Island Hall development continues
Friday 29th April 2011, 9:59AM BST.
WORK on the next phase of the development of the Island Hall is to begin in the autumn.
The original plans for the hall, which has been open for about five years, made provision for a number of units of accommodation and it is this that is now going to be completed.
In a notice outside the hall, the property’s trustees say that they hope to provide ‘hostel-type’ accommodation by the start of next year’s tourist season.
The announcement that work is to start relatively soon will come as a surprise to many Sark residents, because although the notice has been on public display for a couple of weeks at least, its content focuses principally on explaining why the public bar on the premises will soon be a no-smoking zone.
News on the provision of accommodation is all but buried at the end of a lengthy explanation about why the premises were originally exempt from the smoking ban in all publicly-owned buildings introduced some time ago and the reasons for the ban now being introduced.
While many will welcome the work on what will be the final phase within the original building, tagging the announcement of it on to the fag end (pun very much intended) of a notice about a totally different subject is perhaps not the best way of ensuring that it actually reaches the widest of audiences.
But, as I am frequently reminded, Sark is different – a phrase which can be interpreted in many ways, sometimes as an excuse for not doing things in the best way.
While on the subject of notices, news of planning applications to the Development Control Committee – and indeed the DCC’s decisions – is published monthly, along with the advice that plans can be inspected in the committee room.
However, pinned to the Chief Pleas Assembly Room (and Seneschal’s Court) door this week is a notice announcing that while all other plans will be displayed in the usual place, those relating to the development of the Beauregard Hotel and the Dixcart Hotel are displayed separately in the Assembly Room. The notice also contains helpful information regarding the closing date for objections to the plans.
Quite why these two applications merit different treatment to the others before the committee is puzzling. Surely it can’t be anything to do with the fact that they are ultimately owned by the knights of Brecqhou?
As an aside, the application list contains one for a 4ft breach of an earth bank for pedestrian access – in other words, a path. It has been deferred by the committee because it wants the area marked out with higher poles. As one Sarkee suggested to me this week, if there are conseillers on the planning committee who can’t envisage what a 4ft-wide path looks like, then perhaps they should make way for some who can.
*
I missed the traditional Good Friday excuse for getting soaking wet – otherwise known as sailing model boats on the duck pond – because I had to be in Guernsey, but am told that it was the customary enjoyable event.
Likewise, I am sure, was the Easter Egg Hunt at Stocks last Sunday. I saw my young neighbour Ollie de Carteret come home from that event laden with bounty, so I presume he’d had a successful morning.
Having criticised the DCC this week, I will redress the balance by again praising chairman Tony Dunks and his colleagues for holding another public meeting about a new housing occupancy law.
I thought it was another useful exercise and it was pleasing to note a good measure of unanimity among the people who attended. Jaw jaw is always better than war war.
* The email address for comment is fallesark@sark.net.
Island Life
All about Guernsey
Ambassador of the Year 2011
History & Heritage
Visitor Information
Guernsey's government
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Useful Links
Sark is different indeed. This project is long overdue and 5 years of lost rental income is outrageous.
Will the ‘hostel style’ accommodation be rent-free like the hall, the cafe, the pub and the off-licence?
Will customers still enjoy their beer subsidised by Sark tax payers?
Will the overpaid IHMT cleaners eventually wipe the tables and pick-up the carpet of fag ends outside?
Will the accommodation provide rent-free sheltered housing or social housing for Sark’s poor, needy and destitute?
Will this save another green field site?
Will there still be more questions than answers?
Finally, where there’s a WILL there should be a way.
Report abuse
Well done to Sandra and team for trying to cough up for us poor smokers but the fag ends outside are still nasty. Whos job is it to clean up outside?
Still can’t believe she doesn’t pay any rent and now I know why the beer is so cheap at the hall.
Report abuse
Okay! Here’s a suggestion, how about installing a professional metal receptacle aimed at smokers outside and around public areas for smokers to deposit their butts in and put up a notice saying that litterers will be fined.
These receptacles have been installed in just about every public place in dare I say it (Australia) and there has been a great reduction in butts littering the place. Which I would agree is a very thoughtless act by the smoker (I am a smoker but careful with my butts I carry a butt bucket with me at all times)to just chuck it on the ground. Cig. butts take years to break down, but eventually find their way into the ocean, whereby killing sea life that think it is an item of food and ingest it and thus blocking their digestive system. Plastic shopping bags can also be included in this comment.
Report abuse
Margaret Le Page
You mean ashtrays or butt-buckets?
It may surprise you to learn that Sark has actually discovered these.
Technology spreads fast eh!
They might not be the “professional” ones you are referring to but they work well enough.
All those conscious & caring towards their environment need to play a part in shaming those that couldn’t care less. Every time they witness offences taking place. Education & peer pressure work wonders.
Not the brightest idea if the offender has downed a dozen pints though.
If ever a position was made for one individual. Margaret, how about becoming fag butt Lil on Sark?
“S Q U A R K”
Report abuse
“Paul”
What an infantile mind you have!!! to resort to name calling, that display belongs in the Infants School!!!!
Report abuse
…god, any excuse for the entirely absent from Sark (but apparently entitled, nay obliged, to bang on about it’s resident smokers rights incessantly…obviously not enough to do over there…) Margaret, to tell us all what a great conscientious smoker she is…
this debate isn’t about you and your fags, Margaret…and talking of unbecoming behaviour on these message boards, at least Paul doesn’t feel the need to SHOUT every other WORD to get his POINT ACROSS.
Perhaps all that smoke is blocking your ears, but the rest of us can hear you fine, even from all the way OVER THERE.
Report abuse
“Scarlett”
I am soooooooo pleased that you can hear me all the way from over here and also hope that others can including your friend “Paul”. I would also like to point out that I have NOT BEEN DEFENDING THE RIGHTS OF SMOKERS!!!! anywhere in my posts, just pointing out that there are some very thoughtless smokers apparently OVER THERE. As for ever returning to Sark, definitely out of the question, now that I have done quite a LOT of homework on some residents of the Island. You may take whatever inference of that statement in any way you wish. I have wonderful memories of Sark but the current version leaves a LOT TO BE DESIRED!!! So GET ON WITH YOUR ISLAND PARADISE???????????? And the best of AUSSIE LUCK!!!!!
Report abuse
Margaret
What an unpleasant woman you are. I, along with the many I have spoken to, am glad you emigrated to Australia. It is even better to learn you will not be coming back. A small community like ours does not need ranting raving lunatics like you stirring up trouble because they have nothing better to do with their time. I agree with most of what Paul has written on these threads. You have no point to make other than wanting to stir up trouble for trouble sake. Kindly involve yourself with matters that are closer to the place you now call home. Your input is worthless and not welcomed!
If Larky could do the same that would be magic.
Report abuse
@ “A Sark Resident”
Yes indeed I can be extremely unpleasant and it is not the first time or the last that I shall probably be described as Unpleasant.
I too consider that I am very lucky that I shan’t be wasting my time and dollars on a sentimental return trip to Sark.
However if you are happy that Sark is heading in the RIGHT direction that is your perogative. I personally would dispute that.
Again my VERY BEST WISHES go to Seigneur Beaumont, Conseillors, and Chief Pleas.
From the RANTING, RAVING UNPLEASANT, LUNATIC Down Under!!!!!!
Report abuse
Margaret
It was a fine day you left the Bailiwick. Long may they continue. You are a very nasty woman with a venomous tongue. People of your ilk are not encouraged to visit. Sark is doing very well. At long last. No thanks can be attributed to Beaumont for the buoyant economy we are all now enjoying. Most of the other residents completely agree that good things are happening and we are heading in a positive direction. There are very good people that wish for beauty and sustainability. The island has never looked better. The well established establishment fear their every move now. Contradicting themselves with each twist and turn. Now resorting to refusing to answer simple straight forward questions. It is not going unnoticed. That is what elections are for after all. Much respect to Kevin Delaney, Sark Estate Management staff and the knights in shining armour.
Report abuse
This is degenerating into a very unfortunate spat which does neither Sark or its residents any favours.
Report abuse
It is a pity ‘Sark Resident’ that you do not have the courage to use your name. I feel sure that you are a Tenant who has supported those ‘who must not be named’ in one of their High court actions. Have the courage to put yourself forward in the By-election together with your friend Kevin Delaney. Just remember that that the Knights in Shining Armour are not even on the electoral role and conduct their politics through lawyers and the courts!
Report abuse
Tony
I am not obliged to use my name on this forum. It is not a requirement. My voice is still heard as loud and clear. Just like it will be at the next election. The people I speak with are all in similar agreement. A massive shake up is needed. I am enjoying all the many positives the island offers of late. I will not divulge my identity for the paranoid ever weakening administration to cast me out of “the chosen fold” and make my progress as challenging as they can get away with without actually being brave enough to leave themselves accountable for their actions. Those days are well and truly numbered. You may wish for me to tender my identity like a lamb leading itself to slaughter but I have more sense than that. I would rather enjoy the tranquillity and support those that want a better way of life. It is a welcomed change to those few who are desperate to hold on to all they can because they happen to be under the wing of one individual. Even a blind man would say Sark is a much better place thanks to the sterling efforts of the SEM team. With every month of progress I consider myself as being luckier and luckier at how fortunate we all are living in such stunning surroundings. Only the blind man would want to roll the clock back to the days when the island was falling to pieces with little going for it other than the “Sark Lark” with those so busy playing the system mainly concerned about how many signatures they can sign before their wrists start aching on an average day. How busy they were. Far too busy to see what the many others could not help but notice. The infrastructure falling down around them with little to offer anybody other than those busy flogging scribble. I nearly left through lack of opportunity and a broken spirit. I am so glad I stuck it out. I could not be much happier. I am not willingly going to hand out the ability to anybody wishing to ruin that.
Report abuse
Sark Resident
Well said. Those that know better will know only too well you don’t want a special delivery from the midnight postman.
I completely agree with what you have said above. The island is looking awesome. I have noticed a much welcomed refreshing ambience & positive attitude amongst the people.
Visitors happily snapping photographs of the more picturesque developments. Many of which are stunning & a real credit to all who has worked so hard to achieve the first class results.
The island feels special with the new lease of life breathed on it.
I can’t see the negativity lasting much longer. There is far too much positivity around. Like yourself, many others won’t allow a few to ruin a day let alone weeks or months.
Dare you be so forthright to have a differing opinion or speak ill of the unaccountable select few then prepare yourself for the childish wrath. The awkward & ignorant few are a minority. The endless contradictions & secretive nature of their actions adds to the commonly held knowledge of how fearful they are moving forward.
The power is starting to spread equally amongst the people. The next election will see those with tongues tied & delusions of grandeur shown the way.
Accountable figures that want the role in the best interest of the island as a whole will be elected.
The constitution is what needs overhauling. Once that has been achieved everybody can concern themselves with building a prosperous future.
Tony Ventress
Instead of seeking to flush others into the firing line how about spending your time wisely?
There are many more improvements that need to come to fruition.
People are wiser than ever now. Never before have so many taken such an active role in questioning what is going on around them & the consequences of those actions.
Every person I have spoken to gladly appreciates & wishes to accept the kind offer of medevac in a crisis situation. Pig headedness can’t be left to chance so that a fatality is experienced before common sense & change for the better is brought in.
The next election will ensure many positive people will bring in the much needed changes.
My sound advice to you is concentrate on the bigger picture & question the consequences of all put before you.
Report abuse
@”Sark Resident”
Yes indeed, it was a fine day that I left for the big wide world, I can now stand on my own 2 feet and not be bothered by criticism or anything else levelled at me, and I can also be quite transparent in using my name for anything that I may post anywhere, certainly don’t need to use a psuedonym to cower beneath.
Does any of you supposedly BRIGHT SPARKS! over there, posting on the subject of Sark still not accept that the ultimate owner of Sark is Queen Elizabeth 2nd. Leased to Seigneur Beaumont. No matter how much of the Island that you wish to “Slash and Burn” and no matter how many reputations you wish to “Slash and Burn”. There has been an awful lot of effort put into discrediting many on Sark, what is that gaining you??? I doubt very much that it is impressing anyone in Westminster.
The ultimate decision is NOT IN ANY OF YOUR HANDS!
And that dear “Paul” is the BIGGEST AND BEST PICTURE!!!!
Report abuse
I am not one to comment on forums like this usually. I would rather deal with issues face to face over a pot of tea or something a little stronger on occasion. It is a shame this is not something that can be done easily here at the moment. Not without consequences of some description at some later stage. I too think the generous offer of the use of the helicopter in an emergency is the best gesture anybody has ever made for the well being of every individual. I am thankful for that. Every other person I speak to feels the same way. This has been made unconditionally on an as and when needed when basis. With no financial implications at all. Thank you Sir David/Frederick Barclay. How could the administrators face the people after a life is lost as a consequence of their resistance to change? Not that it is much of one. Beaumont has happily allowed Royal visitors and VIPs to land by helicopter in the past. He only disallows it when it could make the difference between life and death for the people he claims to represent. How can that be? He considers us unworthy and not important enough to be granted such concessions. Even when our lives depend on it. It is obvious to everybody it will be just a matter of time before a disaster will see the changes brought in but that could have been avoided had more sense been exercised from the outset. I love the island. I just have issues with the the lack of foresight of a few. I will close by saying I hope common sense leads the way sooner rather than later. Sark is a very beautiful place. Those that have not been before will no doubt return as often as they can manage. I look forward to a positive future and will do my best to hold back from negativity. Nobody enjoys that part of life after all. It is hard at times when people comment on things they know little about. Whilst those that do know are directly affected and can see disasters around the corner. It would be nice for all the bitterness to stop and everybody to start working towards a better future.
Report abuse
@Sark Resident May 18 5.25pm post.
Your 4th sentence sounds just a little omminous to me, maybe I’m being a little over imaganitive here. However long we could debate on the subject, I really do not think we would ever come to an agreement, I have no wish to be negative, far from it! But while Seigneur Beaumont is Fief of Sark, he and the Conseillors and Chief Pleas will have my support. No I don’t live there, that was my choice, but so was it of many people who chose to live there knowing that it was a feudal system of Government???????
Re: use of helicoptor in emergency situation, I suppose saving of life of 1 person in this Western world of recognizing Public Liability is common sense (I have no wish to appear callous here) in fact far from it, but what of the quote ” 1 millon and more of lives destroyed” who had NO KNOWLEDGE of Public Liability in the lifestyle that was imposed on them by the, at that time Belgium regulated country, which divided 2 cultures into higher and lower social classes. This has quite a bearing on many things on my thoughts re: the current situation in Sark. In fact it will be with me for many years to come, yes sometimes ignorance is indeed bliss?
Signed: Squarking Fag-Butt,unpleasant, venomous,ranting, raving, lunatic, LIL OF SARK.
Excellent epitaph for my future headstone please.
Report abuse