The festive show WILL go on in Sark

Thursday 16 November 2023

Sark shouldn't be left in the dark after all this Christmas, after a business and community initiative to ensure it keeps its festive glow.

Last week, Sark Electricity Limited announced that it had to stop funding the island's Christmas Lights as it couldn't justify the expense any more.

SEL has always paid for the lights themselves, as well as the power, the manpower in installing them and taking them down. That alone took three workers around three weeks split over December and January.

But yesterday SEL explained that its budgets are being squeezed all the time and as it continues to try and bring down the price of power for Sark residents and businesses it couldn't justify continuing the festive expense.

Instead, it asked for the community to support efforts to ensure the Christmas lights continue to go up and on every year.

"Elsewhere these costs are covered by donations from local business and Government and SEL would fully support such an initiative to be adopted locally."

This rallying call was support by Jax Robin, the St Peter Port who co-ordinates the fundraising for the town Christmas lights in Guernsey every year.

The Sark Chamber of Commerce has also stepped in quickly to add its support and to assure residents and visitors that the Christmas lights will be up on The Avenue this year.

"The Sark Christmas Lights have been the cornerstone of the festive season on the island for a number of years," Chamber said. It also acknowledged the huge financial and practical support that SEL has invested in the lights.

"For many years Sark Electricity Limited has covered the costs and manpower of installation and taking down of all the lights, as well the electricity usage.

"The cost of purchasing new and replacement lights has been covered by the Sark Chamber of Commerce and generous donations from the community.

"This year SEL have advised that they are no longer able to cover the ongoing setup and running costs of the event as costs continue to rise, which we understand.

"The Chamber is fully intending to make the Christmas Lights happen this year, we will need the support of the community and Bailiwick businesses to keep this running as an annual event.

"We are currently working with SEL on costings to work out the best plan of action moving forward."

Yesterday, Sark's Chamber gave an update, saying that they had been overwhelmed with community support and were able to confirm that a switch-on would be going this year.

Among those to show their support with a raffle and bingo fundraiser was the Captains Bar and Bon Marin Café, who raised around £2,400 towards the lights.

"We are extremely excited and delighted by the outcome of yesterday's event," said Chamber.

"What a community effort. What an island we are."

DONATE...

Anyone wishing to mark a donation towards the fund for Sark's Christmas Lights should use the following details, including the reference of 'Christmas Lights'.

Sark Chamber of Commerce
NatWest
Sort Code: 60-09-20
Account Number: 34620788