Former Senator Terry Le Main, Daphne Minihane of Age Concern and St Saviour Constable Sadie Rennard – who have all expressed concerns about the plans to move the 9 May celebrations from Liberation Square to the People’s Park – met the Bailiff, William Bailhache, and Chief Minster Ian Gorst at the hastily arranged meeting.
Islanders who lived through the Occupation have said they are ‘incensed’ and ‘deeply offended’ that the traditional celebrations have been scrapped in favour of a new format and location.
Three survivors have now told the JEP that they plan to boycott the events at the park and will attend just the flag-raising ceremony at the Pomme d’Or Hotel.
And one, Tony Runacres (80), now wants an apology from the Jersey authorities, who he said had failed to consult the Island’s elderly residents about the changes.
‘I feel they have totally disregarded the people that were here during the war,’ he said.
‘To a lot of people Liberation Day is a sacred day and it should be kept as such. You don’t move the ceremony just because someone wants to make a change.
‘The ceremonies have always been at the Royal Square and the Pomme d’Or. We have always had the service at Liberation Square – all they are going to do there this year is put the flags up and everything else is going to be at People’s Park.’
‘A lot of people I have spoken to feel the same and are not going to go to People’s Park, just Liberation Square.
‘They should have asked the people who were here during the war for their opinion. I feel that the Chief Minister and the Bailiff should apologise to the old people for failing to consult them.’
He also expressed disappointment that St Saviour Constable Sadie Rennard would not be singing Beautiful Jersey in Liberation Square this year, as she will be performing in the park instead.
Fellow Occupation survivor Barbara Perkins (82) echoed Mr Runacres’ sentiments about the celebrations being moved.
‘We always had the service in Liberation Square. I don’t want to go to People’s Park – it’s not the same,’ she said.
‘They are doing a religious service in the Town Church the night before but what sort of celebrations can you have in the Town Church?’
‘I have been in touch with the Bailiff’s office and they said there will be a programme printed but I haven’t seen anything yet.
‘The Bailiff has been going on about doing things the “Jersey way” but if this is the “Jersey way”, then I don’t think much of it.’
And in a letter published in today’s JEP Edward Rousseau said he too planned to avoid the celebrations in the People’s Park.
‘I am afraid the Bailiff and his office have totally ruined the 70th anniversary for many of us that were here during the Occupation and for those that were evacuated,’ he says.
‘From comments made by many people I speak to I believe that a lot people will boycott the celebrations, myself and my wife included,’ he says.
The Bailiff’s Chambers declined to comment.
LIBERATION celebrations. What celebrations? I am afraid the Bailiff and his office have totally ruined the 70th anniversary for many of us that were here during the Occupation and for those that were evacuated.
Most of the States Members were not even born then, yet they pretend to know what is better for us. Even Deputy Sam Mézec tells us not to worry and that the celebrations will be brilliant. Sam, when you are a little older you may get to understand how the older generation feels and what they want from these so important 70th anniversary celebrations. There will not be that many more for most of us who were here in 1945.
The Liberation Square and re-enactment that has taken place there for many years is what is to us the most important part of this ceremony and should not have been interfered with. While I appreciate these celebrations are for the benefit of all Islanders, surely the word ‘liberation’ is a clue that the ones to whom it means the most, are those of us that were in the Island and those that sadly had to be evacuated to the UK, separating them from the rest of their families.
The powers that be believe that because it is the 70th anniversary, many more people will be attending. Well it’s pretty obvious that they are not thinking of those of us who were here during the Occupation. Do they really think we are all able to walk from Liberation Square to the People’s Park? Our Chief Minister was going to speak to the Bailiff about what had been done, but as with so many promises from politicians, nothing came of that. From comments made by many people I speak to I believe, like former Senator Terry Le Main, that a lot people will boycott the celebrations, myself and my wife included.
Apparently politicians from all sides of the House leapt to the defence of the Bailiff supporting the changes he has made. Now there’s a surprise. We could not expect otherwise could we? Even during the Occupation, the Bailiff and politicians did their best to side with the population against the Germans. Whatever happened to politicians who were elected to serve us as opposed to the Members we have now who, it seems to me, do anything but what the people of this Island want? They are fortunate to be politicians in Jersey and not some other jurisdiction, where they would be got rid of.
IT is clear that many Islanders are upset about changes to the programme for Liberation Day celebrations this year, the 70th anniversary of one of the greatest days in Jersey’s history.
The hurt is particularly strong among some who lived through the dark days of Occupation and who feel unhappy that the annual ceremony is being moved to the People’s Park.
There are no doubt lessons to be learned for the future, not least the need to consult Islanders and communicate more effectively about why change is deemed necessary.
But it is now important that these disagreements are put aside and we focus on the greater goal of ensuring that the Island’s national day is not marred by division and acrimony.
We are where we are, and it is not now feasible to revert to the tried-and-tested running order with Liberation Square the focal point of celebrations.
Arguments can wait until after 9 May.
