The number of visitors arriving on commercial vessels is up slightly on last year – but those bringing their own boats must be taken into account, too. Pictured are yachts and other vessels, including the Manches Iles Marin Marie, at anchor in Derrible Bay on Sark’s east coast. (0822730)

SARK’S ban on personal motorised transport was brought sharply into focus last week when two visitors who had brought electric bicycles with them were given words of advice by the island’s police.

Sark Constable Alan Blyth told me that he happened to be working in the harbour area when he noticed two cyclists setting off up Harbour Hill.

He rang the Vingtenier (also known here as junior Constable), Caragh Couldridge, who later saw the couple and advised them that such vehicles are only permitted in Sark in certain circumstances.

As Alan explained: ‘Local residents are only allowed to use them after the island’s medical officer has provided them with a certificate and basically that rule applies to visitors who want to bring them – they must have a medical condition which justifies their use.’

He went on to say that he had been in touch with Manches Iles and asked them to advise their passengers – I would think the ruling particularly applies to those coming from France – of the restrictions.

While on the subject of boat passengers, I have to say that the arrivals figures announced last week for July seem encouraging, although it may well be a little early to tell if the numbers are translating into what island traders might term ‘holiday spend’.

Despite a comparatively hefty price hike caused by Sark Shipping’s financial difficulties at the end of 2008, coupled with one boat fewer on the inter-island service, passenger numbers from Guernsey for July showed a slight (2%) increase at just a fraction under 9,000 – an average of 290 people for each day of the month.

Apart from this being good business for Sark Shipping and those traders in Sark who provide goods and services for visitors, this also benefits the island’s exchequer because included in each fare is a £1 poll tax which goes directly to the treasurer.

But it was the Manches Iles service from Jersey that showed the biggest increase by almost doubling the July 2008 figure of 1,356 and bringing more than 2,600 people to Sark.

We can only hope that the remainder of the tourist season continues to bring boatloads of happy punters – many of whom will hopefully discover that travelling to this particular corner of the British Isles, as opposed to further afield, makes for just as good a holiday as anywhere else.

Of course, the tourism factor which people like me tend to forget when talking about visitors is that of the ‘yachties’ – those who, principally from Guernsey and Jersey but sometimes from England or France, get here in their own boats.

It’s only when you see a bay full of yachts and other vessels at anchor in Derrible and Dixcart to the east and Grande Greve to the west, not to mention others tied to moorings at Havre Gosselin and Greve de la Ville, that you realise that those on these boats also make a substantial contribution to Sark’s commercial wellbeing.

There is no doubt that many of them spend a good deal of money once ashore and, in common with those who arrive as paying passengers, their presence is always welcome.

A word before I close about Sunday’s horse, small pet and dog show. If the weather’s fine, it’s a nice, uncomplicated day out at which visitors can relax in the sunshine (or the shade), enjoying a tea or a beer with their lunch – whichever takes their fancy.

There’s no telling what animals will be on show – recent years have seen quite a variety – but the guarantee is that the occasion will be enjoyable.

The event is held at the field immediately before La Seigneurie and kicks off at about 11am.

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