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BBC News
16-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
More than 20,000 attended Liberation Day events in Guernsey
More than 20,000 people turned out to mark the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day in St Peter Port, according to States of Guernsey data showed 350 vehicles took part in the cavalcade, which saw a tortoise named Timothy, who lived through Occupation, ride along in a cage on top of a classic Fiat 500. The States said accommodation providers reached 90% capacity over the weekend of celebrations, which also included a visit from Princess Channel Islands was the only British territory to be occupied by German forces in World War Two. Events were also held in other parts of the island, including a major celebration at L'Eree hosted by the parish of St Peter' Princess Royal visited the celebrations in the afternoon, speaking with islanders who lived through the were six aerial flypasts by aircraft including a P8 Poseidon, Hurricane and day concluded in St Peter Port with live music at North Beach, a moving drone show depicting wartime history, as well a fireworks finale over Castle were also held in other parts of the island, including a major celebration at L'Eree hosted by the parish of St Peter's. Helen Glencross, head of Heritage Services and chairwoman of the Liberation Day Oversight Board, said Liberation Day was a "truly unforgettable celebration"."It not only commemorated a defining moment in Guernsey's history, but was also an incredible display of the strength, spirit and unity of our community today," she said."It was especially meaningful to honour those who lived through the Second World War and Occupation, as well as those who experienced liberation first-hand."
BBC News
08-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
WW2 tortoise to join Guernsey's Liberation Day cavalcade
A tortoise who survived World War Two will be part of the Liberation Day celebrations in Guernsey, along with its owner. Timothy the 87-year-old tortoise was gifted to Maggie Cull and her family as a christening present in 1941 during the German Occupation of as one of the only surviving pets who lived on the island during the war, Mrs Cull and Timothy will be joining the Liberation Day Cavalcade on Friday, the States Cull said: "We both lived in Guernsey throughout the war, so we're delighted to be included in the 80th year parade." Mrs Cull was a baby in 1941 when German forces made her family leave their home in Guernsey. "We were kicked out of our home with 30 minutes notice as they wanted the house as a strategic vantage point during the Occupation," she said."We had to move into an abandoned bungalow. My godmother luckily lived next door and gave me a very tiny tortoise as a christening present."She said her family did not expect the tortoise, which she named Timothy, to survive. "It took 25 years to be told by a vet that she was a female but 85 years on we still call her Timothy," she said. Mrs Cull has kept Timothy in Guernsey since the war, despite an attempt by the tortoise to escape in five days exploring the island, Timothy was safely returned to Mrs Cull, unharmed.
