Liberation Day

admin · 11-04-2008, 12:13 PM

This year's Liberation Day celebrations in Guernsey are to focus on environmental issues with the message "Ration, reuse, recycle." Organisers say the events of the island's past won't be forgotten with a range of entertainment planned designed to appeal to a range of age groups.

May 9th begins with Church Parade from St Julian's Pier at nine a.m. moving towards the Town Church. The Church Service will start at ten a.m. in the Town Church and the inter-denominational service will be at St Paul's Methodist Church at the same time.

The town seafront and piers will as usual be the focus of street entertainment and activities. On the Albert Pier, there will be family attractions with arts and crafts, bouncy castles and a climbing wall. The Guernsey Amateur Dancesport Association will perform and there will be Crown and Anchor here.

The Crown Pier will feature circus skills, a Guernsey market and Latin dancing. At North Beach, French Normandie markets will sell French produce and there will be a nineteen-forties historical re-enactment.

The day ends as usual with the Liberation "Last Night of the Proms" at St James followed by fireworks over the harbour at half past ten.

The Marketing Director of the Culture and Leisure Department, Peter Falla, told Channel Online:

"The importance of Liberation Day and what it meant to the residents of Guernsey in May 1945 must never be forgotten. We are very aware, however, that the entertainment and attractions now need to appeal to a wide range of age groups and we believe that what has been planned will not disappoint. It is important to remember the sacrifices the occupied Islanders made through the long five years and how each and every one of them rationed, reused and recycled wherever possible. Wednesday 9th May promises to be a true celebration of remembrance, appreciation and progression for our past and for our future days ahead."