he said.
‘From a Vale perspective, we have done our tea party for the last few years but we feel that has now run its course.’
St Andrew’s has run events at the Last Post for the past few years. Constable Greg Robert said he could not confirm if the parish would go ahead with any event in 2026 as nothing had been agreed.
This would leave St Peter Port, which is likely to hold events in conjunction with the States, as the only parish participating.
For the past few years the biggest celebration outside town has been at L’Eree on the west coast, which was visited by Princess Anne during this May’s celebrations.
St Peter’s constable Tim Langmead confirmed there would be no event in 2026 and could not guarantee it would return in 2027.
‘There will be nothing next year due to a number of factors,’ he said. ‘Anne Thomas has stepped down from leading our organising committee and the commons committee has asked for the area to be given a year off as it needs a rest.
Whether we revisit it after that we will discuss next year.’
May’s celebrations in St Peter Port will see the family zone return to the Crown Pier alongside the tea tent, which will move from the Town Terminus.
The food village, local stallholders and music stage will all appear on Albert Pier.
A cavalcade is expected to return, although no route has yet been published, as well as hampers of local produce, for older members of the community.
About 20,000 people are estimated to have joined in the celebrations in Town for the 80th anniversary of the island’s liberation which provided a boost for the island’s international profile.
Official social media channels amassed more than 385,000 views, with posts between 5 and 12 May reaching an estimated 733,000 people.
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