Rev Canon Dr Sarah Hills is spearheading a transformative initiative to revitalise Holy Island, tackling key issues including an ageing population, housing shortages, and outdated infrastructure.

Separated from mainland Northumberland by a tidal causeway, Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne, holds significant relevance to Christianity due to its historical and spiritual connections.

It is currently visited by up to 800,000 people each year.

Holy Island is renowned for its early Christian monastic community. In the seventh century, Saint Aidan, an Irish monk, established a monastery there, which was pivotal in spreading Christianity across Northern England.

His successor, Saint Cuthbert, became the prior and later the Bishop of Lindisfarne. Revered for his piety, Cuthbert’s relics became significant pilgrimage sites after his death.

The Holy Island 2050 project, launched under Rev Hills' leadership, aims to address the island's sustainability challenges and improve the visitor experience.

In an interview with the BBC, Rev Hills highlighted the urgent need for affordable housing and job creation, stating: “We need to balance tourism with a vibrant, sustainable community.”

Key achievements include halting a proposed fishing ban that threatened local livelihoods and increasing school enrolment with the arrival of new families.

Upcoming plans feature a new visitor centre, better transport links, and improved amenities to ease overcrowding and enhance accessibility.