Father Christmas and Miss Sark Princess 2009 Tia Lalor arriving on Michelle Perree’s horse-drawn carriage to switch on Sark’s Christmas lights. (0883663)

THE festive season finally came to Sark shortly after 5pm last Friday when Father Christmas – ably assisted by Miss Sark Princess 2009 Tia Lalor – switched on The Avenue’s Christmas lights.

The ceremony, organised through a Chamber of Commerce sub-committee headed by Kristina Southern – it was held in her courtyard at La Petite Poule Bistro – and David Gordon Brown, was hosted by Island FM’s Carl Ward and Channel Television’s Oscar Puffin (along with his regular companion Jenny Mullins) was an added attraction.

When I say that the festive season has ‘finally’ come to Sark, what I really mean is that unlike some other communities, Christmas decorations don’t appear in the shops here as soon as the last boat on August Bank Holiday Monday has set off for Guernsey.

I am a firm believer in the notion that the shorter the build-up to Christmas, the greater the level of enjoyment – and thankfully most of the businesses in The Avenue concur with that view. That said, whenever I broach the subject with Caroline Langford at the island’s post office, she always assures me that if I actually wanted to buy a Christmas card on August Bank Holiday Monday, she’d be more than happy to sell me one.

The early-evening entertainment kicked off with the children from Sark School choir and some new (to my ears) Christmas songs, which delighted the large and appreciative crowd. They were followed by more traditional carols sung by St Peter’s Church choir and all the while those listening were treated to warm drinks (there was a smattering of alcohol in one given to me) and food, generously provided by La Petite Poule.

That the lights were ready for the traditional switch-on ceremony is a tribute to those involved in putting them up, notably David Gordon Brown’s staff from Sark Electricity (which provides the power free of charge, a significant contribution in a place where electricity is so expensive) and those from Phil Godwin’s building company.

I don’t think I walked along The Avenue on any day last week without seeing either PJ Carre or Simon de Carteret balanced precariously up a tree with one foot on a branch and the other on the rung of a ladder. I doubt very much whether that particular task has ever been carried out in worse weather conditions and no doubt it will be appreciated by all who enjoy the fruits of their labours.

As to the lights themselves, which light up the whole of The Avenue from La Collenette to the Gallery Stores post office, they are absolutely superb – a view that was expressed by everyone to whom I spoke. Many of the illuminations are new, while others are not so new, but all told they provide a very impressive show – certainly well worth a visit for anyone contemplating a few days’ peace and quiet, away from hectic St Peter Port.

Earlier last week a similarly appreciative – although not so large – audience was treated to a performance of what could be termed the Roger Perrot roadshow; the latest in a programme of topical forums organised by the Sark Chamber of Commerce.

The Guernsey lawyer (soon to join the ranks of the retired, apparently) gave an almost identical speech to that he gave a couple of months ago at St James on the issue of constitutional reform.

I have to say that much of what he said about Guernsey’s relationship with Westminster, where the Privy Council seems to do what Justice Minister Jack Straw tells it, struck a chord with many here in Sark, who think Guernsey tries to do much the same to us.

It was a thought-provoking couple of hours and one that perhaps gave the Chief Pleas members present something to think about over the festive season. Far better, I’d have thought, than pontificating publicly and somewhat provocatively about how the Barclay family should or should not spend their money.

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