Santa lights up Sark

SARK'S Christmas lights were switched on last week – and I have to say that The Avenue looks a picture.

Despite some extremely changeable weather on the Thursday evening, there was a surprisingly good crowd enjoying what – for this small community, at least – marks the start of the festive season.

True to form, the switching-on ceremony was accompanied by a raffle and I doubt that anyone escaped the attention of Kristina Southern and her band of helpers selling tickets. The amount raised and details of to which deserving cause this sum will be heading will be published in the new year.

The lights are usually switched on from the Petite Poule courtyard by Father Christmas and the reigning Miss Sark Carnival Princess jointly pressing down on a giant plunger (the sort of thing seen in films when explosives are being detonated), but this year there were several variations on the traditional theme. What has become known as The Green was the location, Santa Claus and eight-year-old Kiana Chatterton (this year's Miss Sark Carnival Princess) were joined by a remarkably young-looking Mrs Claus and 'the plunger' was nowhere to be seen – the word on the street suggesting that it had somehow been broken.

Instead, master of ceremonies Paul Armorgie led a countdown and this, plus the wave of an invisible magic wand by Father Christmas, produced a set of illuminations along the length and breadth of The Avenue which appeared to me to be at least as good as in previous years.

The lights are organised by the Sark Chamber of Commerce and its president Bob Parsons said that, as always, they were extremely grateful to those who contributed to the annual event.

'Sark Electricity and its staff are always as generous with their labour as they are with the electricity that powers the lights and we are also grateful to the individuals and businesses who make donations towards the maintenance and replacement of lights,' he said.

'Many others contribute in so many ways, but I must make special mention of Kristina Southern. She works so hard and provides so much from La Petite Poule Bistro that I really don't know what we'd do without her.'

There was another notable first this year as, directly after the lights were switched on and Mr and Mrs Santa Claus and their young assistant had distributed gifts to all the children present, the Bel Air Inn held a special disco for the youngsters – an event, I'm told, that was as enjoyable as it was well attended.

It all combined to make a splendid evening for everyone.

Before I close, if anyone is looking for a stocking filler for a youngster either living in or who knows Sark, I recommend a new book – Simmie goes to Sark, written by local author Wendy Hill, which is very nicely illustrated by her daughter Louise and published by Small Island Publishing.

I am taking it to three of my grandchildren (two aged seven and one nine-year-old) this week.

I have a feeling that Simmie could well prove to be as popular as Aurigny's G-Joey.

• The email address for comment is fallesark@sark.net.