LIBERATION DAY celebrations are set to continue for the foreseeable future and will evolve to ensure islanders get want they want. Organising committee chairman Mike O’Hara has welcomed the findings of an online poll which showed almost 80% support for continuing the celebrations and suggested ways to improve them.

‘It is very encouraging and the consensus that we should keep celebrating is reflected in feedback from our own survey and wind-up meetings. Now it is a matter of giving the people what they want.’

The survey was an in-house commission by Island Opinion. Deputy O’Hara said it was very well put together but also highlighted its limitations.

It could not be not accepted as completely representative of the entire population as the number and demographic spread of the respondents was not clear.

But nonetheless its findings and suggestions were very much in line with his committee’s way of thinking and it intends to take into consideration everything that was brought up.

There was unanimous support for keeping the celebrations in Town.

‘This is very encouraging as it is where they belong – it is the focal point of the island.’

Deputy O’Hara said further public consultation would play a vital role in shaping the celebrations of the future.

Almost 70% of the sample thought Liberation Day could be organised better.

‘I find this disappointing as it reflects badly on me and the committee, but if people think we could do better we want to know how.’

Island Opinion coordinator Hannah Hayward said: ‘We are very pleased with the survey results, which we received in just a week of posting it online.

‘It’s part of our drive in hosting these topical surveys more often.’

She said its member base closely mirrored the census demographic in terms of age, gender and location.

‘Each survey is carried out in accordance with strict ethical guidelines and is closely representative of the local demographics. Island Opinion gives a rich and accurate picture of people’s views on a range of topics in the Channel Islands’.

Deputy O’Hara hopes the funfair will remain a regular feature despite 67% of respondents not thinking it was a positive activity.

‘We have had a wide opinion on this. Children and younger families want it but those a little older are not bothered either way,’ he said.

‘It mostly caters for youngsters and they are the next generation so it is important that they are provided for. For some it would be the only chance they get to see a fairground.’

He said while the funfair had critics, there were far more advantages than disadvantages to it.

‘I will be disappointed for the youngsters if it does not come back, but it is currently under consultation and the final decision will be part of the comprehensive plans for next year’s event, announced in mid July.’

More than half the respondents stayed in Town only between noon and 5pm. This is what the committee had expected and the day’s events were planned accordingly.

Almost three quarters thought Liberation Day should be purely about Guernsey history and independence.

Deputy O’Hara felt this was a little ambiguous.

It could be read that those respondents wanted there to be purely memorial events and no festivities, or simply that they thought people were forgetting the true meaning of the day.

Nonetheless he thought it was about the right spilt.

‘To me it shows that 75% want to talk about the Liberation and the remainder want to have some fun as well and that is what I think we achieved with the day’s celebrations.’

Only 3% thought there was a need for more food stalls and 1% wanted alcohol vendors.

‘I am surprised that there were not more calls for extra food but it could also be read that people were happy with what we provided. Understandably, I am happy that very few want more bars.’

He welcomed the fact that more than a third wanted to see more street entertainment and traditional market stalls, claiming they were a great part of the day’s atmosphere.