201 Squadron CO Martin Tucker accepts an anniversary gift from Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland. (0841345)

THE 70th anniversary of Guernsey’s affiliation with 201 Squadron RAF was celebrated at a vin d’honneur at the Royal Court on Saturday.

The States-funded event celebrated not only the anniversary of the affiliation but also the 95th anniversary of the squadron.

Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland presented commanding officer Martin Tucker with a print of the Town waterfront.

‘We are very grateful for the support that we receive from Martin and his team,’ said Sir Geoffrey.

‘This has been a special year which marks the affiliation. The trip here is a very important rest and recuperation time for squadron members who have a stressful job and while they are here they continue to work hard to raise money for Guernsey charities.’

Sir Geoffrey also presented Wing Commander Tucker with a cheque for £500 raised by the Guernsey Supporting 201 Squadron charity, which was formed earlier this year to pay for additional squadron members from RAF Kinloss to come to the island for Battle of Britain Week.

A cheque for a further £50 from the charity was also presented which will go towards a new pole for a Guernsey flag at the squadron’s base.

Wing Commander Tucker thanked Sir Geoffrey and the States for the gift.

The squadron designed and paid for a carpet for the Royal Court as a gift to Guernsey to mark the anniversary, but it has not yet been delivered.