This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

ST SAMPSON’S former rector faces a financial claim from the parish after failing to remove his kitchen when he left. If Rev. Jim Sykes (pictured) does not cover the costs, the Church of England has pledged to do so.

The douzaine claims that in May 2004 Mr Sykes signed the minutes of a parish meeting that recorded his pledge to remove the kitchen, installed in an upstairs room, if required, once he left office. But he did not and now the douzaine has removed it so the building can be ready for his replacement. Ratepayers voted by 19 to three to pursue Mr Sykes for the cost of the work at the latest St Sampson’s parish meeting.

During the meeting, Rev. Kevin Northover said that it was rather embarrassing for the dean because he did not hold that position at the time Mr Sykes had been appointed and had nothing to do with the kitchen.

‘If the money wasn’t forthcoming, I hope the dean would agree that we would feel duty-bound as a deanery to help sort this out by covering the costs,’ said Mr Northover.

The douzaine was quoted £1,800 in costs for the removal, but decided to do the work itself. Senior Constable Steve Park told the meeting that he had been in correspondence with the retired rector and had spoken to the Dean of Guernsey, the Very Rev. Paul Mellor.

In a letter to Mr Park, Mr Sykes said leaving the kitchen in place would have had a neutral effect, but the douzaine disagreed.

‘There are a number of choices we could make. One is to calculate the cost and bill the former rector, and if he refuses to pay we should chase him for it,’ said Mr Park.

After being contacted by the Guernsey Press, Mr Sykes said the issue was a matter for the douzaine and the churchwardens.

‘I wrote a letter to the douzaine last February when I left the rectory, saying it was in top order and that it was left as I found it and in a good condition. All curtains and carpets and other fittings were left for my successor. I spent a week cleaning it from top to toe. My contribution was to put the rectory back to the same order – in fact a good deal better – than how I found it in 1998.’

He said that was the agreement between himself, the churchwarden and the parish 10 years ago.

‘If the parish has any further queries they have to go through the dean and I will then discuss it with him and the constables.’