SARK LIVING A UNIQUE WAY OF LIFE Information for people wishing to live and/or do business on Sark The Island of Sark Situated in the Bay of St. Malo, Sark is the smallest self-governing island within the Bailiwick of Guernsey, one of the United Kingdom’s Crown Dependencies. It is 7 miles [11 kilometres] east of Guernsey, 14 miles [22½ kilometres] northwest of Jersey and about 20 miles [32 kilometres] from France. Physical size At around 3½ miles [5½ kilometres] long by 1½ miles [2½ kilometres] wide the mainland of Sark consists of two distinct regions, Sark and Little Sark, joined by an isthmus called La Coupée, as well as a number of smaller associated islands, including Brecqhou. Sark is the most fascinating of the Channel Islands, unspoilt by motor cars and without all the noise and bustle of modern day life. Surrounded on all sides by high, scenic cliffs, the top of the Island is a verdant patchwork of fields and tarmac free-roads with tranquil bays and coves to explore at sea level. With no street lighting, after dark a torch is essential when walking or cycling around the island. That is unless it is a clear night with a full moon when the brightness of the moon is almost as bright as daylight and beautiful moon shadows are cast on the roads and pathways. Climate The climate is similar to that of Devon, Cornwall and Brittany. Frosts are infrequent and Sark frequently reports the greatest annual sunshine hours for any place in the British Isles. Average rainfall is 30 to 40 inches [760 to 1020 mm]. Summer weather is very pleasant with light breezes and temperatures in the mid-20’s Celsius. Winter can bring wet and windy storms; however ferry services to/from Sark are only interrupted very occasionally. Population Sark’s resident population is around 500 rising to about 1000 ‘in season’ with seasonal staff and when hotels, guest houses and campsites are open to receive holiday makers, generally between Easter and October. Immigration The only prerequisites for people wishing to live on Sark in respect of nationality, citizenship or religion is that they are either a citizen of the UK or permitted to move to the UK. Further information can be obtained through the Bailiwick Border Agency: https://www.gov.gg/GBA Language Victor Hugo described the Channel Islands as "fragments of France which fell into the sea and were gathered up by England". While Serquaise (a patois, a version of Guernsey French) is rarely spoken and English is the main language of use today there are plenty of signs of the French influence still evident. This influence is apparent in many place names, as well as some of the old family names, it is also used in many official documents. Property All dwellings, whether rented, leased or purchased outright are defined as being either ‘local market’ (one that was built new since 1976) or ‘open market’. In order to reside in a ‘local market’ dwelling, a person needs to be ‘locally qualified’ by having been born on Sark, lived on Sark for at least 15 years or by living as a member of the family of a person who is ‘locally qualified’. There are no restrictions on who may reside in an ‘open market’ dwelling. A more complete explanation of this can be found within the Housing (Control of Occupation) (Sark) Law, 2013. Any new dwelling, or other development on the Island, needs to have written permission from the Development Control Committee before any work may begin. Application forms are available from the Committee Office. Ports The Isle of Sark Shipping Company operates an all year round lifeline passenger and cargo service between Sark and Guernsey. There is a seasonal service between Sark, Jersey and Normandy during the summer months provided by Manche Iles. A number of smaller operators are licenced for 12 & under passengers, on a charter basis, between Sark and Guernsey, a list of licenced vessels can be found on the Sark Government web site. Fares include poll “landing” tax. Privately owned yachts, pleasure craft, dive boats and fishing vessels have the use of Sark’s three harbours. The harbours and moorings are administered by the Harbours & Shipping Committee. Visiting yachts are welcome to use the yellow mooring buoys in either Havre Gosselin or Grève de la Ville, these are provided free of charge, though donations are welcome. Sark has no airport. Under the R095 restriction aircraft and helicopters are not permitted to fly over Sark at an altitude of less than 2374 feet without prior permission from the Guernsey Director of Civil Aviation. This restriction also covers the flying of drones and the necessary regulations and procedure to seek permission to do so can be found on the Sark Government web site. Commerce Sark exports locally caught seafood, and Island reared lamb, pork, and beef as well as hen’s eggs and other agricultural produce. It also exports chocolate, pottery, ale and jewellery which are all produced locally. Tourism probably occupies the greatest number of residents. There are several restaurants, pubs and hotels, as well as guest houses, bed & breakfast and self-catering facilities and two campsites. All financial services/activity on Sark are regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. Currency The island’s currency is the Guernsey Pound, which is tied to the British Pound sterling and both are accepted throughout Sark. The Euro is accepted by a number of places on Sark at the current exchange rate. Day to Day Living & Working. Electricity: 240v mains electricity is supplied to the whole of the Island by a privately owned business, at a rate determined by the independent price control commissioner (currently 54p/kWh). Water: There is no mains water supply on Sark and each household is responsible for its own supply, the choice being catchment, borehole/well, or a combination of both. In the case of those people who are on catchment, in times of low rainfall water deliveries may need to be arranged by the Fire Service (07781 110806 this number is NOT for emergency calls - use 999 instead) The treatment of drinking water, regardless of source, is the responsibility of the individual householder. Sewage: There is no mains sewer system on Sark and each household is responsible for the handling of its own foul water. Pits are emptied by the Island, for which a charge of £18.37 is made for each load removed. This may be arranged by making a phone call to Sark Public Works 07781 104846. Gas: There is no main gas supply on Sark, Bottled gas (Butane and Propane) is supplied by a privately owned business at a rate set by them. Heating Oil: Domestic heating oil is supplied by two privately owned businesses who deliver to customers. Petrol/Diesel: Petrol, for use in outboard motors, lawn mowers and other horticultural equipment is supplied by one retailer. Diesel, for use in tractors and boat engines is supplied by the same retailer. Telephones: Land line telephones and a broadband service are provided by Sure Telecom or JT. Several operators provide mobile phone service to the Island. Post: Guernsey Post provides a sub-Post Office on Sark with full counter services and home deliveries five days a week. Sark is also served by major courier carriers including DHL, FedEx and UPS. Rubbish Collection: Household waste, sorted into glass, tins/cans and burnable refuse is collected on a weekly basis. Other items such as cycles, white goods, and electrical goods are collected by arrangement. An annual charge of £88.80 per person, paid quarterly, is payable for this service with additional charges levied for other items. Shops Sitting approximately central on the Island is the Avenue, this is Sark’s main shopping area. Fresh and frozen food is available from the grocery store ‘The Food Stop’, which features a selection of ‘Waitrose’ lines. The Gallery Stores offer general sundries, housewares, gifts and ironmongery as well as being the Island’s Post Office; it also runs a NatWest Bank counter service. There are also several other outlets on the Avenue including cafés, a cycle hire shop and gift shops selling items such as handmade glass, paintings, jewellery and pottery and an Estate Agency. Around the perimeter of the Avenue are other cycle hire shops, pubs, the Island Hall, restaurants and grocery store ‘Mon Plaisir’ which has a selection of ‘Iceland’ products. Most outlets offer a delivery service for which there may be an additional charge. Community There is a great community spirit on Sark with a full programme of activities and events being held throughout the year. There are many Sark organisations and clubs offering a wide range of activities and interests to suit all. Details of some of these and a full calendar of Island activities can be found on the Sark Tourism website at www.sark.co.uk Annual events generally attract a remarkable influx of day visitors, doubling or quadrupling the resident high season population: e.g. Sark Folk Festival [June] and The Sheep Races [July]. These events are organised to support local charities including the Professor Charles Saint Medical Trust which subsidises prescription charges for Sark residents. Volunteering plays an important part in the lives of people on Sark, be it just to help out with some event or other, or to fulfil a specific role such as a member of the Fire Brigade. It is therefore quite ordinary for people to have a number of roles in addition to their ‘day job’. Television and Radio and Entertainment Terrestrial Digital Television is broadcast from Jersey and Guernsey and consists of the channels available through Freeview.