1940's tea dance at Weighbridge Place for Liberation Day

Tuesday 09 May 2017

Weighbridge Place is set to go back in time today as it hosts a 1940's themed vintage afternoon tea to mark the 72nd anniversary of Liberation Day.

Visitors are encouraged to attend the street party in vintage dress to "embrace the spirit of the day."

Entertainment will include live performances from the Jersey Big Band, local period trio The Optimistic Voices, Jessica Lloyd, The Word on the Street and the Jersey Hoppers. 

A small food fair will offer a selection of food with a 1940's flavour - including homemade cakes, traditional fish and chips, locally made cider and sausages and scallops. Artisanal and vintage stalls will also be set up in the area with goods from, or inspired by, the period on sale.

The stalls and street theatre will be open from 09:30 as celebrations kick off on Liberation Square with performances from La Ronde Concert Band and the Band of the Island of Jersey. The first parade will then depart at 10:15 from Vine Street with the Scouts and Guides. They will be followed by members of HMS Gleaner, the Jersey Field Squadron, parish standards, Cadet Forces, St. John Ambulance, ex-service personnel and veterans groups.

1/2 #Liberation72 celebrations will take place at Liberation Square & Weighbridge Place on 9 May 2017 #LiberationDay #jerseyci #WorldWarII pic.twitter.com/0ObvAKvc9H

— LiberationDay Jersey (@LiberationDayCI) May 5, 2017

The traditional Welcome and Address by the Bailiff, William Bailhache, will be given at 11:05 before the re-enactment which will be narrated by Gwyn Garfield-Bennett. It will include a performance of 'Beautiful Jersey' by Musical Originals Singer and their soloist Rachel Hayden.

While there were will be public seating available on Liberation Square, a big screen will be set up on Weighbdrige Place to allow all visitors to follow the events. Later in the day, archive footage, historic clips and entertainment and music from period films will be broadcast. 

After the national anthem, played by the Band of the Island of Jersey, the final parade will leave the Esplanade at 12:00. Marching contingents, bands and the motor cavalcade of Jersey Military Vehicle Club and the Jersey Old Motor Car Club will go past the dais at the Pomme d'Or onto Mulcaster Street then through Weighbridge Place and on to La Route de la Liberation. 

Looking forward to welcoming #jerseyci’s Old Motor Club & Military Vehicle Club for the parade & static display for #Liberation72 pic.twitter.com/sksrFRR5oo

— LiberationDay Jersey (@LiberationDayCI) April 22, 2017

Celebrations will then continue up until 17:30 on Weighbridge Place. The weather forecast shows better conditions than last year, which saw heavy rain and power cuts put a damper on festivities. 

There will also be a special service to remember the 101 foreign forced workers as well as the service men and women who died during the Occupation. His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, the Bailiff and the Chief Minister will be laying a wreath at the Crematorium at 15:00 during a public ceremony attended by overseas officials and families of those affected.