Eighty years after islanders interred in a German town were freed, the friendship between Guernsey and Biberach has been formalised.

More than 1,000 people from across the Channel Islands were deported during the Occupation – for various reasons, including if a parent in a family unit was not locally born.

Many of the people deported from Guernsey and Sark were interred in a Nazi camp in the German town until the end of the war.

Now, a ‘Framework of Friendship’ has been agreed between the town and the island, and on the 80th anniversary of Guernsey’s Liberation Day it was signed by dignitaries from both places.

Pictured (l-r): Deputy Lyndon Trott, Norbert Zeidler; Biberach’s Mayor, and Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq signing the ‘Framework of Friendship’.

Biberach’s Mayor, Norbert Zeidler has been in Guernsey for the ‘Liberation 80’ anniversary.

He joined Deputies Lyndon Trott and Jonathan Le Tocq at Candie Museum on Friday 9 May, with each man signing the document.

Pictured (l-r): Deputy Lyndon Trott, Norbert Zeidler; Biberach’s Mayor, and Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq after the ‘Framework of Friendship’ was signed.

The friendship framework is intended to lead to more cultural and educational exchanges between Guernsey and Biberach, with support for collaborative projects between the two places.

The agreement also sees Guernsey reaffirm its commitment to the international principles of peace, human rights, and reconciliation.

The agreement will be reviewed within three years so it can be tweaked where necessary for the benefit of both the island and the town.