Feast Day St Ives...

Spring has arrived, summer too; it must have, on February 8^th we celebrate St Ives Feast and the ‘hurling of the silver ball’. Every year I feel Feast Day means winter is over...

It’s also a ‘day off’ for the town and local schools (try to stop us Nicky Morgan!), and a chance to join in some very old and established traditions. Feast Day actually remembers the anniversary of the consecration of the Parish Church of St Ia in 1434 and includes said Hurling of the Silver Ball, one of Cornwall's oldest customs dating back at least a thousand years. No one quite knows why, but it involves the Mayor standing on the wall of St Ia Church, facing out-to-sea, and at 10.30am chucking a tennis-sized ball made of apple wood coated in silver leaf into the crowd of mostly young people (traditionally the 'countrymen' and 'townsmen' of the parishes) who have usually organised themselves into teams on Lambeth Walk beach. Whoever returns the ball to the Mayor on the steps of St Ives Guildhall on the stroke of midday receives a silver coin. 

A friend of my sons caught it a couple of years ago, and as the tide was in, decided to swim towards Hayle with it in his pocket. Sadly, he only got round the head of the West Pier because of the high swell and as he came out of the water outside the Hub, was ‘overpowered’ by the gang from Ayr, so went for a drink instead. You get the idea ….

There’s also a blessing of the Venton Ia Well on Porthmeor, originally the main and only fresh water supply for Downalong, and a wonderful Mayor’s lunch in the Guildhall (yes, pasties).

I love the whole day, right through to the Feast rugby match between St Ives RFC and Cornwall Clubs, which the Mayor will kick-off (last year her shoe flew off as well, and she was ‘assisted’ from the field in one stiletto, but that may have been the sherry).

If you have the time, it will have to be next year now, and have an early Spring break in mind, why not come and stay at The Sail Lofts to coincide with St Ives Feast Day itself … just so you can plan, it’s always on the first Monday after February 3^rd. Takes a moment, doesn’t it …

To book a luxury apartment in Cornwall for the festivities call the friendly Sail Lofts team on 01736 799175.

Peter x

Feasting, surfing and a round of golf!

St Ives began the week in style as the annual Feast Day kicked off, with the youth of the town scrabbling around for a silver ball, which then led to a cold swim for two brave souls! To see the action and read a bit more about it this blog has a great perspective on the day.

Philip down here at The Sail Lofts celebrated his Birthday in style by winning a competitive game of golf over the weekend at Tehidy Park Golf Club. His family and friends lucked into some glorious weather for the game as well, good timing!

The surf was on fire over the weekend as well, the south coast was great on Saturday and was well overhead, with some sneaky barrels. With the sun shining I'm sure there will be some great photos floating around, but check this video of Porthleven, looks nice!

On Sunday the North Coast decided to turned really clean and Porthtowan was really good fun with long long lefts and some really fun walls. Its been a while but what a weekend! 

Here at The Sail Lofts we are fully booked for half term week but we do have some great offers on holidays in st ives coming up soon, so keep your eyes on the website.

Whats happening in St Ives

Even though we are still in the depths of winter there seems to be quite a lot happening in St Ives. The Tate has reopened again with the Dexter Dalwood exhibition, I'm yet to make it down there but I've been hearing good things!

A long lasting tradition in St Ives is St Ives Feast Day, seen as a signal for the start of the season, it takes place on Monday 8th February. Traditionally to celebrate the anniversary of the consecration of the Parish Church of St Eia in 1434, it's also a day off for everyone at school. Central to the other goings-on is The Hurling of the Silver Ball; so old, no one quite knows when it originated. At 10.30am the Silver Ball (same size as a tennis ball, but made of wood and covered in silver leaf), is hurled from the wall of the Parish Church over Lambeth Walk Beach and into the mass crowd of young people, who have arranged themselves into teams, by the Mayor, this year Cllr Yvonne Watson. Each team tries to keep the ball until noon, when it's returned to the Mayor at The Guildhall. This usually involves a number of huge scrums, swimming with it across the bay and/or other pre-planned distractions to stop opposing teams grabbing it. The person who gets the ball back to the Guildhall at midday is given a silver coin (originally a crown piece); everyone else gets a penny. In 1823 William Webb Ellis, with total disregard for the laws of soccer, picked up the ball at Rugby School and ran around. The Hurling of the Silver Ball may throw another answer as to the origins of rugby; well, Cornish rugby anyway.

For those less inclined to take part in this, or can't make it, some more civilised goings on are as follows:

The St Ives Jazz Club every Tuesday, there are some good acts playing throughout February including Trevor Watkis Trio, but for a full listing see here.

On top of all this there is a Childrens Workshop - Paint and Plant with Jo.
Wednesday 17th February - 11.00 - 13.00.
St Ives Library
Decorate a plant pot for Spring - with Jo McIntosh.
£2.00 per child.
Places limited - advance booking strongly advised.
Call the library: 0300 1234 111

Jo is also running a series of workshops for adults.
Details on the website:


The Sail Lofts has some great offers on again for next week we are still offering up to 50% off, please see here.

Don't leave it too late to whisk your loved one away for a break over Valentines, we are getting booked up quickly but for our latest availability either visit our website or telephone 01736 799 175