Jersey marks Liberation 80

Wednesday, 7 May 2025 10:00

Celebrations and commemorations are marking 80 years since Jersey was liberated from five years of Nazi rule during the Second World War.

Events are going on across the island for the landmark anniversary of the end of the German occupation on 9 May 1945.

The main focus will be on Liberation Square on Friday 9 May, which will be the venue for the traditional re-enactment of the moment British soldiers from Force 135 arrived in the island and unfurled the Union flag, signifying freedom for the island's population.

It starts at 11am and will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.

The Bailiff, Sir Tim Le Cocq, will make his last Liberation Day address before his retirement in October. The Service of Thanksgiving will be led by The Dean of Jersey, The Very Reverend Mike Keirle.

At noon, there will be a march past and motorcade, followed by a flypast at 12.10pm by RAF Poseidon.

A full programme of live music and entertainment will be staged at the Weighbridge throughout Friday afternoon.

Stage line-up (subject to change).

13.00 – 14:00 Optimistic Voices Band: 1940’s themed Trio with Band
14.05 - 14.20 Jersey Hoppers: 1940’s dance display piece
14.30 - 15.10 Retro Gramophone: 5-piece Jazz Band. Vocals: Jenny McCarthy
15:15 – 15:30 Jersey Hoppers: public participation ‘Learn to Lindy.’
15.45 - 16:45 Jersey Big Band: Jazz/Swing Band with singers
16.30 - 16.45 Jersey Hoppers: Open dance floor - music from Jersey Big Band.
16:40 – 17:10 Performers Dance Piece
17:15 – 17:55 The Word on the Street – Stage Performance
18:20 – 19:50 Brick House

At 1.15pm there will be a special short service in the Royal Square in tribute to the Red Cross ship the SS Vega, which delivered aid to the island on 30 December 1944, bringing much-needed food parcels to islanders who were on the brink of starvation.

The service will be attended by some of the recipients of those lifesaving parcels, and there will be speeches from the Bailiff, Chief Minister and International Development Minister Deputy Carolyn Labey.

Attention then turns to Westmount, where, at 3pm, there will be the annual Slave Workers Memorial Service at the Crematorium.

This ceremony remembers the foreign workers who died during the occupation in the presence of the Lieutenant Governor, Bailiff, and Chief Minister. Families of those affected will also lay wreaths.

The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied during WWII. 9 May is celebration as Jersey's national day, and 2025 marks 80 years of liberation.

On King and Queen Street, the backs of benches have been decorated with images from the Société Jersiaise and Jersey Archive, giving passers-by a snapshot of what life was like during the German Occupation.

Jersey Post has issued specially-designed stamps and has a display at Broad Street Post Office showing the role the Post Office played in keeping communications open during the occupation (Thursday 8 May: 08.30am-5.00pm and Saturday 10 May: 08.30am-1.00pm)

People wanting to learn more about the occupation and liberation of Jersey can take in a wealth of new exhibitions relating to the time.

Jersey Heritage and ArtHouse explore untold stories of Liberation

Jersey Museum's 'Life after Liberation' is shares the stories of the immediate aftermath of the celebrations on 9 May 1945, and what happened in the years that followed as the island tried to recover emotionally and economically (until 31 December)

At Capital House in St Helier, ArtHouse Jersey is exploring the memories and experiences of the Jersey deportees who were sent to a prison camp in a small town called Wurzach (until 8 June)

Société Jersiaise has a new display in the Members' room of items from the Lord Coutanche Library’s collection, including a parcel from the Canadian Red Cross, a copy of The Evening Post dated Wednesday, 9th May 1945, and a German Occupation Diary by James C. Vincent.

There is also a display of photographs from Liberation Day 1945.

Historians will also be giving free lunchtime talks (see https://societe.je/events/ for dates) until 14 May - offering insights into the time. There will be a screening of ‘Living with the Enemy’, a documentary based on the book by Roy Mc Loughlin at 6pm on 07 May.

If you prefer a more active walk through the past, ‘La fîn du temps f'tha tout vaie’ (Time Will Tell) are immersive guided walks going on during Liberation week.

Told through the eyes of someone being forced to leave Jersey due to the Occupation, the walks will be led by a local performance artist, who will guide participants from the Crapaud statue at Charing Cross to the Weighbridge, uncovering Jèrriais street names, their meanings and the stories they hold along the way (Monday to Saturday, 5-10 May at 10.30am, except on Liberation Day (9th) when the walk will be at 2pm.)

The Parish of St John is staging its own exhibition of WW2 artefacts - some of which have never been on display before. It is open 10am-4pm daily (and until 7pm on Wednesday 7 May) until Sunday 11 May.

Music-lovers are not left out of the Liberation Day programme.

La Ronde Concert Band will perform in Howard Davis Park on Wednesday 7 May – 7.30 – 8.30 pm.

The programme of war time favourites is dedicated to those who endured the occupation and those who sacrificed their lives to bring us freedom.

Entry is free, with a retiring collection for the The British Red Cross - Jersey.

On Liberation Day itself, the band will be performing in Liberation Square from 10am ahead of the traditional service.

Then, later on 9 May, Music in Action brings its Liberation Music Festival to the newly-refitted Jersey Opera House - marking the first performance at the historic theatre in five years.

"The famous players of the Liberation Orchestra, directed by the internationally acclaimed violinist Harriet Mackenzie, take you on a vibrant musical journey blending old and new with an exciting Latin American twist. Be knocked out by a new tango concerto and a tango version of the Four Seasons alongside popular world war two songs."

On 10 May, Jersey Chamber Orchestra and Choir will perform a gala night of film music from the second world war in a “Last night of the Proms” style at St Helier Methodist Church.

Many of Jersey's parishes are staging their own family-friendly celebrations on Saturday 10 May, with St Saviour's at the Recreation ground from 10am, Grouville's on the common from 11am, St John's a ticketed 1940s-themed affair at the school from 2pm and St Martin's on the village green 1pm-5pm.

Jersey and Guernsey flags will be flown above the UK Ministry of Justice in London to mark the day, while HRH Princess Anne will visit Guernsey on 9 May and Sark on 10 May for the island's respective Liberation 80 commemorations.

Full listings are available at www.liberationday.je