Liberation Day

Sadly, I didn't take my camera along for this event but I will recount the day nonetheless! Mike and I walked less than half a mile to the proceedings from our flat! No need to find a car parking space!

The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by German troops during the WW2. All but Jersey were liberated on 8th May and Jersey had to wait until 9th May to be officially liberated.

HMS Beagle arrived on 9th May to accept the surrender of the occupying forces. Both the Jersey flag and the Union Jack were raised in several sites around the main weigh bridge square and this has been reenacted in the same way each year since the liberation in 1945.

As the liberating troops came into the main square in 1945 they gave out oranges and sweets to the children, and this tradition is continued today only the oranges and sweets are given out to the elderly!

In the modern day liberation day service there were several high ranking island officials who gave short speeches as well a short religious service, conducted by the current reverend of the island. It was a very poignant service and I felt very grateful for the freedom myself and my family and friends currently enjoy, and for those who sacrificed their lives in conflict or for protection so that we may continue to live in such happy circumstances.

On 26th April 2013, 6 cyclists left Jersey to attempt to cycle from St. Malo to Bad Wurzach,

Germany AND BACK, in time to arrive in Jersey on Liberation Day a distance of approximately 1,300 miles round trip!

The connection between the Red Cross and the Channel Islands is very strong and emotive. The Red Cross food parcels delivered to the islands from late 1944 until the end of the occupation were delivered by the Red Cross ship, SS Vega. Many islanders who lived through this period said how much they owed to the Red Cross for these parcels. The Red Cross also supplied parcels to the internees and islanders who were deported to the civilian internment camp at Bad Wurzach during the war.

St. Helier and Bad Wurzach are ‘twinned’ and the Burgermiester of Bad Wurzach sent a letter back to be read out on Liberation day as part of the service, which was delivered by the cyclists to the Lieutenant Governor during the ceremony. They cycled into the proceedings!

The song, Beautiful Jersey, below was sung and you can hear it here! It is sung in Jerriais (Jersey French) and English. I thought it was very quaint! Once can't help but sway when one hears it!

Beautiful Jersey There's a spot that I love that I ne'er can forget, Tho' far I may roam 'twill be dear. For its beauty will linger in memory yet, Where'er o'er the world I may steer. Dear Jersey, fair Isle, of the ocean the queen, Thy charms are so many and rare; For love finds a home 'mid each beauteous scene, My heart ever longs to be there. Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea, Ever my heart turns in longing to thee; Bright are the mem'ries you waken for me, Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea. On thy shores I have wandered in glad days of yore, With one who is dear to my heart. And the love-links will bind us as one evermore, Although for a while we must part. And oft in my dreams do I see the dear place The dear little Isle of the sea, And in fancy I gaze on a sweet loving face, The face that is dearest to me. Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea, Ever my heart turns in longing to thee; Bright are the mem'ries you waken for me, Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea.

Man Bieau P'tit Jerri Y'a un coin d'terre que j'aime, que j'n'oubliéthai janmais - Dans mes pensées tréjous preunmyi - Car jé n'vai rein à compather à ses bieautés Dans touos mes viages à l'êtrangi. Jèrri, man paradis, pus belle taque souos l'solé - Qué j'aime la paix dé chu Jèrri! L'amour lé veurt, j'ai si envie dé m'en r'aller Èrvaie man chièr pétit pays, Man bieau p'tit Jèrri, la reine des îles - Lieu dé ma naissance, tu m'pâsses bein près du tchoeu; Ô, tchi doux souv'nîn du bouon temps qu' j'ai ieu Quand j'pense a Jèrri, la reine des îles! Jé connais touos tes charmes; et combein qu' j'en ai joui Auve eun-é chiéthe anmie, aut' fais! Quand méme qué pouor a ch't heu jé n sais pon tout près d'lyi, N'y' a rein qu' Jèrri dans mes pensées. Et pis, comme tout bouon Jèrriais, dans l'fond d'man tchoeu J'ai grand envie dé m'en r'aller Dans l'île tchi m'a donné tant d'amour et d'bonheu , Èrvaie ma chiéthe et man siez-mé. Man bieau p'tit Jèrri, la reine des îles - Lieu dé ma naissance, tu m'pâsses bein près du tchoeu; Ô, tchi doux souv'nîn du bouon temps qu' j'ai ieu Quand j'pense a Jèrri, la reine des îles!

After the service there was a parade with every organisation including St Johns Ambulance, RAF, Army, Navy, Sea Cadets, Brownies, Guides, Chelsea Pensioners and the list goes on! After the parade there was a display of vintage cars, trucks and even a tank!

Later on that day, in true liberation day style, both Iron Man and Cartain Kirk saved the day at Cineworld. We both have unlimited passes and the weather was as to be expected on a British bank holiday. In other words unfavourable! 

VIVE LA JERSEY!!!

Storming the Castle!

As mentioned in the post Glorious Gorey, Mike and I have heritage cards and today we christened them at Elizabeth Castle. The castle is around 500m, as the crow flies, from our house but we have to walk nearly a mile to get there because of where the access routes are. During high tide the castle is cut off from the land by the sea. However, 3 hours either of low tide the castle is accessible by foot via a causeway. We arrived just a little to early to walk across so we caught the Duck, which is a semi-aquatic vehicle, designed to drive as far as it can then float/be propelled when the water passes a critical depth. We thought it would be fun to give it a whirl! They played cheesy, nautical related music on the ride over!

Once in the castle we begun to explore! However, knowing that we could come back whenever we wanted there was no pressure to see everything in one day. It was a far bigger place than Mike remembered from his childhood days and, from my daily walks, I could not get the full perspective from outside the castle!

The castle mound was first home to an abbey which was raided and grounded during the reformation. The only part to remain was St Helier's hermitage which still stands today, a little way out from the castle on a high rock.

Being one of the major defences of Jersey, the castle was also used as a garrison for troops. They still do re-enactments, including firing a canon! Usually it can be fired in 60 seconds. Today it was done in 6-10 minutes! See if you can spot someone we know! ;)

During the second world war the Germans used the castle as a base and fortified it somewhat. All of the fortifications still remain and many of them aided the preservation of the castle.

We had a thoroughly marvellous time and plan to go again! Come and visit and we will take you!