The Very Reverend Tim Barker to lead his last Liberation Day Town Church service

Islanders are invited to attend this year's Liberation Day service in the Town Church, the final one to be led by the Very Reverend Tim Barker before his retirement.

The Dean of Guernsey, who retires at the end of July, will lead the service on Saturday 9 May at 11am, welcoming dignitaries, veterans and members of the public to Town Church.

A parade will precede the Town Church service and will include visiting military and Chelsea Pensioners, uniformed youth organisations and veterans. 

Together, they will march from the White Rock to the seafront where it will be inspected by His Excellency The Lieutenant-Governor and The Bailiff. 

The parade will continue into the Town Church for the service, which will include hymns, prayers and acts of remembrance for the people who lived through the war and the island's Occupation.

The Very Reverend Tim Barker said:

"Having been Dean of Guernsey since November 2015, this will be my eleventh Town Church service on Liberation Day. Each year has been memorable and fulfilling. It has been a great privilege to be involved to deeply in the commemoration of one of the most significant days in Guernsey's history.  The Liberation Day services, in the Town Church and in one of the country parishes, provide a space for islanders to come together at the start of the day to take a moment to remember our shared history, and recognise the sacrifices made by so many for our freedom today."

The 2026 church service will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Thanksgiving Service held on 9 May 1946, when hundreds gathered at Candie Gardens one year after Guernsey's liberation.

As usual, the 11am service is open for anyone to attend in-person at the church on a first-come-first-served basis, with a livestream also available to watch on the screen on the Albert Pier, alongside additional seating.

A service of thanksgiving will also be held in the parish of St Pierre du Bois, at Sylvans S.C., at 10 am on Liberation Day. This service will closely follow the content of the Candie Gardens church service on the very first Liberation Day in 1946, and all members of the public are invited to attend.