Racing in the rain
SARK'S annual Sheep Race organisers were left ruefully counting the cost of the old saying, 'what a difference a day makes', after last weekend's weather.
SARK'S annual Sheep Race organisers were left ruefully counting the cost of the old saying, 'what a difference a day makes', after last weekend's weather.
Saturday's bright sunshine brought hundreds over for this extremely popular event. But, in stark contrast, on Sunday just four day-trippers braved the very prudent warning from Sark Shipping that a return boat that afternoon was by no means certain.
That meant that not only did Sunday's 'Ascot' meeting lose out on the probable hundreds who would have come for the day, but also those staying for the weekend and intending to return to Guernsey on Sunday afternoon. They were advised to take the morning boat home to guarantee turning up for work on time on Monday morning.
The result was that the charity in aid of which the two-day event is always held – the Professor Saint Fund, which exists to subsidise the cost of prescribed medication to Sark residents – did not make as much money as might have been the case.
However, a community in which so many livelihoods in the tourism industry are almost entirely at the mercy of the elements is used to such things and most of the people I spoke to on Sunday were their customary philosophical selves.
Indeed, when I spoke to committee member Rossford de Carteret he simply shrugged his shoulders, said there was nothing that could be done about it and strode off to urge event compere Trevor Kendall to try to drum up a bit more support for 'Dodgy' Dave Cocksedge's betting tent.
But, as I said, all that was in stark contrast to Saturday, when that same Mr Kendall – like everyone else, I have to be nice about him because he is the island's tax assessor – used all the charm for which he is renowned to persuade 26-year-old Ellen Whitmore from Guernsey, who is due to get married on 29 August, to run a special race over the sheep race course along with those friends enjoying her hen weekend with her.
There was also an unexpected boost to the charity's funds on Saturday when a representative from Randall's was persuaded to part with a cheque for £600 – a generous gesture much appreciated by the event's organisers and those residents who benefit from the Professor Saint Fund.
In addition, the casino night held on Saturday evening raised a fraction under £1,200 – a great result and, by all accounts, a great evening's fun and entertainment.
A lot of people were involved in organising that and the two days of outdoor activities, some of them for many weeks ahead of the weekend, and all those island residents who benefit from the Professor Saint Fund are indebted to them for their tremendous efforts. It's just a shame about Sunday's weather.
Last weekend also saw the distribution of the latest edition of the Brecqhou publication, the Sark News.
Yet again it contained details of what is purported by its author(s) to be the Sark Lark.
I have no idea if the allegations and inferences it contained are true and, quite frankly, care even less. What I do say is that it seems to me to be alienating far more people than it gets on side, so to speak and, sticking my head above the parapet and shedding the 'fearfulness' those same authors erroneously claim I suffer from, might I suggest that if they do have information suggesting impropriety then it would be far better for them to inform the appropriate regulatory authority – in this case the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
That body, rather than the publication's readers, is best placed to take action.
