Age Concern Western Group is held at Sylvans Club in St Peters on Wednesdays, and is led by June Martel. The group celebrated big-time for the 80th Liberation Anniversary and made lifelong memories.
Preparations had started many months before when Megs Bailey came up with the idea of “Make Do and Mend” to make fabric bunting to decorate Town, The Bridge and other areas.
Age Concern Western Group members at Sylvans were happy to volunteer when asked by Megs to help the project by cutting out triangular fabric flags ready for sewing. This turned out to be a great success and community effort by people of all ages and groups, and Megs Bailey was overwhelmed with the support and offers of help which resulted in 14,400 flags being made into bunting. This was truly amazing and beyond all expectations, and Guernsey looked spectacular. The bunting will be kept on display for the whole summer.
Thousands flocked along the route of the cavalcade and into Town itself, with crowds as never seen before. Many of our western members also joined the all-day celebrations out at L’Eree, where the well-known Bourgaize family (members of Age Concern at Sylvans) were honoured to be joined by Princess Anne in an informal group sitting. She was very interested to hear of their personal experiences as children under occupation, being liberated, and the years that followed. John Bourgaize recalls singing Sarnia Cherie on Liberation Day compelling him to learn the harmonica, which he was honoured to play again at the 80th Liberation Anniversary event.
Age Concern members enjoyed a week of celebrations with their own Age Concern Liberation Tea at Sylvans as well as the sponsored Specsavers Liberation Tea at Beau Sejour for those who had either been evacuated, had lived under occupation, or had served in the armed forces. West really is best, and our members will no-doubt remember the 80th Liberation Day Anniversary for many years to come.