We’ll keep you up to date with everything that’s going on, from the re-enactment in Liberation Square in the morning to the fireworks at St Aubin’s Bay.
Send us your Liberation day pictures to online@jerseyeveningpost.com, upload them to the Your Jersey section of our website here, or get in touch via Twitter @JEPnews.
Scenes of celebration in People’s Park
HUNDREDS of Islanders have been enjoying an afternoon of food, drink and entertainment at People’s Park as part of this year’s 70th anniversary of Jersey’s Liberation.
A number of stalls offering some of Jersey’s finest ice-cream, Liberation ale and the traditional British favourite, fish and chips, boast queues of dozens of people.
Many Islanders have dressed up for the occasion, some in their official Forces uniforms, while others can be seen draped in Union Jack flags.
Janice Eden (70) said: ‘I think that this is brilliant.
A community tea party has also been taking part in the park, and this evening there will be a Liberation concert which will be headlined by Jersey singing star Nerina Pallot.
Thousands line the streets for Grand Liberation Parade
THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of St Helier this afternoon for the Grand Liberation Parade.
The event saw vintage and military vehicles parading from Liberation Square, through Broad Street to People’s Park.
Around 100 vehicles took part, accompanied by up to 1,000 people, both young and old.
Vast crowds lined the streets for the entire route of the parade, which ran without any hiccups.
The Grand Liberation Parade was also broadcast live on screens in the People’s Park, where thousands of people of all ages had gathered for the official Liberation Day celebrations.
A celebration of 70 years of freedom
THE young relived the Occupation for the old in the People’s Park this afternoon through a moving montage of theatre, music and photography.
A creative production put together by the Jersey Arts Centre YouTheatre, the Musical Originals singers and the Société Jersiaise combined readings of Occupation accounts, themed songs and archive photography displayed on big screens.
The winners of the Liberation 70 poetry competition also read out their poems and the five metre Jersey Field Squadron Flag was hoisted in the presence of Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex.
St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft said: ‘The involvement of young people as well as the veterans has been really inclusive.
‘It was particularly welcome to have some artistic contribution from the poets, singers and the youth theatre, as well as the marching bands.’
Royal visitor for States sitting
Jersey politicians were joined by Royalty this afternoon for an extra special States sitting to mark the 70th anniversary of the Island’s liberation.
During the ceremony, which took place in the People’s Park, Sophie Countess of Wessex read a message from Her Majesty the Queen.
Meanwhile, a message of reconciliation and hope was brought to the Island as the Bailiff delivered a Liberation Day speech to mark 70 years of freedom in Jersey.
In a ten-minute address before a crowd of thousands, including Royal representative the Countess of Wessex, he spoke of the way that Liberation Day celebrations could rekindle excitement and help to make Jersey an inclusive, safe and prosperous society.
Islanders and visitors were later treated to an afternoon of music and singing to mark the passing of seven decades since the Channel Islands were freed from German rule.
The event included a screening of this morning’s Liberation Square re-enactment.
Sadie Rennard, accompanied by the Band of the Island of Jersey, once again performed Beautiful Jersey and there were also recitals of the winning entries in the Liberation 70 poetry competition.
Thousands attend Liberation Square service
UP to two thousand people packed into Liberation Square this morning to remember the moment when the Island was liberated from Nazi rule, 70 years ago today.
The threat of rain did not deter the crowds who converged on the area around the Liberation sculpture, in front of the Pomme d’Or Hotel, where the Union Flag was raised on 9 May 1945 to signal the end of the German Occupation.
Following a 15-gun salute from HMS Iron Duke, which moored at St Helier Harbour, the Bailiff, William Bailhache, welcomed the crowd to the re-enactment ceremony and prayers of thanksgiving, which had not been part of the original 70th anniversary plans but were reinstated by popular request.
‘Who would have thought so many people would be here!’ he said, to loud applause.
‘It is a real pleasure to be able to welcome you all today,’ he added, paying tribute to the work of the organising team at the Bailiff’s Chambers.
Following prayers from the Dean of Jersey, the Very Rev Bob Key, the Bank of the Island of Jersey played some familiar tunes including Pack Up Your Troubles and It’s A Long Road to Tipperary.
But undoubtedly a focus of the event was the rendering by St Saviour Constable Sadie Le Sueur Rennard of Beautiful Jersey, which brought a roar of applause from the crowd sheltering under umbrellas and Union Flag hats.
Anne Venton, who recalls being outside the Pomme d’Or on 9 May 1945, said: ‘I can remember it was full of people here, all hugging each other, laughing and singing. It was very warm and my mother kept us out until late in the evening. It was incredible.’
Liberation celebrations across the world
ISLANDERS have been celebrating Liberation Day around the world.
Jamie De La Haye from Tauranga, New Zealand sent us this great photograph, above, and said that more than 50 Channel Islanders, from all over New Zealand, had got together to enjoy a special Liberation Day celebration.
People originally from Jersey, Guernsey, Sark and Alderney joined in the celebrations.
‘Stories about the islands were told and those with us who were there when the islands were liberated re-told their memories of that day,’ said Mr De La Haye.
‘Enjoy your celebration marking this special day, wherever you are in the world.’
Meanwhile, Paul Borny from Canberra, Australia, who grew up in Jersey, sent us the photograph above.
He writes: ‘We thought you may be interested in our family get together in Australia to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Liberation.
‘Both Geoffrey and Colin Borny were in Jersey during the occupation.
‘We all now live in Australia and we decided to get together in Canberra to mark the occasion.
‘Colin and his wife Jan drive down from Bathurst, and Paul and his fiancee Rob flew from Brisbane.’
Pictured are: Paul Borny, Geoffrey Borny, Colin Borny, Jan Borny, Rob Pine.
And Liberation Day celebrations are also taking place in Canada.
We would love to see pictures of your Liberation Day celebrations, wherever you are in the world. You can upload them here
9 May
On arrival at the Harbour Office our first ‘liberators’ went upstairs and hung a Union Jack out of one of the windows; there was deafening cheers, the National Anthem was sung, and the toughest witness could not restrain his emotion…
Many Jersey boys were among those who arrived, and each and every one received a great reception – cheers, cheers, and more cheers.
The first Jersey officer to land was Captain Hugh Le Brocq, who left the Island with the Militia in 1940, and to him fell the happy task of hoisting the Union Jack on Fort Regent…
The ‘E.P.’ went back to a four-page paper to-day, the leading article under the heading ‘Thank God!’ having ‘Gratitude’ as its theme.
Warship in the Island for Liberation weekend
A WARSHIP affiliated to Jersey is in the Island this weekend to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation.
The 23 Frigate HMS Iron Duke, a Royal Navy battleship, arrived on Friday for a five-day visit.
The ship, which has made a number of visits to the Island in recent years, is berthed at the Elizabeth Harbour, where it is expected to remain until next week.
Today, at 2.15 pm, members of the ship’s company will take part in the Liberation Grand Parade, which will begin in Liberation Square and finish at People’s Park.
The Portsmouth-based HMS Iron Duke will be open to visitors on Sunday and Monday from 1 pm to 4 pm on both days, with last entry at 3.30 pm.
On Monday members of the company have been invited to attend a reception at the Town Hall to celebrate the freedom of the Island and to exchange gifts.
The ship is due to set sail at 12 pm on Tuesday.
Police dogs ready for Liberation Day
Jersey’s police dogs are all set for today’s Liberation Day Royal visit.
Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, who is married to Prince Edward, will be attending the community event at People’s Park later today.
Beautiful Jersey
Liberation Square was this morning filled with the sound of Sadie Le Sueur Rennard singing the ever-popular Beautiful Jersey.
She will perform the song again later today as part of the celebrations in the People’s Park.
There’s a spot that I love that I ne’er can forget,
Tho’ far I may roam ’twill be dear.
For its beauty will linger in memory yet,
Where’er o’er the world I may steer.
Dear Jersey, fair Isle, of the ocean the queen,
Thy charms are so many and rare;
For love finds a home ‘mid each beauteous scene,
My heart ever longs to be there.
Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea,
Ever my heart turns in longing to thee;
Bright are the mem’ries you waken for me,
Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea.
On thy shores I have wandered in glad days of yore,
With one who is dear to my heart.
And the love-links will bind us as one evermore,
Although for a while we must part.
And oft in my dreams do I see the dear place
The dear little Isle of the sea,
And in fancy I gaze on a sweet loving face,
The face that is dearest to me.
Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea,
Ever my heart turns in longing to thee;
Bright are the mem’ries you waken for me,
Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea.
Jersey flag flying from UK Ministry of Justice
JERSEY’S flag is today being flown from the Ministry of Justice in Westminster to mark the 70th anniversary of the Island’s Liberation.
The Secretary of State for Justice, in his capacity as a Privy Councillor, has responsibility within the UK government for the relationship between the Crown and the Crown Dependencies.
It has now been proposed that marking Liberation Day in this way will become an annual event, alternating between the flags of the Channel Islands.
External Relations Minister Senator Sir Philip Bailhache said: ‘On this 70th anniversary of the Islands’ liberation, I am delighted that the Ministry of Justice has recognised the special position of the Channel Islands as the only parts of the British Isles to be occupied during the Second World War, and that a Channel Island flag will fly over Whitehall.’
