Sark mourns the Mermaid landlady

Friday 17 April 2020

Despite strict rules over funerals at present because of the corona virus lockdown, mourners in Sark will still gather to pay their respects to a much loved member of the community today, by lining the island's roads as the funeral procession passes by.

Dorothy Taylor passed away this week. She and her husband have run the Mermaid for many years.

Mrs Taylor's family will be attending a graveside service this afternoon, but no one else is allowed to go under the rules currently being enforced by Guernsey's Civil Contingencies Authority as part of the corona virus lockdown which covers the entire Bailiwick.

Pictured: Sark's Church, St Peter's. 

There have been no confirmed cases of covid-19 in Sark, with 11 people having been tested. 10 of those have been found to be negative, while one person is awaiting their results from the Guernsey testing facility.

Despite the virus not having reached Sark, funerals are limited to close family members only and social distancing must be adhered to. But it is hoped that many people in Sark will show their respects to Mrs Taylor who had helped keep the island refreshed for so many years.

Mrs Taylor has also been a prolific fundraising for the St John Marine Ambulance. In 2013 she was given a special award in recognition of her raising more than £100,000 for the emergence service which covers the entire Bailiwick. 

A procession will leave the Mermaid at 12:30 today and everyone in Sark is asked to line the route from the pub to the islands cemetery. 

A statement posted by David Stolton, the island's Ecumenical Minister, on the public Sark Island Coronavirus Support Group asks mourners to be outside by 12:15, ahead of the funeral procession starting at 12:30, socially distancing from each other, but lining the route towards Clos a Jaon and St Peter's.

Mr Stolton wrote: "in recognising the need for the community to be able to show their respects, I have arranged with PEC that people can line the route from The Mermaid to St Peter's, but must observe strict social distancing both in walking to the route and on the route. 

"After the carriage and mourners have passed, it is essential that no-one follows the carriage and all disperse carefully to their homes, again observing strict social distancing and not staying to chat to friends. This is a special exemption we have been granted and we ask that everyone respects these arrangements in also respecting Mrs Taylor and her family."

The route will take Mrs Taylor and her family from The Mermaid, turning right along Rue Lucas, up toward Clos a Jaon before turning to St Peter's. The road will be closed beyond Chief Pleas and at the Vicarage junction. 

"Please do come and show your respects to Mrs Taylor, but be careful of social distancing for yours and the community's sake. When the restrictions are lifted there will be a full memorial service which will be notified when this is possible," wrote Mr Stolton.