Islanders to enjoy island-wide Cavalcade on Liberation Day

Liberation Day organisers have released the route for the island-wide Cavalcade which will visit all ten parishes in Guernsey on Sunday May 9th.

Following concerns about large crowd gatherings, the States of Guernsey Liberation Day Committee have made sure there will still be plenty of events that everyone can enjoy as we celebrate the 76th anniversary of the Occupation together. Islanders will be able to pick a spot on the Cavalcade route to watch over 100 military vehicles and motorbikes from the Guernsey Military Vehicle Group and classic cars from the Old Car Club. Sections of the Cavalcade will also be live streamed on social media.

Organisers have shared approximate timings for the day and the route will follow the majority of the island coast road at a slow pace, beginning at 2pm in Torteval. The Cavalcade will travel onwards to St Andrew via St Saviour, to Castel and Vale Castle, through Vazon and Cobo and onwards to Vale Church.

The final stages of the Cavalcade can be seen through St Peter Port and St Martin before it moves through Forest, finally disbanding at Rue de Longfrie.

Liberation Day Cavalcade Director Jeff Vidamour said: “As larger celebrations could not happen this year, we wanted to find a way to visit as many islanders as possible whilst respecting Public Health’s advice. We are very excited to put on a round-the-island Cavalcade, it’s a focal point of Liberation Day and we are pleased we have the opportunity to do it again this year”.

Deputy Sue Aldwell of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture said “We encourage everyone to come out and watch from a spot on the route, wave flags and take pictures, the cavalcade may even go past your house so you can enjoy the display from the comfort of your own home. Keep an eye out for a variety of vehicles including a Dodge ambulance, a Daimler Dingo armoured car and a Dodge weapons carrier.”

The Liberation Day Committee are grateful to local businesses who have shown their support for Liberation Day, with JT supporting this year’s cavalcade.

Tamara O Brien, Deputy Managing Director, JT said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to support this unique island-wide Cavalcade for The Liberation Day celebrations this year. It’s important to us to be part of community events that not only bring people together but inspire change and innovation.

“Whether you are taking part or enjoying the spectacle either watching live online or in person by the roadside, as we commemorate and celebrate one of the biggest days in our Island’s history, it promises to be an event not to be missed.’’

The complete route will be:

14.00 Torteval to St Saviour: Torteval Church – Route de Pleinmont – Imperial Hotel (14.10) – coast road to Perelle – Route de la Perelle (14.20) – La Grande Rue – Rue à l’Or – Rue des Choffins – Le Neuf Chemin Road

14.25 St Saviour to St Andrew: St Saviour’s Church – Les Buttes – Les Prevosts Road – Route des Houguets – Route de St André – Rue Frairies

14.30 St Andrew to Castel: St Andrew’s Church – Route de St André – Route de la Croix-au-Bailiff – Rue Piette – Castel Church

14.40 Castel to Vale: Castel Church – Route de l’Eglise – Rue du Preel – Rue des Eturs – La Houguette Road – La Mare Road – La Rocquette – Vazon – Cobo (14.50) – coast road to L’Islet – La Route de l’Islet

15.00 Vale to St Sampson: Vale Church – L’Ancresse Road – Les Clôtures Road – Les Mielles Road – La Rochelle Road – Rue du Bordeaux

15.10 St Sampson to St Peter Port: North Quay – South Quay – Bulwer Avenue – Les Banques – Glategny Esplanade

15.20 St Peter Port to St Martin: Weighbridge Roundabout – St Julian’s Avenue – The Grange – Queen’s Road – Prince Albert Road – Colborne Road – Fort Road – La Route de Sausmarez

15.30 St Martin to Forest: La Grande Rue – Rue Maze – La Route des Cornus – Forest Road – Le Chêne

15.35 Forest to St. Pierre du Bois: Forest Church – Route des Farras – Le Bourg - Route de Plaisance – Rue de Longfrie

15.45 The Cavalcade will disband at The Longfrie Inn

Organisers will be releasing the full timetable of events in due course.