Islander Cath Scullion: Well prepared

There are no supermarket or chain store luxuries on sale, with chocolate being the most indulgent item on the shelves.

The island's monks have endured years without luxuries and only recently started to partake of festive roast turkey, explained Brother Robert.

"When I was a young man here, we used to have cauliflower and other vegetables and cranberry sauce, but no turkey," he said.

"Now we have a little bit of that and our own beef."

Islander Cath Scullion said: "For us, it is the last trip away.

"We have all our presents and the turkey, this trip is for the bits and pieces."

Earlier this year, islanders sadly bid farewell to the school, with falling roll numbers meaning children will have to be taught on the mainland.

Throughout its history, the school, which has one classroom, has frequently shut when numbers dwindled.

The island has a population of just 55 and, at its peak, the school had 11 pupils.

The islanders have yet to decide what to do with the school building.

Caldey's economy relies on summer tourists visiting the Cistercian monastery where the monks make chocolate and perfume.