A Suffolk dairy farming couple who beat back international competition to create a new herd on the tiny island of Sark are returning home.

Four years ago, Jason and Katharine Salisbury were selected to run Sark Community Dairy after a global hunt which attracted applicants from the US, Cyprus and New Zealand because of its idyllic location off the coast of Normandy in France.

Before heading out there, the couple established a successful Guernsey and Jersey dairy herd at Creeting St Mary, near Stowmarket - bringing up children James and Emily on the farm.

Jason and Katharine Salisbury on Sark ( Image: Jason Salisbury)  also launched their own successful cheeses - Suffolk Gold, Brie and Blue - under their Suffolk Farmhouse Cheese branch

But when the chance came up to create a new dairy herd in the Channel Islands, they were hooked.

Son, James, 20, kept the Suffolk herd of about 35 to 40 milking cows going in their absence and they ran both businesses from the island.

Their herd on Sark is now about 30-strong with 15 adult cows. Next year will be the fifth and final year of their contract and they have decided to head home rather than renew.

The Salisburys' milking herd on Sark (Image: Katharine Salisbury) They have created double-award-winning Sark cheeses as well as producing cream and milk - and will soon launch their own butter.

"It's basically time to return to the family  farm in Suffolk - we want to go back and help James," explained Katharine.

"We have loved our time here but we really feel it's time for a change."

The Salisburys' Sark dairy herd (Image: Katharine Salisbury) She added: "We had a five year tenancy which could be extended but our rent would have doubled after the five years which would have made it quite difficult."

Their return will give James a chance to take time off to do some travelling and he has arranged to meet his globe-trotting sister, Emily, 23, in Canada.

"He's only 20, bless him, and he has been doing really, really well," said Katharine. "He's amazing."

Jason will take more of a back seat when James returns, enabling him to spend time on his sailing boat - The Good Mood - at Pin Mill, currently moored in Guernsey. 

While James - who was very keen to follow in his father's footsteps and become a dairy farmer - has risen to the challenge of keeping the home herd going in Suffolk, island life has also presented difficulties for Katharine and Jason. 

"It's been very hard," admitted Katharine, but added: "Everyone has been lovely. There's a lovely community here but it has been hard sourcing things, importing things, all the shopping lists. It has been very, very expensive so that has been challenging. You are doubling costs."

Sark cheese made by the Salisburys (Image: Katharine Salisbury) Because of Covid, much of the preparation had to be done remotely. Jason moved over in the summer of 2021 and Katharine joined him later that year - delayed because she needed to find a new cheesemaker back in Suffolk.

Now both also have elderly mothers back home they want to be close to. 

"We came here with an open mind but that's how it has played out. We love the life, we love the walks and the island life and going to the beach and enjoying the community.

Sark cream from the Salisburys' herd (Image: Katharine Salisbury) "We have made a lot of really good friends here who are obviously really upset we are going but on the other hand we have got the family and our business," said Katharine.

Their feelings were mixed about leaving the beautiful island next year, she said. "We are obviously very anxious to find new tenants to take over her. We feel very torn because we don't want to leave - it's absolutely stunning."

They were also proud of what they have achieved. "We hope that the newly chosen tenants will take the dairy to the next level with the support of the islanders," they said.

"We would very much like to pass on our knowledge and help whenever we can. We look forward to coming back to Sark in the future to visit friends we have made and see how the dairy has grown.”

Jason and Katharine Salisbury with their two children James and Emily back in 2019 (Image: Suffolk Farmhouse Cheese)

Sark Community Dairy is now on the lookout for new tenants.

Trustee and Seigneur Christopher Beaumont said: “My fellow trustees and I are grateful for the time and effort Jason and Katherine have dedicated to Sark in setting up the dairy as a going concern.

"The dairy is a vital aspect of Sark’s land management, and their cattle are a welcome feature of our bucolic landscape. We look forward to hearing from potential tenants who want to live and work in this beautiful environment."

The trustees are initially looking within the two Bailiwicks -  Alderney, Guernsey (incorporating Herm), and Sark - for the next tenants and will expand the search within weeks to the UK.

To register your interest email info@sarkdairytrust.com.

(Image: Sarah Chambers)