Remember November!

We have bid farewell to Summer and the fun of October half term has now faded. It’s time for Sark to rest and for residents to reap the benefits of having worked long and hard throughout the Visitor Season. Why not join us? A visit to the island in November or December has more to offer than you may think, including spectacular sunrises and sunsets at a sociable hour!

November marks the beginning of the “off-season” for Sark. A time for quietness, shifting down a gear or two and generally relaxing into a slower rhythm for the rest of Winter. Yes, that’s right, we consider Summer to be fast paced, by Sark standards anyway! It’s all relative after all…

The jolly sounds of Summer have been replaced with Nature’s song. Wind through trees, crashing waves, crunching leaves and pebbles rattling along the shore. The headlands and cliff paths transform with vibrant earthy colours contrasted against a steely blue sea. November sets the scene for the months ahead and it is certainly one of beauty.

From November and into Spring is when you will find the more local events taking place. The sort of gatherings that are organised neither for profit nor exposure but to embrace, support and celebrate the local community. A chance for those who have worked long and hard throughout the Season to let their hair down and have some fun. And boy do we have fun!

It all starts with Bonfire Night, a wholesome and heartwarming affair (quite literally), that culminates in a very impressive firework display for a little place such as Sark! Islanders gather in the dark, the glow of the fire and light from children’s sparklers illuminating the scene just enough but not too much. It’s rustic and raw and jolly, all the right ingredients for a Sark crowd pleaser.

Then begin the famous Sark Jumble Sales that run throughout the Winter. These sales serve multiple purposes within the community, namely raising money for local charities whilst offering up absolute bargains and promoting the reuse or repurposing of second hand items.

Yet the humble jumble sale is more than that on Sark. It is an opportunity for the whole community, spanning all generations, to gather, interact and show support for the various fundraising causes that are so vital to the island.

Other off-season events include celebration galas, annual club dinners, fun days for the elderly, activities for the children, coffee mornings, Sunday carveries, star gazing nights and traditional veilles. Unique to Sark and the Island’s heritage, a veille is an evening of community togetherness. The idea being to while away the dark evening hours by sharing a drink, food or activity around the fire. Sing, knit, play an instrument, recite a poem or story, sit back and sketch or simply be in the company of others. Veilles are welcoming to all.

In short, for anyone interested in seeing a different side to Sark or experiencing the rugged beauty of the island’s landscape outside of Summer, remember November!