Return to Sark

The Isle of Brecqhou and the castle owned by the Barclays, located just off the western side of Sark Photograph: Martin Argles

The Barclay twins, Sir Frederick and David, billionaire owners of the Telegraph newspapers and the Ritz hotel, live in the mock gothic castle on Brecqhou. Before the 10 December elections, the brothers produced a manifesto of nine approved candidates they thought would make good "counceillers" (or MPs). The started to close businesses they owned after only two such candidates were voted in Photograph: Martin Argles

The development plans submitted by the Barclay twins, who halted building plans following the election results. The British businessmen co-own the Daily Telegraph Photograph: Martin Argles

La Coupée, the causeway between Greater and Little Sark, measures just 3 metres (10ft) wide with a drop of 91 metres on either side Photograph: Martin Argles

View out to sea, from the clifftop near La Coupée Photograph: Martin Godwin

Michael Beaumont, the Seigneur of Sark. Until the December elections he was effectively the head of Europe's last feudal state Photograph: Martin Argles

The Seigneur Michael Beaumont feeds his doves. He says he's clinging to "precious few" powers - as seigneur he is the only one permitted to own the birds plus he has first refusal over whatever washes up on the shore. Although he still has a voice in Sark's parliament he cannot vote Photograph: Martin Argles

Boatmen and lobster fishermen at the harbour Photograph: Martin Argles

Cars are banned on Sark, so the main forms of transport are bicycles and horse and cart. Farmers tractors are also permitted Photograph: Martin Argles

Jars of sweets in the local sweet shop on Sark's main high street Photograph: Martin Godwin

Tourism is a mainstay of Sark's economy. Most of the businesses closed by the Barclay twins have reopened but bookings and trade is down Photograph: Martin Godwin

Jan Guy, who runs Sark's tourist information centre. "It was a tough time, but people are working together now, working hard. The mood is shifting and healing" Photograph: Martin Argles

A blue post box outside the post office Photograph: Martin Godwin

A shop in the high street. Most of Sark's businesses were reopened after a few weeks of the Barclay closures. Most people got their jobs back Photograph: Martin Argles

Looking out to sea in the evening from Creux harbour Photograph: Martin Godwin