Friday 9th May 10:00 am at Cobo Slipway
History
Before the 1939-45 War, there was a flag flying on La Grosse Rocque, a large rock 1 mile off the coast at Cobo Bay.
After the Liberation of Guernsey from occupation on 9th May 1945, Fred Martel decided he wanted to place a flag on La Grosse Rocque again to celebrate the island's liberation.
Henry Guilbert a contemporary of Fred agreed to row him and the flag out and this was done. Henry continued to assist Fred for a few more years, then other fishermen from Cobo, notably Herbie Nichols took out Fred annually to put up a new flag. (The old flag was tattered after 1 year of gales and storms.)
Stone commemorating 60 years of liberation by the slipway used to take the flag out to La Grosse Rocque.
May 9th 2008 - 10:00 am - people gathering at the slipway by Cobo Village Centre for the Blessing of the Flag by Revd. Claes Selim - Vicar of Cobo a high tide and a foggy morning - the Grosse Rocque not visible in the fog.
Revd Selim leads the service with an attendance of about 75 people. Each year a flag is blessed for installation the following year.
The four fishermen leave with the flag and head off for their fishing boat.
In the distance and now aboard the main boat they head off for La Grosse Rocque and disappear into the fog.
Back safely after having raised the flag for another year.
Herbie Nichols with the dedicated flag for next year's
installation on La Grosse Rocque.