Five of Guernsey’s parishes will host individual events celebrating the 80th anniversary of the island’s Liberation.
St Peter Port and St Pierre du Bois are hosting events on Friday 9 May, with events in St Martin’s, the Vale, and St Andrew’s taking place on Saturday 10 May.
A celebratory service will be held in Torteval on Sunday 11 May.
Deputy Sue Aldwell, Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, is pleased so many have got involved, with others also joining in the cavalcade.
“Over the years, the parish events have proved to be incredibly popular with islanders, and this year is set to be no exception,” she said.
“The States of Guernsey is delighted to once again be financially supporting parish celebrations, as part of the island-wide festivities for this important anniversary year. All the parishes have been hard at work creating floats for this year’s Cavalcade, which is set to be one of the biggest ever held, or are hosting a range of events to mark the occasion.”
St Peter Port
Market Square will host a day of family-friendly activity, complementing the official Liberation Day events taking place in the seafront on Liberation day itself.
Children will be able to create replica evacuee ID cards, enjoy crafts, bouncy castles, circus performers and bubble shows.
The Liberation Day Talent Show will allow school children to showcase their talents.
There will also be live performances in Guernésiais from Festiva, and La Guaine du Vouest.
People will be able to enjoy a show at Cambridge Park with Gandeys Circus back in the island from 9 to 12 May.
St Pierre du Bois
The celebrations will start with the People’s Service of Thanksgiving at L’Eree at 10:00 on 9 May, followed by a 1940’s singalong, the Biberach Youth Orchestra and a People’s
Parade.
Throughout the day, the beach and common will host a variety of entertainment
including a heritage zone with screened occupation material, live streaming from St Peter
Port’s key events and organised family fun on the beach.
Those at L’Eree can also enjoy watching a flypast of multiple aircraft and will be treated to a thrilling spectacle of the Falcons Parachute Display Team at 15:30.
St Martin’s
On Saturday 10 May, St Martin’s will host an afternoon of family entertainment at The Queen’s Hotel.
Activities will include live music, a free hog roast and children’s meals, face painting, magic shows and bubble displays.
St Andrew’s
The Last Post is hosting St Andrew’s popular Liberation Day celebration on 10 May from 11:30.
Those going will enjoy live music, bouncy castles, a hog roast, a barbeque, Crown and Anchor and an outdoor bar.
Organisers confirmed that people can reserve tables in the restaurant, however The Last Post will not be serving food in the public bar.
Vale
The Vale will host an afternoon tea for their parishioners.
Due to limited numbers this event is invitation only, for 100 people.
Torteval
Liberation celebrations will conclude on Sunday 11 May in Torteval, when the Anglican and Methodist Churches will hold a celebration service at 11:00 in Torteval Church.
Afternoon refreshments will be served in the church from 14:00 – 17:00.
The Church will also host an exhibition of war time accounts from those who remained on the island for the five years of German Occupation and from evacuees.
All of the parish events are free to attend and are expected to be busy say organisers.
For more information, see HERE