Island Life Meet the Locals Sark is a very unique place to live and work, as these locals who all wear many hats will confirm! Here's the low down on island life and all its quirks from those who know it best. Speaker of Chief Pleas Paul I moved to Sark with my family in 1979 when we purchased Stocks Hotel. My wife Jane and I married here at St Peter’s Church and with our 3 children spent many happy years in Sark running the hotel. As well as working at Stocks, I served as Sark Vingtenier and then Constable before standing for election as a Deputy of Chief Pleas in 1999. I remained a Deputy in the old, semi-feudal assembly of Chief Pleas for 9 years. In 2008, I stood in Sark’s first ever democratic elections and served as a Conseiller in the new assembly for 4 years. In 2017 I was elected to the role of Deputy Speaker of Chief Pleas before being elected to the senior position of Speaker from February 2023. All of these jobs and roles have allowed me to be an active member of the community that I care about. Head Teacher Michelle I was lucky enough to take the post of Head of Sark School in September 2022. Being from Guernsey, I have been visiting Sark since childhood and always loved the beauty and community of the island. When the post of Head came up I couldn’t resist applying. ​ Working on the island is an opportunity not to be missed! The seasons and nature play such a massive role in life here, from the dark skies to the animals and flowers on your doorstep. Our small school is like a family. Our pupils are kind, caring and above all happy. The environment is our learning space and what a beautiful one it is! ​ However, working in a small school means you play many roles. Nowhere else would I sit on the local parliament and have a say on policy. The school staff take on all the roles of an academic team, from leading subjects to locking up at the end of the day. It is always a varied day and never a dull moment. ​ Being the only school on Sark means that we also play a very integral and active role in the wider community and local events. This year we have hosted jumble sales, danced around the maypole and helped run a Liberation Day Street party, to name but a few! ​ It is a pleasure to be part of this community and to be trusted with the education of the next generation of Sarkees. Chocolatier Caragh My husband and I came to Sark in 1989 and instantly fell in love with Island life. Being near the sea and part of a community is such a privilege. I was always impressed with the quality of the dairy products so, although trained and working as a nurse, I decided to try making delicious chocolates with Sark cream. It took three years of trial and error but that was 30 years ago and we are still going from strength to strength! Along the way, we had five children. I was a founding member and active participant of Sark Playschool for almost 20 years. Later I trained as a yoga teacher and have taught yoga for the last eight years including enrichment classes at Sark School. ​ When we lost our Dairy in 2019, I joined the Dairy Trust to help fund and build our new dairy. I have also served on Children's Panel, as Constable, First Responder and managed care teams. ​ Not all the hats are work! I swim with the Sark Sea Sirens all winter, run with the Running Club and have a great book club group. Life is never dull here and raising a family was a joy. Constable Budgie Originally from Ireland, I lived and worked in England and Guernsey before moving to Sark with my wife in 2001 to take on the Bel Air Pub. In the early years I joined the volunteer Ambulance crew as I felt this was an essential service and something I could do for “my” island. I later joined the island's government, Chief Pleas, for a couple of years and left the pub life behind to start up an activities company called Adventure Sark, which I am still involved with today. Now I am in the role of Constable and as well as my Sark Police work I also look after an estate which involves building and garden maintenance. This makes life a real balancing act, especially in the Summer but during the winter it is easier and that’s when we do all our police training. Sark is a great place to live and work and explore. People always say "good morning", "hello" and "how are you". It has a real community feeling which I’m sure you won’t find in many places these days. Fireman Kevin Now which ‘hat’ shall I wear today? There goes the pager, so that’s decided it for me! ​ Variety is supposedly the ‘spice of life’. I love all my different jobs. Fire Chief, Prevot (Court Officer), church organist and choir master are the part time jobs, then my day jobs of agriculture, landscape work with diggers, road repairs, crushing stone, machinery repairs, fibreglass repairs of literally anything from tractor mudguards to boats to flat roofs. Even each individual job has variety, take the Fire Service, all the emergencies are different. One thing's for sure, I’ve never been bored! First Responder Sam I grew up on Sark and despite studying and working elsewhere it has always been home. Now I live here with my wife and children. My day job is running a building company but like many Sark residents I wear several hats, including Lead Member of the Island's Emergency Response Team. Myself and the other trained volunteers attend call-outs day and night, using an electric bike to transport the medical kit and be first on the scene for patients in emergency anywhere on the island. I've held many volunteer community positions over the years, including Constable, Conseiller and Sea Fisheries Officer, but being a First Responder and being able to help people when they need it the most feels like the best way for me to give back to my community. Interested in moving to Sark? Visit Sark Government or Sark Estate Agent Sark is a very unique place to live and work, as these locals who all wear many hats will confirm! Here's the low down on Sark Island life and all its quirks from those who know it best. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... SHOPS AND ACTIVITIES FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES OUR EVENTS CALENDAR

< Home La Seigneurie The official Seigneural residence. La Seigneurie house dates from 1675 and has been home to two of Sark’s three Seigneurial families: the Le Pelleys (from 1730) and the Collings (from 1852), the latter being ancestors of the current Seigneur. Over the centuries and under the whims of successive Seigneurs, La Seigneurie evolved into the house we see today. The result is a building of great character, with at least two ways to most rooms and no less than sixteen flights of stairs, excluding those to the tower! Beside the residence there are two stone outbuildings, one of which is called the Chapel, and a dovecot erected by Dame Le Pelley in 1733 to house her pigeons. The Watchtower is Victorian, erected to allow for signalling between Sark and Guernsey.

Our Coast Below the plateau Sark being a plateau island, to reach the shore one must be prepared for a bit of an expedition. Most of the beaches involve a combination of winding paths and sometimes steep steps that must be approached with caution and care. The reward is the luxury of crowdless, litter-free pristine bays with seldom more than a handful of people on them. It's a price worth paying, trust us! ​ From big sandy bays to pebbly coves, enchanting rock pools & turquoise creeks, Sark's beaches and bays are varied & unique. The water is clear and clean and wonderful for sea swimming. Indeed, many islanders swear by year round cold water swimming for health and well-being. Large Tidal Ranges The Channel Islands have some of the largest tidal ranges in the world. On a Spring tide the difference between low and high tide can be as much as 10m, compared to only 2-5m experienced by English coasts. This expansive tidal range exposes a whole new world on the shores of Sark every six hours. Rocky outcrops become large sandy bays, small sea caves become enormous walk through chambers and natural pools appear and disappear as if by magic. No two beach excursions will be the same! Enchanting as the tides are, they can also be dangerous, cutting people off from beach access steps or gushing through caves with currents of up to 10 knots. All visitors are advised to check tide times and familiarise themselves with local information before venturing down to a bay or swimming. Just the right spot Having assessed the tide, the next step in picking the best beach to visit on any given day is to check the weather, in particular the wind direction. One of the most fortunate things about living on a small island is that you can always go to a bay on the lee side and escape the prevailing wind. ​ Sark has bays and swimming spots that encircle the whole island, so there is always a sheltered spot to be found. Use our Beach Guide to help you! BEACH GUIDE TIDE TIMES YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... DARK SKY ISLAND & OBSERVATORY SARK ISLAND FLORA OUR ISLAND WILDLIFE

< Back Dunromin Bedrooms 1 Sleeps 2 B&B / Guest House About My name is Elsie and I would like to welcome you to my home. My family have been on Sark since 1565, one of the original forty founding families. I have a comfortable ensuite twin/double room with WIFI, television and tea/coffee making facilities. The room has its own private entrance onto my beautiful peaceful garden. Your Full English Breakfast will be made using local produce when possible, and will be served in the dining room. Please contact directly for more details. Dunromin can accommodate a total of 2 people, in 1 Double or Twin Room. Terms per Night: £110.00 double room ( Single Occupancy £65.00 per night) Contact elsieg@cwgsy.net +44 (0) 7781 101923 Visit Website Location

< Home Chief Pleas Building The original Boys School. The Chief Pleas building was originally the Boys' School and later became the co-ed Senior School. Today the building houses Sark's court room and Parliament, Chief Pleas, which sat for the first time in 1579, consisting of the Seigneur and the Tenants. Until the 1920s only the Tenants and the Seigneur had a seat in Chief Pleas. Residents appealed to the Lieutenant Governor in Guernsey and finally in 1954 12 People’s Deputies were elected. Sark remained the last feudal state in existence in Europe until 2008 when the Island changed its constitution to form a new democracy.

Visiting Boats With visitor moorings at two locations, Sark welcomes many visiting yachts and motor boats each year. Experiencing the island from the water is a delight. Here's some information to help you prepare. Visitor Moorings at Havre Gosselin Visitor moorings are available in Havre Gosselin on the west coast of the Island. They are marked with yellow buoys and operate on a first come first served basis. A fee of £20 per 24hrs, or part thereof, is payable at the Visitor Centre or through the Sum Up QR code below. ​ Havre Gosselin has landing steps and a ladder for low tide. From Pilcher Monument at the top of the headland it is approx. a 15min walk to the Avenue. The moorings are substantial and are checked annually but visitors use them at their own risk. Visitor Moorings at Gréve de la Ville Visitor moorings are available in Gréve de la Ville on the East coast of the Island. They are marked with yellow buoys and operate on a first come first served basis. A fee of £20 per 24hrs, or part thereof, is payable at the Visitor Centre or through the Sum Up QR code below. ​ Gréve de la Ville has landing steps and beach access at low tide. The path leads to the outskirts of the village and from there is only a 5min walk to the Avenue. The moorings are substantial and are checked annually but visitors use them at their own risk. Pay for your visit or mooring here. Scan the Sum Up QR code and follow instructions to enter your payment amount. Moorings cost £20 per 24hrs, or part thereof. Maseline Harbour Maseline is a commercial harbour, also used for emergency evacuation. Visiting boats are welcome to use Maseline to drop-off or pick-up passengers but only when the jetty is not being used by commercial or emergency vessels. For safety and practical reasons, boats may not tie up or stay alongside the jetty at any time, day or night. Moorings in Maseline are all private but Visitor Moorings can be found around the corner in Gréve de la Ville. Creux Harbour Creux is a working harbour, primarily used by fishing boats and sometimes for commercial or emergency vessels. As such, visiting boats are welcome to moor against the wall but must leave the steps and slip way clear at all times. ​ Creux is a drying harbour. If you are leaving your boat unattended at any time please contact the Harbourmaster. There is no charge to use the toilets at Creux but the showers incur a small charge. Both are located through the tunnel. The Harbour Café is open most days in the S ummer. The moorings outside Creux are all private. Planning to visit Sark by private boat? Get in touch with the Sark Harbourmaster for further information. CONTACT YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... TRAVELLING TO SARK BY SEA SEE & DO AROUND SARK ISLAND HOPPING FROM SARK

< Back Clos Princess Bedrooms 3 Sleeps 5 B&B / Guest House About Clos Princess was built as a family home in 1974. Breakfast is served in the garden on warm sunny days, or the conservatory. Please contact me by e mail for availability or if you prefer a chat, please telephone. Accommodation offered is as follows: Sleeps 5 1 single en suite 1 double/twin en suite 1 double with private bathroom. B&B Terms (per person, per night): From £55.00 to £75.00 Contact lindawilliams@cwgsy.net +44 (0) 1481 832 324 Visit Website Location

< Back La Marguerite Bedrooms 4 Sleeps 8 B&B / Guest House About La Marguerite is a small guesthouse run by Suzette Adams at the very heart of the island. Suzette offers a home from home welcome in her traditional Sark house, which was rebuilt using the original stone in 1998. Accommodation comprises four double/twin-bedded rooms, which overlook Suzette’s award-winning garden. All have tea and coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and colour TV and most importantly, private facilities. La Marguerite is just a stone’s-throw from all amenities on the island being just a few minutes from the top of the Harbour Hill and the closest restaurant is barely a stumble away. Torches are provided for those evenings out, as Sark has no streetlights! La Marguerite can accommodate a total of: 8 people 0 Family Rooms 4 Double or Twin Rooms 0 Single Rooms B&B Terms: (per person, per night) From £65.00 Contact suzette@sercq.com +44 (0) 1481 832 266 Visit Website Location

Southwest Route Starts at Visitor Centre Ends at Visitor Centre Highlights are Historical Sites, and Pilcher Monument. The Route A leisurely stroll with 'monumental' view s! Begin your walk at the Visitor Centre. Follow the main road westward, past the historical buildings of Le Manoir and the Mill . At Vaurocque crossroad go straight through and continue walking, passing Beauregard duck pond . After the pond, follow the road to the left and then to the right after the stone cottage. Follow the road to Pilcher Monument for a rest stop at the picnic tables and to take in the magnificent views. Head back along the same road, this time following the path to the right of the stone cottage. Just past the cottage, turn right and follow the trail southward through fields with sea views. ​ ​ Where the trail meets the main road cross over and go straight down Dixcart Lane , taking a left at Stocks Hotel and passing the Smugglers Bar. Head up through the meadows back to the Visitor Centre. Distance 3 km Incline Fair Approx. Time 1 hour

Art & Language An island muse Sark has long been associated with artists, crafters, eccentrics and bohemians throughout the centuries. From William Turner, who's sketch of La Coupee from circa 1832 now hangs in the Tate, to the many present day artists, writers and photographers who visit the island to be inspired, Sark has been home and muse to many celebrated creative minds. Some of the islands most notable artistic connections include; William Arthur Toplis who visited Sark in 1833 and was so captivated by the island that he never left, producing a wealth of extraordinary paintings and sketches. Victor Hugo, who famously stayed at Dixcart Hotel during his exile in the 1850s, described the island as “a sort of fairy castle, full of wonders” and found here his inspiration for Toilers of the Sea . In later years, Mervyn Peake, renowned novelist, poet and artist, joined the rather bohemian Sark Art Group in the 1930s and spent many formative years living on Sark. So great was his love for Sark that he later returned to live with his young family in the 1950s. ​ In 2011 Sark was the location for the Artists for Nature Foundation 20th Anniversary Project. This saw a group of well renowned writers, artists, musicians and film-makers travel to the island with the aim of recording its beauty and diversity at a time when its way of life and its flora and fauna were under intense pressure of rapid change. "Buon jur! Cume ci'k t 'e?" 'Hello, how are you?' Sercquiais, also known as Sark French, Sertchais, ‘Sark patois’ or Sarkese, is a dialect of Norman French, originally derived from Jèrriais, as modern day Sark was settled & populated by Jersey families in 1565 and influenced by Guernésiais through proximity to the island of Guernsey. There exists very few written examples of Sercquaise, although the earliest recorded is an interesting one; the Parable of the Sower from the Gospel of Matthew , written by linguist Prince Louis Lucien Bonaparte , who visited Sark in 1862 to transcribe samples of insular language varieties. Today, Sercquiais is only spoken by a handful of older generation residents, although it remains ever present in the names of Sark's houses, streets & landmarks. Linguist Martin Neudörfl is currently working with Sark residents and Sark School to help us preserve our endangered language. L isten to Sark School Sing about St. Magloire in Sercquaise. Sark School Sercquaise 00:00 / 02:09 YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... HISTORICAL SITES AND BUILDINGS SARK AND THE WAR YEARS MEET THE SARK LOCALS

FAQs about Sark Browse our FAQs below. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact Us. FAQ Is there a hospital on Sark? No. Sark has a Doctor and Medical Centre for minor surgery services only. In cases of emergency patients are transfered to the nearest hospital in Guernsey. Is Sark part of the NHS? No, Sark is not part of the NHS. However, as of January 2023 the Bailiwick has a Reciprocal Health Arrangement with the UK, allowing necessary healthcare to be provided to UK residents visiting the Bailiwick and vice versa. I have restricted mobility, can I still visit Sark? There are several aspects of travel to and around Sark that visitors with restricted mobility must take into consideration. - Getting on and off the ferry; The Harbour in Sark does not have a ramp, only stairs. If a visitor requires assistance to get on or off the ferry, climb the stairs or walk the short distance from the stairs to the Tractor Bus, this assistance must be pre-arranged through the Visitor Centre at least one week prior to arrival and will incur a charge. - Mobility Scooters; A limited number of mobility scooters are available to pre-book for visitors with a certified medical condition requiring the use of a scooter. There are only 3 scooters available and the application takes time to process so advanced booking is essential. Please contact the Visitor Centre for more information. - Road Surfacing; Sark has no paved roads and visitors must consider this before travel. What happens if I have a medical emergency? In the case of a medical emergency 999 should be called. Depending on the nature of the emergency, the appropriate Sark Emergency Service will be dispatched. This may include Emergency First Responders, Ambulance, the Sark Doctor, Fire Brigade or Constables. If emergency travel to Guernsey is required, St. John's marine ambulance or the RNLI Lifeboat will be called. Who do I contact with a police matter? In an emergency please call 999. For any non-emergency police matter please contact the Constable's Office. T: +44 (0) 1481 832 533 E: constable@sarkgov.co.uk Information can also be found on the Sark Government website or the Sark Police Facebook page. W: sarkgov.co.uk FB: facebook.com/sarkpolice/ Does Sark have an airport? No. Sark does not have an airport. The island can only be reached by boat. Can I travel direct to Sark from outside the Channel Islands? No, unless you are travelling on a private vessel. To reach Sark you must travel via Guernsey or Jersey. Are there Covid 19 travel restrictions in place for Sark? No. At the time of publishing this information there are no Covid 19 related travel restrictions in place. It is advisable to check the Guernsey States and Sark Gov websites before you travel for further information relating to Covid and travel. Can I travel to Sark on a private boat? Yes. Private boats may drop-off and pick-up using any of the island's harbours or they may moor up using the visitor moorings located at Havre Gosselin and Greve de la Ville. Visitor moorings cost £15 per day, or part thereof, payable at the Visitor Centre. Please be aware that Sark does not have a marina. How do I withdraw money on Sark? Sark has an HSBC Bank branch where you can withdraw money. There are no ATMs on Sark. The Sark Post Office offers NatWest banking services and Bureau de Change. Food Stop grocery store offer Cash Back for transactions over £5. Can I pay by card for services on Sark? Yes. Most establishments take card payments, except for the Tractor Bus service up and down Harbour Hill and the Horse and Carriage tours, which only take cash. It is advisable to check that card payments are accepted before making a purchase. Can I use Euros on Sark? No. Euros are not accepted on Sark. The Island currency is the British Pound (GBP). There is a Bureau de Change at the Sark Post Office. Does Amazon deliver to Sark? Yes. Most Amazon orders are deliverable to Sark, although next day delivery does not apply.

S ark & The War Years Occupation & Liberation Sark was occupied, along with the other Channel Islands, during WWII. The German soldiers arrived on 3rd July, 1940 and remained on the island for nearly 5 years. During that time Dame Sybil, the island's Seigneur, famously kept the soldiers in check and protected her subjects by using her greatest strengths to her advantage: feudal etiquette and good old fashioned class. ​ “You do not appear to be in the least afraid,” one officer said. Without hesitation, Dame Sibyl replied, “Is there any reason why I should be afraid of German officers?” ​ Having a leader who spoke German, as well as French and English, was another great advantage for the people of Sark. Dame Sybil was able to communicate and negotiate better treatment for local residents and convinced the majority of them to stay on Sark during the occupation. This proved to be a saving grace for the island, as mass evacuations on other islands devastated their communities. ​ “I am not promising you that it will be easy,” she told them. “We may be hungry but we will always have our cattle and crops, our gardens, a few pigs, our sheep and rabbits.” Whilst Europe was liberated on 8th May 1945 & Guernsey the following day, Sark was not liberated until 10th May. As Channel Island members of Liberation Route Europe , there are vectors to follow, where you can walk in the footsteps of the allied forces who arrived to liberate the island. ​ “Would you mind being left for a few days, or would you prefer to go to Guernsey with me?”, asked Lieutenant Colonel K. Allen. “As I have been left for nearly five years,” she said, “I can stand a few more days.”, replied Dame Sybil. READ MORE Listen to accounts of the Commando R aids that changed the course of history during WW2. Read by Reg Guille Operation Hardtack 7 00:00 / 01:04 Basalt 00:00 / 05:01 YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... HISTORICAL SITES AND BUILDINGS SEIGNEURS AND FEUDALISM MEET THE SARK LOCALS