In 2017, it was announced that Christopher Nightingale was to close his business after 30 years – citing dropping sales and rising costs.
Since then, island hotels and businesses have been serving butter and milk imported from Guernsey – products which residents regard as inferior.
As a result, island officials began a campaign to find a replacement for the then 75-year-old Mr Nightingale, with people as far afield as Cyprus, New Zealand and the USA all coming forward to take on the job. However, it has now been announced that a couple from Suffolk, Jason (49) and Katharine Salisbury (45), who farm Guernsey-breed cows, have been selected as the successful candidates.
Mrs Salisbury told The Times that they saw the story on TV while on a rare holiday in Snowdonia.
‘We have friends who farm in Guernsey and every time we have gone to Sark we had said we would love to run a farm or retire here, she said.
‘When the opportunity came up it felt almost like it was written.’
Christopher Beaumont (62), feudal lord of the island, has put some of his land in trust for the new dairy and plans for the new milking shed have been submitted.
He said: ‘Having a dairy herd helps maintain the pastoral landscape and there are a number of businesses which are crying out for Sark cream and milk, such as the chocolate factory, and almost every establishment offering refreshments would like to offer cream as part of a cream tea.’
It is hoped that the milk will begin being produced from 2021 and the new venture could create jobs for Sark and help grow its economy.
