Single service on Liberation Day 'disappointing'

I, like many others, have been disappointed by this news as this service permitted both evacuees and those who experienced the Occupation to meet together and give thanks. Suitable churches were chosen for the service and the Salvation Army Band accompanied the singing. Some 250 people supported the event.

A spokesman for Culture and Leisure explained that because nobody was available to take on the planning of this service, the usual Town Church would hold the official service and more room would be available in the parish church, with a marquee sited in Market Square to which the service would be relayed. Parking facilities for invalid parking would be permitted on one side of Fountain Street, with other additional parking near the church along the quay.

For those now elderly people who still wish to give thanks for Liberation, and have supported the inter-denominational service for many years, its scrapping has come as a shock. It may be that in a few years' time it will be appropriate to just hold the Town Church for the thanksgiving and praise, but it is regrettable that it has come so quickly and with little warning.

I gather that if any person or organisation wished to organise a service next year, in addition to the official one, no objections would be forthcoming.

HERBERT WINTERFLOOD,

26, La Chaumiere,

Castel.

Editor's footnote: A spokesperson from Culture and Leisure replies:

This year's Liberation Church Service is offering more members of the public, both residents and visitors, the option to take part and either sit inside the Town Church or outside in the covered marquee in Market Square. Together, there will be nearly 500 seats available for members of the public who wish to be part of this very special Liberation Church Service.

The context of this year's Liberation Church Service continues the success of last year's Outdoor Liberation Church Service that was held at Footes Lane. Last year's service, in one single venue, embraced all communities, faiths and denominations across the island thereby casting aside any feeling of perceived divisiveness, which has prevailed in past years, between the Liberation Church Service in the Town Church and the Interdenominational Service held elsewhere.

Liberation Day is a day to remember and celebrate with island pride. This year marks the 71st anniversary of the momentous happenings on 9 May 1945 and Guernsey is honoured to be welcoming to this year's Liberation Day the new Lieutenant-Governor Vice Admiral Ian Corder and his wife Mrs Corder and the new Dean of Guernsey the Very Rev. Tim Barker. His Excellency, Mrs Corder, the Bailiff Sir Richard Collas and the Dean will spend some time before the service commences in the Town Church meeting those members of the congregation seated in the marquee.

Liberation Day should embrace everyone irrespective of age, faith or denomination. We are lucky to have a double venue, in the heart of St Peter Port, for this year's Liberation Church Service that will have some 800 people attending in totality. Furthermore, the Liberation Church Service will also be broadcast through the public address system along the seafront allowing all spectators to listen and be part of the service.