Folk Festival creates a strong legacy

But in the intervening years, it not only has brought a wealth of musical talent to the Bailiwick, while providing an outlet for local bands and artists to grow, it has also provided a focus for a welcome input into the Sark economy.

Whether it is the boats, the guest houses and hotels, the campsites, the restaurants or the traders on site, the festival created a welcome boost.

It also quietly raised £25,000 for Sark charities.

The announcement this weekend that the organisers are now looking to refocus on something new, with the festival on hiatus for the foreseeable future, is sad but understandable.

Volunteers give up incalculable hours behind the scenes just to get the three-day event running and the logistical challenges of shifting so much equipment and people to the island add to the headaches involved.

But the folk festival has been worth it all, providing enjoyment to thousands – its popularity demonstrated by the lightning rate at which tickets now sell out.

For Sark, it is something of a question of what comes next to fill this hole in its summer season.

Last year the Sark Summer Festival filled the void when the folk festival took a year out, its own cancellation this year after poor ticket sales indicative that there is only so much appetite in the market.

That event is likely to be back, though.

Sark Folk Festival organisers will now concentrate on holding folk and roots music events around the Bailiwick – something that will provide them with a fresh outlet and music fans something new.

Sometimes it is too easy to fall into a rut of repeating the same trick.

Until then, all eyes are on this year’s event.

Headlined by Kate Rusby, there will be 54 acts playing on the site and around the island in the first week of July.

Everyone involved will hope to say a la perchoine on a high.