As people across the Island confront unprecedented restrictions on their personal freedom, the Bailiff Timothy Le Cocq, said that, despite it being a very different Liberation Day from the one they had hoped for and expected, he hoped Islanders would enjoy Jersey’s national day.
‘We can still make the most of it and follow all of the traditional elements online,’ he added, ‘and I hope that everyone will take the opportunity to do so, as well as enjoying themselves and celebrating this 75th anniversary of Liberation.’
Mr Le Cocq was speaking ahead of his first Liberation Day since becoming Bailiff in October last year. It was planned to be one of the Island’s largest events marking the restoration of freedom following a wartime Occupation lasting almost five years.
However, the Bailiff was forced to announce that the freedom celebration would be curtailed following the introduction of coronavirus restrictions in March.
This morning, Mr Le Cocq will encourage Islanders to enjoy the occasion in its modified form and to follow some of the key elements in the annual programme which are being relayed online.
Those traditional elements will be supplemented this year by a special message to Islanders marking the anniversary from Her Majesty The Queen, to be delivered by the monarch’s personal representative in the Island, the Lieutenant-Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton.
At 11.30am on Saturday, the Bailiff will give his traditional Liberation Day address online, following a special virtual meeting of the States an hour earlier.
After the Bailiff has spoken, the Dean of Jersey, the Very Reverend Michael Keirle, will lead an ecumenical service after which the Union Flag will be raised at the Pomme d’Or Hotel, and there will be renditions of the National Anthem and ‘Beautiful Jersey’.
This formal programme, which would have taken place in Liberation Square where excited Islanders gathered 75 years ago, will be live-streamed via Facebook Live on the @Lib75Jsy page. The States meeting will be live online at statesassembly.gov.je and will also be broadcast live on BBC Radio Jersey.
