Alex Williams, who served in the Royal Navy, with his father, Deputy Paul Williams, and HMS Cattistock’s commanding officer, Lt Cdr David Morgan. (0614132)

THE Royal Navy experienced some of Sark’s legendary hospitality last weekend – and Sark some of theirs – as the island played host to the officers and crew of HMS Cattistock.

Although the ship’s arrival was delayed because of technical problems, a football match between the crew and Sark was played on Saturday morning, with the island recording a welcome and, by all accounts, deserved win.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a reception on board on Saturday evening given by the commanding officer, Lt Cdr David Morgan, and his fellow officers. Luckily, the sea was reasonably calm because climbing on board – not to mention disembarking – with the aid of ropes and what looked like a makeshift ladder does not now feature that highly on my list of things to repeat in retirement.

However, the wardroom’s hospitality was such that the scheduled departure time of many of the guests was delayed considerably.

But Sark’s hospitality really came into its own on Sunday. Several of the officers and crew attended morning service at St Peter’s Church, but it was later realised that, although many of the ship’s complement had the opportunity of spending time in Sark that evening, the island’s licensing laws decree that pubs cannot open on Sundays.

In stepped the Sark branch of the Royal British Legion, which laid on a hot buffet at the Island Hall and, because the premises also holds a restaurant licence, those who wanted a drink could have one.

In addition, the Royal Navy personnel also enjoyed the other facilities at the hall, including snooker and indoor bowls.

It was a classic example of what that building is about – a place in which members of the island community and guests can enjoy the legendary hospitality of this small place. I have to say that it is just as well that the hall was able to cater for the island’s guests – something it could not have done had the appropriate liquor licence not been held.

I am told that the ship’s company enjoyed the visit so much – those I spoke to said they had never been to a place quite like Sark – that when the vessel is next in the Channel Islands (and September has been mentioned), they want another opportunity to come here.

On a historical note, the present HMS Cattistock is not the first vessel of that name (there have been three in total) to visit the Channel Islands. The second, a Hunt Class escort destroyer, visited in September 1945 – although I have not been able to establish if it came to Sark.

In my view that is all the more reason why the friendship forged last weekend should be maintained.

In future, SEC will split the cost of a unit into two components – fuel costs and fixed costs – so that customers can see for themselves what their money is being used for. Given that the company is given no notice of fuel price increases by its suppliers, it is a sensible move.

Someone described it to me as ‘only a gimmick’. I see it as another string to our tourism industry’s bow.