From Advocate Philip Sinel.
CORRECTLY viewed, recent events in Sark are, I think, very positive. Sark has both a spiritual and cultural connection with Jersey and indeed the other Channel Islands. They are all, at various levels, linked.

I have made many visits to Sark, much attracted by its tranquillity. I was deeply concerned by the influence on Sark and its people of the Barclay brothers, who I felt brought harm at many levels. I left Sark, after my summer holiday this year, and saw people who were dispirited and frightened. The whole atmosphere in Sark had soured and the Island was no place to visit any more.

While I was there I was privy to a conversation between a Mr Delaney (the Barclay brothers’ overseer for Sark) and a member of his staff. The Barclay brothers’ interests in Sark, which comprised the majority of the hotels, shops and restaurants, had been placed on a central till. My understanding is that it was Mr Delaney’s plan for there to be a central pool of staff and for the island to be run as ‘one hotel’, an idea that was wholly repugnant to the freedom and spirit of islanders anywhere, let alone in Sark.

Sark has now started to slough off the negativity personified by the Barclay brothers. This is necessarily in the short term a somewhat painful process. It will be a delight to see Sark and the Sarkees return to their natural state of happy individuality.

I believe that Jersey will soon turn a similar corner and in its own way move towards a happier, brighter and less rigid future.
79 Bath Street,
St Helier.