Guidance for flag flying this bank holiday and weekend.

Ahead of a weekend that will mark both the end of the wartime Occupation of Guernsey and the wider sacrifices of those who served and gave their lives to secure that freedom, the Bailiff Sir Richard Collas is issuing guidance on the flying of flags for the 8th, 9th and 10th May.

On VE Day, the 8th May, the Bailiff is asking that the Union flag is flown as Islanders mark the end of the Second World War in Europe.

At 11 am they are also invited to join the rest of the British Isles in observing a 2 minute silence, to remember those who gave their lives fighting in the Second World War, which of course includes members of the armed forces from our own Bailiwick.

On the 9th May and 10th May, Islanders should fly the Guernsey flag to mark the Island’s 75th Liberation Day.

The Bailiff Sir Richard Collas said: “This weekend we remember those who endured one of the most difficult times in our Island’s history and those who fought and sacrificed their lives to free them. It comes at a time when we face our own challenges. We cannot pretend they are the same, the very nature of them is different, but the challenge we face now means very real hardship for some and reveals true examples of heroism in our community and for that reason I know VE Day and Liberation Day will both be especially poignant this year.”

Conscious of the importance of observing the public health guidelines currently in place because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Bailiff would not ask anyone to raise a flag if this would mean breaching these essential guidelines.

A full programme of Liberation 75 events, which will all be held ‘virtually’, has been announced so Islanders can commemorate the day while observing the public health restrictions. Details can be found here: https://www.liberationday.gg/