Jersey's Liberation Day celebrations return to the streets

News imageBBC Jersey Liberation Day 2022BBC
Liberation Square saw its first celebration after two years of virtual events marking the end of the island's World War Two occupation

Liberation Day has been celebrated in the streets of Jersey after two years of virtual celebrations.

The marking of the 77th anniversary of the end of German Occupation during World War Two has no Covid-19 restrictions in place.

Gatherings and parades took place at Liberation Square and Weighbridge Place.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex were in Jersey to mark the event, which saw a street party start at 09:30 BST.

News imageLee Hopkins Confetti at the Liberation Day paradeLee Hopkins
Confetti was sprayed into the air during the Liberation Day parade

Music, dancing and local food stalls were also part of the celebrations, with an estimated 1,600 people in Liberation Square alone.

Bailiff Timothy Le Cocq celebrated islanders being able to come together without coronavirus restrictions, and also reflected on how it was important to think of the people of Ukraine.

He also paid tribute to St Saviour Constable Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard, who died in April, saying her singing Beautiful Jersey in English and Jèrriais was one of the central points of Liberation Day celebrations.

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The Earl of Wessex delivered a Liberation Day message from Her Majesty the Queen, saying she sent her "warmest greetings".

In her message, the Queen also said how the day meant people were "reminded of the courage and sacrifice of those who remained, those who were deported or evacuated, and those who served in the armed forces".

As well as speaking at the Liberation Square gathering, the Earl of Wessex also unveiled a special battery of guns honouring the life and work of his father, the Duke of Edinburgh.

News imageLee Hopkins Soldiers in Liberation Day paradeLee Hopkins
Serving members of the armed forces took part in the parade
News imageLee Hopkins Veterans in Liberation Day paradeLee Hopkins
Veterans and supporters of the Royal British Legion also marched

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