More Liberation Day Events In St Peter Port

Two Liberation Day staples return to St Peter Port on May 9th following calls from islanders to make Town the focus of events again.

Last year the States funded several smaller events across every parish in the island, but St Peter Port and St Sampson's didn't hold any official events. They said they didn't have enough money, due to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The parish-based events began during the pandemic and the head of Education, Sport and Culture, deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, hoped it would become the norm.

However, she faced a backlash on the decision by islanders on social media last spring:

"Liberation should be in Town, come on States bring it back to where it belongs, Town."

"I definitely agree, as that’s where the people were liberated, not scattered in different parishes."

"Liberation day 1945 everyone went into town to see the allied forces landing to liberate them . My 11 year old dad and his brother went into town from St Saviours as did anyone who was able. Liberation day should be centred in town. With parishes doing something if they want to . Or is this the slow creep of diluting liberation day to nothing then eventually getting rid of it for good once the generations that remember it have gone ."

"The states should hang their heads in shame for spoiling our special day."

This Liberation Day, the cavalcade of military vehicles will go around the island before they stop in St Peter Port for two hours to enable people to check them out in detail.

The route for the cars taking part has been changed from previous years due to their reliability.

The vintage vehicles had to navigate tight turns and steep hills in 2022, which saw a number of them break down and drop out of the display.

It means that the route in May will be mostly coastal, so they won't pass through St Martin's, St Saviour's or St Andrew's.

Deputy Dudley Owen says that the cavalcade is the highlight of Liberation Day.

"While the route change will be disappointing for some, we understand the impact of last year’s route on some of these very old vehicles, so it is sensible to make route changes to ensure their longevity."

After the military cavalcade finishes, the Crown Pier will host a 1940s festival with live music, food and drinks.

The night will end with the traditional fireworks display from the Castle Emplacement.