Event Programme
Thursday 8 May
Meet the Pilots, sponsored by Ravenscroft
3.30pm - 6.30pm: East apron, Guernsey Airport
Hawker Hurricane
Harvard
C-47 Ready 4 Duty
Channel Islands Air Search
Joey
Airport fire tender
Military vehicles
Friday 9 May
Flypasts
| 11.35am | P8A Poseidon flypast along east coast |
| 11.45am | A400M flypast along east coast |
| 2.35pm - 2.45pm | Hurricane and Harvard will complete two laps of the island |
| 2.45 - 2.55pm | R4D C47 will complete two laps of the island |
| Approx 7.00pm | Spitfire MK9 flypast - two circuits round the island. |
RAF Falcons
| 3.30pm | Parachute drop at L’Eree |
Week commencing 5th May
6th May | St George's Esplanade | Unveiling of GASP plaque
A blue plaque in recognition of the Guernsey Active Secret Press will be unveiled on Tuesday 6th May, at 10.30am at 34 St George's Esplanade (China Red), St Peter Port. Everyone is welcome to attend.
When radios were confiscated by the German occupying forces in 1940, the work of GASP began. From June 1942 to May 1945, GASP was producing weekly and monthly newsletters. The threat of arrest was real - many islanders were prosecuted for possessing radio sets, and those behind the Guernsey Underground News Service (GUNS), another resistance network also distributing news, were deported. The Blue Plaque will commemorate those involved in GASP and the risks they took listening to broadcasts outside the island.
6th - 11th May | Lighting up of public buildings
Castle Cornet, Fort Grey and Beau Sejour Leisure Centre will be lit up in red, white and blue to make the 80th anniversary of VE Day and Liberation Day.
8th May | Castle Cornet | VE Day beacon lighting
The 8th May 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a celebration of the end of WWII in Europe. The beacon lighting represents the ‘light of peace’ that emerged.
The beacon lighting will take place at Castle Cornet on 8th at 9:30pm. The Castle will not be open to the public but the event will livestreamed on the Guernsey Museums Facebook page.
8th May | East Apron Guernsey Airport | Meet the Pilots
Members of the public will have the opportunity to see three legendary World War II aircraft at the Ravenscroft-sponsored Meet the Pilots on the East Apron at Guernsey Airport on Thursday 8 May from 3.30pm. The event will remain open until 6.30pm to allow people to enjoy the aircraft after work.
A R4D C-47 which is on a 12,000 mile round journey from America to to honour the service and sacrifice of American and Allied forces for VE Day and the 80th anniversary of the end of the war will be joined by a Hawker Hurricane and Harvard. Alongside these will also be Aurigny’s beloved Joey and the Channel Islands Air Search aircraft rounding out a tribute to decades of flight and service.
Robin Newbould, CEO of Ravenscroft, said:
'We are excited to continue our sponsorship of this much-loved community event which always attracts hundreds of aviation fans, young and old, and raises funds for the Guernsey Air Display. This type of event has been enjoyed in Guernsey for over 60 years and is so important in commemorating the legacy of the RAF community who have served their country over the last century.'
Saturday 9th May
9.00am | Seafront | Schools relay race
9.00am | Seafront | Schools relay race
10.00am | Parade
11am | Town Church | Church service
11am | Town Church | Church service
12pm | Activities start across the seafront
12pm | Activities start across the seafront
12pm - 5pm | Music at the Castle
12pm - 5pm | Music at the Castle
3pm | Seafront | Cavalcade arrives and forms static display
3pm | Seafront | Cavalcade arrives and forms static display
9:15pm | Fireworks
10:30 | End of event
Saturday 10th May
10am - 11am | Crown Pier | Quiet Hour, Downs Steam Fair
The vintage fairground will stay on Crown Pier for the weekend following Liberation Day.
There will be a quiet hour from 10am to 11am on both Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May, with lower music and lighting levels for those who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. Visitors are encouraged to wear a sunflower lanyard if they are attending during this dedicated time. All rides will be free during this hour.
Step onto the Gallopers, a hand-carved carousel built in 1893 by Frederick Savage. With twisted brass poles, cut glass mirrors and a traditional organ, it’s one of the oldest working carousels in the UK. It’s appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Half a Sixpence, and even operated at a Buckingham Palace garden party.
The Chair-o-Planes, built in the 1920s and redecorated in the 1970s by renowned fairground artist Neddy Matthews, are as popular now as they were a century ago.
The Helter Skelter stands 15 metres high and offers the same thrills it did in the 1950s. Restored by the Price family and featured in Paddington, it remains one of the few original slides still touring.
Children can also take the wheel in ten genuine 1950s Austin J40 pedal cars. Built by disabled miners in a Welsh factory set up by the Austin Motor Company, these chrome-trimmed classics run on a fixed circular track.
11am - 6pm | Crown Pier | Downs Steam Fair
The vintage fairground will stay on Crown Pier for Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May following Liberation Day.
Rides will be £3 each on these days.
Step onto the Gallopers, a hand-carved carousel built in 1893 by Frederick Savage. With twisted brass poles, cut glass mirrors and a traditional organ, it’s one of the oldest working carousels in the UK. It’s appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Half a Sixpence, and even operated at a Buckingham Palace garden party.
The Chair-o-Planes, built in the 1920s and redecorated in the 1970s by renowned fairground artist Neddy Matthews, are as popular now as they were a century ago.
The Helter Skelter stands 15 metres high and offers the same thrills it did in the 1950s. Restored by the Price family and featured in Paddington, it remains one of the few original slides still touring.
Children can also take the wheel in ten genuine 1950s Austin J40 pedal cars. Built by disabled miners in a Welsh factory set up by the Austin Motor Company, these chrome-trimmed classics run on a fixed circular track.
6pm | Beau Sejour | Liberation Concert
The Liberation Concert will involve local musicians who will perform with the Biberach Youth Orchestra.
The performance on Saturday 10 May at 6pm in the Sir John Loveridge Hall, Beau Sejour, will celebrate the strong relationship that has been formed with Biberach, the town in Germany where more than 80 islanders were deported during the war.
‘Music has played a key role in building our relationship with Biberach. Many of the musicians who are taking part in this concert have visited the town to perform over the years, and it is particularly important to involve our young people in this event’ Rachel Wright, conductor, said.
‘When I was choosing the programme, I wanted to find music that will remember, celebrate and commemorate our relationship with Biberach and the island’s liberation. I have included Mendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer and Parry’s I Was Glad and also wanted to feature, Maynine, which was written by the late Chris Claxton for the 65th anniversary and the mass Guernsey Sings event,’
The concert will feature works by other local composers Lydia Jane Pugh and Chris Claxton and songs written by Len Collins and Ernie Webster who were interned at Laufen Camp.
The concert is sold out. Please check with Beau Sejour if any tickets have been returned.
PROGRAMME
The Corps of Drums from The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland
Guernsey Choral and Orchestral Society, Biberach Youth Orchestra, Guernsey Chamber Choir, Bel Canto, Guernsey Music Service students from the Guernsey Youth Orchestra and Cantabile, and other local singers and musicians
| I was glad when they said unto me | Parry |
| Hear My Prayer | Mendelssohn |
| Greater Love hath no man | Ireland |
| Nimrod – from Enigma Variations | Elgar |
|
Maynine
|
Claxton arr. Grand |
Biberach Youth Orchestra
| The Great Gate of Kiev from Pictures at an Exhibition | Mussorgsky |
Guernsey Choral and Orchestral Society, Biberach Youth Orchestra, Guernsey Chamber Choir, Bel Canto, Guernsey Music Service students from the Guernsey Youth Orchestra and Cantabile, and other local singers and musicians
| Finlandia | Sibelius |
| Jean Rejoice! (The time of Peace is here) | Pugh |
| Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco | Verdi |
| Benedictus from The Armed Ma | Jenkins |
Cantabile
|
Dearest you have my heart I want you back again |
Two songs by Len Collins and Ernie Webster who were interned at Laufen Camp |
Guernsey Choral and Orchestral Society, Biberach Youth Orchestra, Guernsey Chamber Choir, Bel Canto, Guernsey Music Service students from the Guernsey Youth Orchestra and Cantabile, and other local singers and musicians
| Sarnia Cherie | Santangelo arr.Cordall |
Sunday 11th May
10am - 11am | Crown Pier | Quiet Hour, Downs Steam Fair
The vintage fairground will stay on Crown Pier for the weekend following Liberation Day.
There will be a quiet hour from 10am to 11am on both Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May, with lower music and lighting levels for those who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. Visitors are encouraged to wear a sunflower lanyard if they are attending during this dedicated time. All rides will be free during this hour.
Step onto the Gallopers, a hand-carved carousel built in 1893 by Frederick Savage. With twisted brass poles, cut glass mirrors and a traditional organ, it’s one of the oldest working carousels in the UK. It’s appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Half a Sixpence, and even operated at a Buckingham Palace garden party.
The Chair-o-Planes, built in the 1920s and redecorated in the 1970s by renowned fairground artist Neddy Matthews, are as popular now as they were a century ago.
The Helter Skelter stands 15 metres high and offers the same thrills it did in the 1950s. Restored by the Price family and featured in Paddington, it remains one of the few original slides still touring.
Children can also take the wheel in ten genuine 1950s Austin J40 pedal cars. Built by disabled miners in a Welsh factory set up by the Austin Motor Company, these chrome-trimmed classics run on a fixed circular track.
11am - 1pm | Crown Pier | Downs Steam Fair
The vintage fairground will stay on Crown Pier for Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May following Liberation Day.
Rides will be £3 each on these days.
Step onto the Gallopers, a hand-carved carousel built in 1893 by Frederick Savage. With twisted brass poles, cut glass mirrors and a traditional organ, it’s one of the oldest working carousels in the UK. It’s appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Half a Sixpence, and even operated at a Buckingham Palace garden party.
The Chair-o-Planes, built in the 1920s and redecorated in the 1970s by renowned fairground artist Neddy Matthews, are as popular now as they were a century ago.
The Helter Skelter stands 15 metres high and offers the same thrills it did in the 1950s. Restored by the Price family and featured in Paddington, it remains one of the few original slides still touring.
Children can also take the wheel in ten genuine 1950s Austin J40 pedal cars. Built by disabled miners in a Welsh factory set up by the Austin Motor Company, these chrome-trimmed classics run on a fixed circular track.