Flags fly at Weighbridge mast for CI Pride and Merchant Navy Day

Pride organiser Ellie Jones said they have put up the flags on the week around Pride since 2018.

They aim to recognise all different aspects of gender and sexuality and include the cisgender flag.

‘It looks beautiful,’ she said.

‘It is one of my favourite things, when they are flying in the wind.

‘With a lot of people coming over this weekend, it’s a really beautiful and positive image, when people first arrive in the island.’

The Market Square steps and the nearby post box are set to be painted with rainbow colours ready for this weekend’s celebrations, and a canopy will be going up shortly in Market Square.

Also on the roundabout mast the Red Ensign was being flown. The ensigns are being flown on Guernsey Ports flag poles yesterday to mark Merchant Navy Day.

Deputy harbour master James Way said that Merchant Navy Day was an opportunity to celebrate and pay tribute to the many men and women who have served as merchant seafarers.

‘Our commercial shipping industry is responsible for around 95% of Britain’s trade, bringing food, fuel and many other supplies to our islands,’ he said.

‘As such, the Merchant Navy plays a significant, but largely unseen, role in the importation of essential goods that we rely on every day.’

To coincide with Merchant Navy Day, a short service will be held at the MV Prosperity Memorial at the Lihou Headland this Saturday at 10.30am.

One of the island’s worst naval disasters, all 18 crew members of the MV Prosperity died on the night of 16 January 1974, after the vessel was driven onto La Conchee Reef during a storm.

All are welcome to attend the memorial service.