Culture and Leisure minister Deputy Mike O’Hara hopes there will be even bigger crowds than usual on Liberation Day to say farewell to 201 Squadron. (Picture by Adrian Miller 0770331)

LIBERATION Day this year will not only mark the end of the island’s Occupation, but will also be a farewell to 201 (Guernsey’s Own) Squadron, which is being disbanded due to defence budget cuts.

As part of the Liberation Day celebrations, 75 members of the squadron will be brought to the island to take part in its Freedom of Guernsey parade, thanks to sponsorship from Condor.

‘2011 is the start of a five-year Liberation celebrations programme leading up to the 70th anniversary in 2015,’ said Culture and Leisure minister Deputy Mike O’Hara.

‘The two words “freedom” and “celebrate” anchor the theme of this year’s celebrations that will have extra resonance and poignancy as Guernsey bids farewell to 201 Squadron, a squadron so rich in history and who have held a much respected and loved position in the hearts of Guernsey men and women for several decades.’

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