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ITV News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
'Profoundly moved': Sir Winston Churchill's grandson joins Liberation 80 celebrations in Jersey
The grandson of Sir Winston Churchill has praised Channel Islanders after observing Jersey's 80th Liberation Day celebrations. Sir Nicholas Soames attended the island's Service of Thanksgiving, where residents commemorate the day Jersey was liberated from German Occupation on 9 May 1945. Islanders re-enacted the moment when British soldiers walked into the town of St Helier and raised the Union flag on the Pomme d'Or Hotel balcony 80 years ago. Sir Nicholas explains: "There's nothing Disney-fied about it. It is as it happened and people are still incredibly mindful of it and grateful. "I don't think anyone needs to tell the people of Jersey to remember their history. I think they do it very well for themselves." Thousands of Jersey residents watched the re-enactment, which was followed by a march past of uniformed personnel and a motorcade of vintage vehicles. Sir Nicholas adds: "I really was deeply impressed by it and I feel the community's spirit here. There's nowhere you can go where people are so loyal, singing the National Anthem with cheers all around the Square. "To see a crew from the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and the equivalent German Naval Cadets marching together is unbelievable. "Nobody is going to forget what happened. It was very bad and there were some terrible goings on, but at the end of the day, it's all over, thank God." In Churchill's address to the British Isles on VE Day, the Prime Minister announced that "our dear Channel Islands are also to be freed today". Reflecting on that period, Sir Nicholas says: "There was constant worry throughout the war as to what was to be done; how the Channel Islands were and whether it was worth trying to retake them, but I think Jersey comes out of it triumphantly, personally. "He would have loved Liberation because he loved celebration - he would have loved it because he greatly believed that if you don't know the lessons of history, you're bound to get them wrong again. "It's been a wonderful experience - I'm very honoured to have been invited to come and I've been profoundly moved."
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jersey Liberation Day 2025: What events are planned
A re-enactment, a music event and a cavalcade will be part of the events held in Jersey to mark Liberation Day. This year it is the 80th anniversary of when German occupying forces surrendered in World War Two. Liberation Day will also become an official national holiday on the island for the first time. The annual Liberation Day breakfast will start the celebrations for some on Friday. Surviving islanders who were in Jersey during the Occupation, service personal, internees and evacuees will get together for a buffet. The event will take place from 07:30 BST in the Town Hall, St Helier. A service and re-enactment will then be held in Liberation Square, St Helier, at 11:00. As part of this there will be a re-enactment of Force 135's arrival into Liberation Square followed by a performance of Beautiful Jersey the new official National Anthem. Limited seats in Liberation Square are available on a first come first served basis for those wishing to attend the ceremony and service of thanksgiving led by The Dean of Jersey, the Very Reverend Mike Keirle. There will be some reserved seating which will be allocated by the parishes to senior citizens and their families, residents in Jersey during the Occupation, evacuees and those who were deported as well as those who served in the war. At 12:00 BST a march past will take place in front of the Pomme d'Or Hotel, which will be followed by the vintage vehicle motorcade. The cavalcade will follow along Coast Road, past La Rocque, Gorey, Church, Trinity Church, Church before stopping at the La Fontain Tavern in St John. The parade will include vehicles from the Jersey Old Motor Club and The Jersey Military Vehicle Group. The iconic opera house is to reopen after five years of refurbishments to host two Liberation Day concerts. The concerts at the Grade II listed building will see the Philharmonia Orchestra playing World War Two songs performed by Jersey singer Georgie Mae-Bishop. A music festival will run from 9 to 18 May with events at venues including Hamptonne, Gorey Harbour, Rozel Fort. According to Music in Action, there is a theme of escape and reflecting joy through music, hoping to celebrate the anniversary. Local artists featured include Matthew Lombard on saxophone, Jersey Academy of Music Saxophone ensemble and the Jersey Chamber Choir. Islanders have been invited to Weighbridge Place for a free Liberation Day party from 12:45. There will be performances by the Jersey Hoppers, StepByStep Dance School and Performers Jersey as well as local food stalls. For the first time, this year Jersey's parishes will be competing in various sporting events and fun-filled competitions throughout the day. The events will be arranged by the island's constables. The games are already under way to honour the anniversary. Year 6 pupils from all primary schools across the island will participate over four days at FB fields, Springfield Stadium and Les Quennevais Sports Centre. Parish tea parties and get togethers are also set to shape the day for many across the island. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Opera House reopens for Liberation Day concerts Free tickets available for Liberation service States of Jersey
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Jersey Liberation Day 2025: What events are planned
A re-enactment, a music event and a cavalcade will be part of the events held in Jersey to mark Liberation year it is the 80th anniversary of when German occupying forces surrendered in World War Day will also become an official national holiday on the island for the first time. Breakfast and tea The annual Liberation Day breakfast will start the celebrations for some on islanders who were in Jersey during the Occupation, service personal, internees and evacuees will get together for a event will take place from 07:30 BST in the Town Hall, St Helier. Service of thanksgiving A service and re-enactment will then be held in Liberation Square, St Helier, at 11: part of this there will be a re-enactment of Force 135's arrival into Liberation Square followed by a performance of Beautiful Jersey the new official National seats in Liberation Square are available on a first come first served basis for those wishing to attend the ceremony and service of thanksgiving led by The Dean of Jersey, the Very Reverend Mike will be some reserved seating which will be allocated by the parishes to senior citizens and their families, residents in Jersey during the Occupation, evacuees and those who were deported as well as those who served in the war. March and motorcade At 12:00 BST a march past will take place in front of the Pomme d'Or Hotel, which will be followed by the vintage vehicle cavalcade will follow along Coast Road, past La Rocque, Gorey, Church, Trinity Church, Church before stopping at the La Fontain Tavern in St parade will include vehicles from the Jersey Old Motor Club and The Jersey Military Vehicle Group. Opera house reopens The iconic opera house is to reopen after five years of refurbishments to host two Liberation Day concerts at the Grade II listed building will see the Philharmonia Orchestra playing World War Two songs performed by Jersey singer Georgie Mae-Bishop. Music festival A music festival will run from 9 to 18 May with events at venues including Hamptonne, Gorey Harbour, Rozel to Music in Action, there is a theme of escape and reflecting joy through music, hoping to celebrate the artists featured include Matthew Lombard on saxophone, Jersey Academy of Music Saxophone ensemble and the Jersey Chamber Choir. Liberation Day party Islanders have been invited to Weighbridge Place for a free Liberation Day party from 12: will be performances by the Jersey Hoppers, StepByStep Dance School and Performers Jersey as well as local food stalls. Games and celebrations For the first time, this year Jersey's parishes will be competing in various sporting events and fun-filled competitions throughout the events will be arranged by the island's games are already under way to honour the 6 pupils from all primary schools across the island will participate over four days at FB fields, Springfield Stadium and Les Quennevais Sports tea parties and get togethers are also set to shape the day for many across the island.
