0:00:34 > 0:00:37Just off the French coast of Normandy lies the beautiful
0:00:37 > 0:00:39island of Sark.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44The smallest of the four main Channel Islands, and without doubt,
0:00:44 > 0:00:48one of the most unusual places to be found on our shores.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54The island is renowned for its legendary peace and tranquillity,
0:00:54 > 0:00:57making it a perfect hideaway for visitors
0:00:57 > 0:00:58keen to get away from it all.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02But, for the hardworking islanders, there's little time to enjoy
0:01:02 > 0:01:04the warm weather.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07It's business as usual.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09SAWING
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Over the past few months, up at the Food Stop supermarket, owners
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Julie and Nicky have been struggling
0:01:15 > 0:01:18with a lack of storage space for all their stock.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22It's just our spare room, but nobody could stay in it.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26There is a grand piano behind that heap, but you can't really see it!
0:01:26 > 0:01:28And I certainly can't get to play it.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30SHE LAUGHS
0:01:31 > 0:01:35But now, after a makeover, the once-small shop has been
0:01:35 > 0:01:38transformed into a hypermarket by comparison.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41'For Julie, it's a big improvement.'
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Has it made a big difference?
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Yes, yes, we needed the space.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50Well, we've been able to put the cereals not all
0:01:50 > 0:01:53perched on top of each other...
0:01:53 > 0:01:58and the pet food spread out, instead of on two little, tiddly shelves.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Somewhere to put the trolleys inside, instead of out in the garden.
0:02:02 > 0:02:07'And the piece de resistance - an all-new electric door.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09'A first for Sark.'
0:02:09 > 0:02:11This is our favourite.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18So, you're happy?
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Oh, yes. Yes.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24'But has the extra shelf space made a difference?'
0:02:24 > 0:02:27So, last time I was here, the plan was to try
0:02:27 > 0:02:30and get rid of this stuff in the house, how we doing?
0:02:30 > 0:02:31Well, we've got rid of a lot of it,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33but we've replaced it with a lot more.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Julie, oh, no - I don't believe it!
0:02:37 > 0:02:38See, we're a bit full-up.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Oh, blimey!
0:02:40 > 0:02:43We've had a lot of pallets of stuff in, though, since you filmed.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47I think there's 188 cases of cat food we had on Tuesday.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52We've had all that cereal in, we've had a lot more drinks in.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56The toilet rolls are going down, they're not on the ceiling now.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58We can't get out that way, we're hemmed in!
0:02:58 > 0:02:59SHE LAUGHS
0:03:01 > 0:03:04'Julie's known on the island for her impish sense of humour.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08'All the new shelf space has given her an opportunity to stock
0:03:08 > 0:03:11'some of her own, somewhat unusual, lines.'
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Customers that don't know what they want, we have Inspiration.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21Laughter, take it 50 times a day.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Best medicine!
0:03:25 > 0:03:28SHE LAUGHS
0:03:28 > 0:03:32Julie's special medicine seems to be having an effect across
0:03:32 > 0:03:33the rest of the island.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37At last, after the slow start to the season, the good weather
0:03:37 > 0:03:38has lifted everyone's spirits.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42'Not least, the island window cleaner.'
0:03:42 > 0:03:44I bet that's a full-time job, isn't it, with the dust?
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Yeah, it's like the Forth Bridge, innit?
0:03:46 > 0:03:48HE LAUGHS
0:03:49 > 0:03:50You can start at one end, and then
0:03:50 > 0:03:53when you get to this end you can start all over again,
0:03:53 > 0:03:55cos the dust just keeps blowing it all back again.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Never mind, it keeps you busy.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59HE LAUGHS
0:03:59 > 0:04:01And what are you called?
0:04:01 > 0:04:02- Scotty.- Scotty?- Yeah.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04So you're known as "Scotty The Window Cleaner"?
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Yeah... and a lot of things in-between!
0:04:07 > 0:04:09HE LAUGHS
0:04:12 > 0:04:15'Scotty's efforts to keep everything looking shipshape are being
0:04:15 > 0:04:17'repeated across the island in preparation for some very
0:04:17 > 0:04:21'special visitors who are due here in a day's time.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25'The man in charge of making sure all the Is are dotted and the
0:04:25 > 0:04:30'Ts are crossed is the island's crane driver and deputy judge,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32'Jeremy La Trobe-Bateman.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35'He's a tad nervous about his responsibilities.'
0:04:35 > 0:04:40Field, poles - those poles have got to come down.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45Display tables in the hall need to be sorted out. That's done.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48I see the flags have gone up, so it's a start.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50So on your list, a few things still to do?
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Not really on MY list.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Hopefully, this is on other people's list.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58'In less than 24 hours, Sark's expecting none other
0:04:58 > 0:05:01'than his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and his wife
0:05:01 > 0:05:03'the Duchess of Cornwall.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07'But in fact, Royal visits are not a novelty on Sark.'
0:05:07 > 0:05:10You have a, a great affection in Sark for the royals don't you?
0:05:10 > 0:05:16We do. We're very strongly royalist over here.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18And I think they respond to that.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Hey, they all come... one after the other...
0:05:21 > 0:05:24every few years, and we've had
0:05:24 > 0:05:29Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and the Queen,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31of course, and the Queen Mother, I think,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33came three or four times to Sark.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35So are you excited?
0:05:35 > 0:05:36Yeah, I am, yeah.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40It doesn't happen very often, does it, that you get to meet
0:05:40 > 0:05:42the future king of England?
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Barbecue clean-up here.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Cigarette ends, that's probably got to be all cleared away,
0:05:50 > 0:05:52but I'm sure somebody's on the case.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57'And it's not just Jeremy who's been kept very busy by the Prince's
0:05:57 > 0:05:59'upcoming visit.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03'Also on Royal duty is the island's very own jovial police constable,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06'Joanne Godwin.'
0:06:06 > 0:06:08So, effectively, this is your police car?
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- This is my police car! - SHE LAUGHS
0:06:11 > 0:06:13But it doesn't have a blue light on it, though?
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Oh, no!
0:06:16 > 0:06:19'The royal visit is being organised with military precision,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21'and nothing is left to chance.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25'And it's Joanne's job to make sure that, on the day,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28'all the island's official flags are flying according to protocol.'
0:06:32 > 0:06:34We have, up here, "How to fly a Union Flag correctly."
0:06:34 > 0:06:36How can you tell if it's upside down!
0:06:36 > 0:06:38SHE LAUGHS
0:06:38 > 0:06:42All the ex-constables are very good at telling you how to fly a flag!
0:06:42 > 0:06:46It needs to have...the broad white stripe at the top needs
0:06:46 > 0:06:47to be against the pole.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54Luckily, someone has very kindly written on this one "T" for "top"!
0:06:57 > 0:07:01'Ahead are a momentous few days for the islanders of Sark.'
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Poppy, come here! Here, here, here, Pops!
0:07:04 > 0:07:06HE WHISTLES AND SHEEP BLEAT
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Not only are they to be graced by a royal visit,
0:07:09 > 0:07:11but the very next day, they'll be holding
0:07:11 > 0:07:15the most bizarre event in the island's entire social calendar.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Here, Poppy! Oh, dear.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20The Sark annual sheep race.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Stay there, stay there!
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Over on what must be one of the most idyllic sheep farms to be
0:07:25 > 0:07:27found anywhere on the planet, shepherd David Scott
0:07:27 > 0:07:30has spent months preparing for it.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Right.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37David takes great pride in making sure his sheep are at their
0:07:37 > 0:07:38peak for the racing.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43Firstly, their coat must be just the right length, so he sheared them,
0:07:43 > 0:07:44prior to the big day.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48Then it's important that their toenails are not too long.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57And finally, to finish them off nicely, something that's
0:07:57 > 0:07:59known in the trade as "dagging".
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Basically, it's a sheep's bikini line.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09They might not thank me at the time of dagging them,
0:08:09 > 0:08:12but I think they'll thank me when they run out in the field,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15cos you usually see 'em hopping and skipping, cos with some of them
0:08:15 > 0:08:19it's quite an extra weight off their...behinds.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21Next, please!
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Now, it's easy to think that the annual sheep race is all just
0:08:24 > 0:08:27a bit of fun, but actually, it's a key component of something
0:08:27 > 0:08:31that's vital to the island community.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35It's one of a number of charity fundraising events organised
0:08:35 > 0:08:37by the Sark Carnival Committee
0:08:37 > 0:08:40that raises money for the island's medical fund,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43and the chairman of the committee is Puffin Taylor.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Sark has no health service at all.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49We have to pay for all our medicines, all our treatments
0:08:49 > 0:08:51and everything, so it's quite expensive,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54particularly for the youngsters and the older people, or people that are
0:08:54 > 0:08:57chronically sick, so the Professor Saint Fund exists,
0:08:57 > 0:09:02started by a guy called Professor Saint, many, many moons ago,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04to subsidise medicines.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06So, when you collect your medicine from the doctor here,
0:09:06 > 0:09:11it'll have the standard charge of £5, and you either pay the £5,
0:09:11 > 0:09:15if that's what you can afford, or, if you feel you're able, you pay
0:09:15 > 0:09:18for the full cost of the medicine... and the system works quite well.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23Now, the Sark Carnival Committee is particularly important,
0:09:23 > 0:09:27cos we raise funds for this particular medical charity.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29I've brought the samples we've talked about.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32I thought you said you'd bring the sandwiches.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- I thought that were good.- No, no!
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Over the last few months, the Committee's been busy planning
0:09:38 > 0:09:40this year's fundraising,
0:09:40 > 0:09:42but with ever-increasing private medical costs,
0:09:42 > 0:09:45it means they'll have to raise a record amount
0:09:45 > 0:09:46at the sheep race this year.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51So Puffin's hatched a plan to capitalise on the Royal visit, too.
0:09:51 > 0:09:52We've got a Royal visit coming up.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55We've got Camilla and Charles coming...
0:09:55 > 0:09:58which brings me to the mugs.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59What do you think?
0:09:59 > 0:10:02'Puffin wants to sell mugs to commemorate the Royal visit,
0:10:02 > 0:10:07'and to promote her cause, she's planning a publicity stunt.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09'If she can position herself at the front of the crowds,
0:10:09 > 0:10:14'she might be able to thrust a Royal mug into Prince Charles' hand.'
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Don't start laughing, it's not one of my wilder ideas.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19THEY LAUGH
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Across the island, up at the Methodist chapel, lay minister
0:10:26 > 0:10:30Karen Le Mouton is getting ready for a morning's work.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33I know you don't like going in the bag.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37Karen's ministry is here on Sark, but her husband Steve and the
0:10:37 > 0:10:40family home is on the neighbouring island of Jersey,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43although she only gets to go home every fortnight.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- Morning!- Morning.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Good morning, everyone.
0:10:48 > 0:10:49ALL: Good morning, Karen.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Last time I was here, I said I was going to bring a friend
0:10:52 > 0:10:53in to meet you.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Are you going to say hello?
0:10:57 > 0:10:59You've been practising your royal wave, haven't you,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02so why don't you give them a royal wave?
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Since her arrival on the island nearly two years ago,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Karen has strived to become a keen member of the community.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Sometimes bad things happen, sometimes happy things happen,
0:11:14 > 0:11:19but the one wonderful thing is, that God is with us through everything.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24And the work she's done has come to the attention of her boss.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27ANSWERING MACHINE: Hello, Karen, it's Leo Osborn here. I wonder
0:11:27 > 0:11:29if you could give me a ring when you have a minute?
0:11:29 > 0:11:32I'd like to discuss your future.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36It's a call that will shortly change her life.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48The day of the Royal visit is finally here, and the whole island
0:11:48 > 0:11:50is excitedly preparing for the imminent arrival
0:11:50 > 0:11:54of His Royal Highness Prince Charles and the Duchess Of Cornwall.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Let's imagine you're going to be on this end, OK?
0:11:57 > 0:12:00So let's have you two there.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04Two island schoolchildren, Tia and Yasmine, will be among the first
0:12:04 > 0:12:06to welcome the royal party.
0:12:06 > 0:12:11'Head teacher Sarah Cottle is making sure nothing is left to chance.'
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Just rehearsing for the presentation of the flowers
0:12:14 > 0:12:17and the chocolates to Prince Charles and the Duchess Of Cornwall.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20So, you're going to hand them over, that's the important bit,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23hand them over and she might have a little word with you, and then
0:12:23 > 0:12:26you're going to step forward, get your head up, give him a big smile.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Oh, that is so nice, and he'll say, "Thank you very much".
0:12:29 > 0:12:31You must feel very proud.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33I do, I do. This is my second Royal visit.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Oh, dear, you see, you're so blase.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Well, I'm not, you see. I still get very excited.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41The first time, when Prince Edward came with Sophie, I was amazed,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44because the children said, "Oh, we've seen Princess Anne,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46"and we've seen Prince Charles and we've seen Prince Andrew",
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- cos did he come and open the school, Prince Andrew?- Yeah.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52I think he opened the school, so, yes, they're much more blase
0:12:52 > 0:12:53than I am, but, no,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56it'll be an exciting morning, we're looking forward to it.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Lovely way to end the term.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01The Royal party will be flying in by helicopter,
0:13:01 > 0:13:04so the landing area has to be thoroughly checked.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Performing this vital duty is church organist and head of the
0:13:08 > 0:13:11island's volunteer fire service, Kevin Adams.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15We're doing something that's called "FOD",
0:13:15 > 0:13:17which is "foreign objects and debris",
0:13:17 > 0:13:19so we're just checking the field, because, obviously,
0:13:19 > 0:13:23when the helicopter comes in to land, the rotors
0:13:23 > 0:13:26will have 60, 70 mile an hour of wind around, so it just plays havoc
0:13:26 > 0:13:30with everything, so... just checking, make sure it's all clear.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34Bits like that, bits of string, just found that on the side...
0:13:34 > 0:13:37and I guess, obviously, if it was travelling at any speed,
0:13:37 > 0:13:42it would hurt somebody, or get sucked into the engine, maybe.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48'There's just one thing left to do.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51'To hoist the union flag outside the island's courthouse to welcome
0:13:51 > 0:13:54'the Royal party, due any minute now.'
0:13:54 > 0:13:57You must be a flag-raising expert, Joanne, are you?
0:13:57 > 0:14:00No, definitely not! SHE LAUGHS
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Right, what's happened here?
0:14:05 > 0:14:08I might have to call in an expert for this!
0:14:08 > 0:14:11SHE LAUGHS
0:14:11 > 0:14:12No, seriously!
0:14:19 > 0:14:20A big crowd has turned out,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23hoping for a glimpse of Charles and Camilla.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27In prime spot, and ready to pounce, is chair of the Carnival Committee,
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Puffin Taylor, brandishing her Royal merchandise.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34It will be a big boost to the medical fund if she can get
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Prince Charles interested in her mugs.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40It's Charles and Camilla, riding sheep, and are being
0:14:40 > 0:14:44bucked off as they round up corgis, so I'm going to stand with
0:14:44 > 0:14:47a friend with a flag and we're going to wave it, so that it attracts
0:14:47 > 0:14:50their attention, and hopefully we'll be able to give them a mug.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54I don't rate my chances, really. Lots of children about,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56lots of flags and things like that, so we'll see.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58ROTOR BLADES BUZZ
0:15:07 > 0:15:09CLAPPING
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Commemorative mug! Commemorative mug, Sir!
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Commemorative mug!
0:15:18 > 0:15:21You never know, we might get him, we'll give it to him yet.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23CLAPPING
0:15:23 > 0:15:28The flowers and chocolates are successfully placed in Royal hands.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Whereabouts are they going?
0:15:33 > 0:15:37But despite Puffin's best efforts to woo the Royals, her cries
0:15:37 > 0:15:39have fallen on deaf ears.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44The busy Royal schedule has scuppered Puffin's plans.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48At this rate, her mugs will end up back in the box.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51But Puffin hasn't given up yet.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Next on the itinerary for Prince Charles and Camilla, is a tour
0:15:53 > 0:15:57around the Seigneurie, Sark's equivalent of Buckingham Palace,
0:15:57 > 0:16:01and traditionally, the seat of the island's head of state.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Sark's history has been shaped by a very close relationship
0:16:04 > 0:16:07with the crown.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09In 1565,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Queen Elizabeth I gifted the island to a feudal lord
0:16:12 > 0:16:15on condition that the island was always protected
0:16:15 > 0:16:16from French invasion.
0:16:16 > 0:16:1940 families came and settled here.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22'Today, there are descendents of those early Elizabethan families
0:16:22 > 0:16:26'still living on Sark, one of whom is church organist and chief
0:16:26 > 0:16:29'of the island fire service, Kevin Adams.'
0:16:29 > 0:16:32So, Kevin, this is land that you were brought up on as a boy?
0:16:32 > 0:16:33Yes, very much so.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38It's been in our family back down the years, right since 1565.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43It's been home for 450, 460 years...
0:16:43 > 0:16:48and my gran was born in the farmhouse that's on this land,
0:16:48 > 0:16:50and she died in it...
0:16:50 > 0:16:53and she only went to England three times in her life,
0:16:53 > 0:16:55and every time, she went to Buckingham Palace.
0:16:55 > 0:16:56HE LAUGHS
0:17:01 > 0:17:05'Now it's Kevin's proud moment to meet the royals.'
0:17:13 > 0:17:17Puffin has only got minutes left before the Royals bid their
0:17:17 > 0:17:18farewells and fly off.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Excuse me?
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- It's now do or die.- Excuse me?
0:17:24 > 0:17:27I hope you're taking part in the Sheep Race?
0:17:27 > 0:17:30And look.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- Good morning.- Good morning.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35My goodness me, look at these.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38"Sark Royal visit."
0:17:38 > 0:17:39- Oh, look.- It's you, Sir!
0:17:39 > 0:17:41HE LAUGHS
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- Very cunning of you.- Oh, sheep...
0:17:44 > 0:17:46You've probably got enough mugs.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50It's here tomorrow.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Oh, that's something I've really wanted to take part in!
0:17:52 > 0:17:54Sorry we missed that.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Puffin's mugs get the Royal thumbs up...
0:17:57 > 0:17:58Gone all of a quiver now.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01..which is a great start for the Carnival Committee's
0:18:01 > 0:18:02fundraising effort.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05I gave one to Prince Charles and one to her Royal Highness,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07and as he picked it up, he said, "Oh, this is fun."
0:18:07 > 0:18:09I said, "It's you, Sir"!
0:18:09 > 0:18:11And he said, "Oh, it is."
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- SHE LAUGHS - And he did laugh, fortunately...
0:18:14 > 0:18:18and so, I think they were quite amused by them, so that was great.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Yeah, it was brilliant.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Had a nice, well, had a lovely chat with them, actually.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Prince Charles said, "Thank you very much for turning out",
0:18:27 > 0:18:29and, cos we're volunteers, and I said, "Yeah,
0:18:29 > 0:18:33"well, lovely to be here and lovely to see you",
0:18:33 > 0:18:34and the Duchess Of Cornwall,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37I asked her if she'd enjoyed the Channel Islands and Sark,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40and she said, "Need to come for a bit longer, for a holiday".
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Buoyant from the success of the Royal visit, the islanders
0:18:49 > 0:18:51wait to face the next big event.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Big day, Persil.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58'Shepherd David Scott, followed by his constant companion,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01'pet sheep, Persil, is collecting his racing sheep.'
0:19:03 > 0:19:06Hello, girlies, you ready, ready for action?
0:19:06 > 0:19:08They're very keen, aren't they?
0:19:08 > 0:19:10They look keen don't they? Yeah, yeah.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Come on, Pers!
0:19:17 > 0:19:19'He's about to find out if the months of training
0:19:19 > 0:19:21'are going to pay off.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24'It's the big day of the Sark annual Sheep Race.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31'And everyone on the island is getting into the spirit,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34'including the staff at the Food Stop supermarket.'
0:19:36 > 0:19:38THEY LAUGH
0:19:38 > 0:19:41The outfits are amazing! How do you feel?
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Like a cross between a concubine and Jemima Puddle-Duck.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46SHE LAUGHS
0:19:46 > 0:19:49It's quite uncomfortable, it's cutting off
0:19:49 > 0:19:52the circulation on the neck, but the bonnet will fall off otherwise.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56SHE LAUGHS
0:19:59 > 0:20:01So this must have something to do with sheep racing?
0:20:01 > 0:20:05It is, yes. Yes. The girls...
0:20:05 > 0:20:07Is this a tradition?
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Not really, the girls wanted to dress up and we were asked
0:20:10 > 0:20:13if we'd dress up, so we dressed up!
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- And what do your customers make of it?- Think we're barking!
0:20:19 > 0:20:22- But you are!- I know. We know that.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36'Outside in the street, sheep fever has struck.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39'The islanders make their way en masse to the racetrack.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44'The flock is led, appropriately, by the island's two ladies of the cloth, Karen and Gill.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50Well, we'd better get Persil just to inspect the course actually, yeah.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57'Pet lamb Persil isn't quite old enough to race yet,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00'but for next year, there's clearly a champion in the making.'
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Bit of a natural.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04I think so, yes. There you are.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09'The sun's out, the crowds are in force.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13'But before the racing can begin, the jockeys need to be mounted,
0:21:13 > 0:21:17'complete with their personalised racing colours.'
0:21:17 > 0:21:18There you go.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Got that waiting game now, everyone's got to run
0:21:20 > 0:21:23and put their bets on now the jockeys are on.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25'There are several races during the day,
0:21:25 > 0:21:27'and almost everyone has a flutter.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32'It raises thousands of pounds for the island's medical fund, and this year,
0:21:32 > 0:21:36'Puffin and her committee are hoping to raise a record amount.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40'With all bets placed, it's time for the first race.'
0:21:40 > 0:21:41- 'Are you ready?'- Yes!
0:21:41 > 0:21:44'On your marks...go!'
0:21:45 > 0:21:46Go, go!
0:21:46 > 0:21:48LAUGHTER
0:21:48 > 0:21:50SHOUTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
0:21:57 > 0:21:58CHEERING
0:22:00 > 0:22:03It seemed to be a good run, yeah.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06No panicking sheep, which is always good.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09'Gill, the Anglican vicar, and Karen, the Methodist lay minister,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11'have decided to get involved.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15'They're going to choose a sheep each in a race and go head-to-head.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17'But this is an unfamiliar flock,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20'and they're going to need advice from expert shepherd, David.'
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Come on, tell us what's, what's the...
0:22:22 > 0:22:27What actually should you look for in a good sheep that'll run well?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Well, they've got to have a nice, white face
0:22:30 > 0:22:32and a nice, cleanly shaven...
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- THEY LAUGH - OK, OK.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Which one do you think is going to be the Anglican sheep, then?
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- Oh, I'm afraid I, I... - And which one is the Methodist?
0:22:40 > 0:22:44I think that one there is rather cute, got lovely long eyelashes.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48- I think this one here with spotty ears has got to be the Methodist. - That one?
0:22:48 > 0:22:50This one there, with its head down?
0:22:50 > 0:22:53Yes, look, see, she's looking at me. That's definitely it.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- That's your sheep?- Yes, yeah.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Methodist jockey, this one.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04And this is the Anglican jockey.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08'The race between the ladies of the cloth has the punters in a lather.'
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- Yes, please?- Can I have two on number 3, please?- Two on number 3.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14'It's being dubbed "the battle of the Churches",
0:23:14 > 0:23:19'and it seems the punters are convinced that divine intervention could play a part in the result.'
0:23:19 > 0:23:21- Two on two, please.- Two on 2?
0:23:21 > 0:23:24'Bookie Dave Cocksedge is being swamped with bets.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27'Great news for the medical fund.'
0:23:27 > 0:23:28Which would you put your money on?
0:23:28 > 0:23:33I think... Quite probably the lady from the Methodist Church today,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36so I think she's probably on a good, good winner there, I think, so...
0:23:36 > 0:23:38- Three on 3, please.- Three on 3?
0:23:38 > 0:23:42Oh, you know something about this that I don't know about?
0:23:42 > 0:23:44- This is the important one, Dave, isn't it?- It is, yes, yes.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47The battle of the Churches! HE LAUGHS
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Who do you put your money on, Eugene? Anglican or Methodist?
0:23:53 > 0:23:57I don't know. That's a bit of a hard choice there, being an atheist!
0:23:57 > 0:23:59I think they'd like a draw,
0:23:59 > 0:24:03that would make life easy, really, wouldn't it?
0:24:03 > 0:24:08The vicar's sheep run is race number three at two o'clock.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11'How we doing up at the starting line there?'
0:24:12 > 0:24:15'All right, buddy? OK.'
0:24:17 > 0:24:19'On your marks.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21'Get set.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23'Go!'
0:24:23 > 0:24:25CHEERING
0:24:50 > 0:24:52- KAREN:- Come on, come on, yellow!
0:24:52 > 0:24:53Come on. Oh, come on, yellow.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Come on, yellow!
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Oh, look at her fly! Come on, yellow, come on, come on!
0:24:59 > 0:25:00CHEERING
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Yes! I think I won!
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Last! Mine was last.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10'Karen's spotty-eared sheep has emerged victorious.'
0:25:10 > 0:25:14- The Methodist sheep won, then? - SHE LAUGHS
0:25:14 > 0:25:18- Yes, and I'm afraid the Anglican sheep came last! - BOTH LAUGH
0:25:18 > 0:25:22There must be a sermon in this we can share.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27'In the best interests of Church unity, both winner and loser
0:25:27 > 0:25:29'are given a special memento.'
0:25:29 > 0:25:33- That's lovely, thanks so much.- Thank you so much. they're wonderful!
0:25:33 > 0:25:35THEY LAUGH
0:25:35 > 0:25:38Well, I'm just absolutely in awe of Flying Cassock,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41my lovely yellow sheep that won.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44THEY LAUGH
0:25:44 > 0:25:47SHEEP BLEAT
0:25:47 > 0:25:49So all the training, it's all been worth it?
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Oh, yes. All that hard work we've been doing over these last few months
0:25:53 > 0:25:56has certainly paid off today, yeah.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- Yeah.- Everyone's had a good time by the sounds of it.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Hopefully, they've raised a lot of money...
0:26:01 > 0:26:03For the medical fund, yeah.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06What's your measure of today, how's it been?
0:26:06 > 0:26:07Fantastic, absolutely brilliant.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11The main thing now is counting up the money, see how much we've made.
0:26:11 > 0:26:16Fingers crossed we've made a lot, and it's terrific, absolutely great.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19I can't wait. Professor Saint will have a marvellous year, I hope.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27OK, thanks, Leo. I'll think about it and pray about it
0:26:27 > 0:26:29and I'll get back to you. OK. Bye.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33'Back at the chapel, flush from her victory, Karen has had some
0:26:33 > 0:26:37'more exciting news following a call from her boss Leo Osborn.'
0:26:37 > 0:26:43It's quite an amazing conversation,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45and he asked me a question,
0:26:45 > 0:26:49and said had I considered candidating for the ordained ministry?
0:26:49 > 0:26:51# When you're marching home... #
0:26:51 > 0:26:54'Karen presently is only a lay preacher,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57'but Leo has asked her to think about applying to be
0:26:57 > 0:27:00'a fully-fledged Methodist minister, a huge honour.'
0:27:00 > 0:27:02'There are a lot of things to consider.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05'Leo has just thrown the cat among the pigeons!'
0:27:05 > 0:27:09Yes, it's exciting, and I think I'm going to have a lot of, erm...
0:27:09 > 0:27:12tossing and turning tonight.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17CHOIR: # For the beauty of the earth... #
0:27:17 > 0:27:22'Accepting the full-time ministry has life-changing consequences.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24'Methodist Church ministers are moved regularly,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28'so Karen could find herself having to settle somewhere new
0:27:28 > 0:27:31'as often as every five years.'
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Well, the most important step is to ring Steve, my husband,
0:27:35 > 0:27:40and talk to him about it, and also consider the family home in Jersey
0:27:40 > 0:27:45and, you know, what the implications are if I pursue this role.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50'If Karen says yes, she will ultimately have to leave Sark,
0:27:50 > 0:27:52'the island she's come to know and love.'
0:27:52 > 0:27:55There's a lot of hard thinking to do,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58because it is going to affect us for the rest of our lives.
0:27:58 > 0:28:03CHOIR: # Our hymn of praise. #
0:28:05 > 0:28:07There's a lot to contemplate.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10'In the days to come...'
0:28:10 > 0:28:14I'll get a job in a bakery after this. Sweeping it up.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17'Fisherman Baz Adams enters a cake-baking competition.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20'But will it rise to the occasion?'
0:28:20 > 0:28:23- Very sugary. - That's disappointing, isn't it?
0:28:23 > 0:28:26'Karen and Gill unite for a challenging joint service
0:28:26 > 0:28:29'which doesn't go quite as expected.'
0:28:29 > 0:28:32CHOIR SINGS WHILE DOG BARKS
0:28:32 > 0:28:34SHEEP BLEATS
0:28:34 > 0:28:37DOG CONTINUES TO BARK
0:28:39 > 0:28:41Come on, Persil!
0:28:41 > 0:28:44'And shepherd David Scott faces a heart-wrenching decision
0:28:44 > 0:28:47'about his pet lamb, Persil.'
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Ultimately, it's my decision whether he's being eaten or not.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53What would be the advantage in eating him, do you think?
0:28:53 > 0:28:57Well, he'll taste good! HE LAUGHS
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd