Liberation 80 – Party in the Parish

We are delighted to reveal the Party in the Parish details for the Liberation 80 celebrations which will take place on Saturday 10th May 2025.

Rev Kirsty will kick off proceedings with a service at 10.00 in the Parish Church.

At 11.00 an oak tree will be planted to commemorate the day.  The oak has been kindly donated by a member of the public to the National Trust who, in turn, have given it to us. Both will be on hand to help with the planting along with a couple of our own VIP occupation Parishioners.

Tea/coffee/biscuits from 12.00 in the Community Centre hall where the rest of the day takes place. We have a supply of burgers, sausages and rolls that our Honorary Police will be cooking up which are free on a first come first served basis, bring your own extras and make a picnic! St Mary’s Country Pub will be on hand with their mobile bar for refreshments. Thanks to the Co-Op and Jersey Dairy for their donations towards the food and drink element.

At 12.00 the Optimistic Voices trio will sing songs including some oldies from the 40’s and 50’s.

During the afternoon we have games for the children, a bouncy castle, and an ice cream van.  Ivor Barette will offer carriage rides around the Parish roads with his beautiful team of horses. The tug of war rope has been dug out ready for teams to battle it out for first across the chalk.

Richard Curtis is setting up his amazing model railway upstairs in the centre, where you can see it in action along with some memorabilia from the Occupation.

Don’t miss the Dog Show at 1.30 – in collaboration with St Mary’s Jersey Village Vets.  Vet Adele will co-judge with the Constable and Veterinary Nurse Cory-lee will be on hand to compere the event. There will be five classes, including best biscuit catcher, so start the training now. Entry forms will be available at the Parish Hall.

Afternoon tea is at 2.30 with special guest Stuart Gillies who will be hot foot from his set with the Big Band on the 9th May in Liberation Square to entertain us followed by our own St Mary’s Choir who have been practising a wonderful medley to finish the day. Many of our Parish are making cakes and La Mare Vineyards are providing two of their own, it’s possible one may be the famous black butter cheesecake. If the Parish team haven’t eaten it first!

If all that’s not enough, we have some specially made merchandise that will be available to buy (at less than cost price) to keep as a memento of the Liberation 80. These will be in the Parish Hall the week before.

Please take lots of photos of the day, send them to us at the parish hall ([email protected]) as a selection of the best may well be used in the Parish magazine. You may even win a prize!

~~~  Come along and enjoy the celebrations with us on this special day ~~~

Special thanks to the Liberation Committee team who have been meeting regularly to create this day, and to everyone that has given their time to volunteer, make cakes, provide entertainment, music, food, drink and donations.