Thursday 23 December 2010

Happy Christmas !

Christmas - St Ives Cornwall


St Ives Cornwall Blog is now two years old - actually slightly older as I did my first post on the Winter Solstice in 2008.

Many thanks to all of my readers and followers - I plan to improve my rate of posting over the coming year, as I've had one or two gaps over the last 12 months, mainly due to pressure of work on other websites. As ever any suggestions or feedback for this blog are more than welcome.

All is looking good for Christmas - we've got pretty much all of our shopping done - tomorrow just need to walk down to Tregenna  get the turkey from Harveys and vegetables from Trims. In case of any last minute needs the Co-Op is open until 8.00 on Christmas Eve.

Jo is finishing off the Christmas cakes and about to start on the mince pies. Both of our girls are home for the weekend. Even the weather forecast is looking good - so we'll be out for our traditional walk on Christmas day, followed by a drink at The Sloop and home for Christmas dinner.

Happy Christmas to everybody !

Wednesday 22 December 2010

Travel To St Ives Cornwall

St Ives Harbour


I'm told by one of the main self catering agencies in town that today and tomorrow are the main "changeover" days for Christmas visitors.

So I thought I'd do a post about travel conditions - as the news has been full of horror stories.

First - we have no snow whatsoever in St Ives and the surrounding area - so whatever you encounter further upcountry once you get here there will be no problems.

I've set up a Twitter feed for travel conditions - including posts from BBC News, Pirate FM and The Met Office - no problems reported at the moment:
Cornwall Travel - Twitter Feed

According to other posts on Twitter conditions on the A30 are fine at the moment.

According to the National Rail website trains into St Erth and Penzance are running on time or with minor delays.

Newquay Airport report that flights coming in from London, Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester are scheduled on time. Some delays are reported on flights from Newcastle. The airport is currently fully operational, but they do advise passengers to contact their airline before travelling to their departure airport.

I hope you have a safe journey to Cornwall and have a great Christmas !

Monday 20 December 2010

Christmas Video - St Ives TV



St Ives Cornwall - Christmas Lights


St Ives TV is a new online community producing high quality short films about St Ives Cornwall - including news, culture and events.

Above is one example of their recent films - Christmas Lights.

You can find more of their films to watch on Vimeo and more information on their FaceBook page:

St Ives TV - Vimeo

St Ives TV - FaceBook

I'm planning to feature more of their films in my various websites and blogs over the coming weeks.

Sunday 19 December 2010

St Ives Cornwall Websites

The Floral Shop - Florist - St Ives Cornwall


I've been working on quite a few new websites and website updates for St Ives businesses over the last few weeks, so I thought that I'd highlight some of them.

I've also been setting up Google Places pages for several of them - these appear both on normal Google searches and on map searches. With more and more people using Google Maps, particularly on mobile phones, this is a useful way to get your business noticed.

The Mex on Gabriel Street now have a nice simple site featuring a selection from their menu and details of how to book. Bookings for Christmas and New Year are still being taken. More coming soon - including full menus, a photo gallery and special offer vouchers that you can download:
The Mex - Restaurant St Ives - Website
The Mex - Google Places

Just round the corner The Floral Shop on Tregenna Hill can supply beautiful flowers for any occasion. Their new website features a selection of arrangements including a special Christmas selection:
The Floral Shop - Florist St Ives - Website
The Floral Shop - Google Places

St Ives artist Caroline Atkinson has just completed a group of new landscape paintings. These have been accepted by print company International Graphics - to be reproduced as limited edition prints for distribution worldwide. You can see Caroline's work on Harbour Galleries on St Ives Harbour as well as on her website:
Caroline Atkinson - St Ives Artist - New Gallery

Kuiama Crafts on Fore Street have recently expanded their range of knitting wools and yarns, including popular brands such as Adriafil, Artesano and Manos Del Uruguay. You can see the full range on their website:
Kuiama Crafts - Wool Shop St Ives - Knitting Yarns
Kuiama Crafts - Google Places

Jodieanne English, who produces high quality prints for local artists at Fine Art Print Centre, has started a new venture offering innovative and stylish health & beauty products - The Goddess In You. Available to buy online or from Jodieanne at her studio above Lanhams on High Street:
The Goddess In You - Health and Beauty Products

I've got a number of exciting projects lined up for January next year. Coming soon websites for:
One of St Ives longest established restaurants.
A food retailer on Tregenna Place.
Three new luxury self-catering properties.
An online shop selling t-shirts with humorous and witty slogans.
An online shop for an established St Ives clothing retailer.
Beautiful handmade dolls to buy or commission.
Original paintings of St Ives and the Cornish Landscape.

Finally - shameless self-promotion - if you want a new website, updates to an existing site or any help with online marketing get in touch:
St Ives Cornwall Website Design and Marketing

Friday 17 December 2010

What's On In St Ives Cornwall

Exhibition - 12 Artists - Café Art


Just a week to go to Christmas - can't wait !

There is a lot going on in town as the holiday approaches - so here is a selection of events.

Tomorrow - Saturday 18th - there is music and performance throughout the day all around town - as part Sounds Of Christmas.

Then tomorrow night - live music at St Ives Arts Club with Keith Hills and Richard Plank - a journey through the Folk-Blues section of The Great American Songbook. Doors open at 7.30 pm music from 8.00 pm. On the door - £6.00. Bring your own drinks.

On Sunday (19th) evening The Castle Inn are holding their Christmas Draw. Top prize is a Sony 120GB Hard Disk Drive DVD Recorder + Freeview - plus lots of other great prizes. Followed by live music from the legendary Billy Mac. Draw at 5.00 pm then music from 6.00 pm. Draw tickets are still available - £1.00 each.

Café Art - at The Drill Hall on Royal Square - have a new exhibition starting this week - 12 Artists. There is an opening party on Sunday (19th) from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm. Open on Monday (20th) from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm then every day until Saturday 15th January.

On Tuesday (21st) St Ives Jazz Club are holding a Christmas Party Gala Night. Musicians galore, guests, surprises, buffet. Doors open at 8.00 pm and music from 9.00 pm. Entry on the door: £10.00 / £6.00 (members).

On Wednesday (22nd) Jo McIntosh is running a children's art workshop at St Ives Library - Mini Christmas Stockings. Runs from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. It costs £2.00 per child and advance booking is recommended as places are limited - call in at the library or call them on 0300 1234 111.

On Thursday (23rd) its your last chance to get some great local Christmas food from St Ives Farmers Market. Festive specials from local suppliers include - three / five bird roasts, pork, venison, beef, seasonal vegetables, mince pies and christmas cakes.

Then its Christmas Eve and Santa will be on his way !

Thursday 16 December 2010

Christmas Shopping and Food

Santa Arrives In St Ives Cornwall


This Saturday Sounds of Christmas comes to St Ives - a day of music and performance all around town. Pantomime fun, choirs and other music.

Santa will be in his grotto at The Glass Tree on Fore Street from 2..00 to 4.00. Also at the same times on Sunday (19th) and Thursday (23rd).

Here is a selection of shops worth that you can visit for your Christmas food and gifts.

Harvey Brothers Family Butchers, on Tregenna Place, have some great choices for Christmas dinner - including traditional turkey plus turkey crown, goose, duck and free range chicken. They also have a delicatessen range including cooked meats, pies, pâtés, olives and cheeses. You can order online via their website, phone or call in at the shop.
Harvey Brothers Website

The Digey Food Room has a range of Cornish food plus Italian and Spanish delicacies. Their drinks range includes Cornish cider and for something different - nettle beer. Their café serves hot food and snacks throughout the day.
Digey Food Room Website

St Ives Farmers Farmers Market is open every Thursday over the holiday period from 9.30 am - 2.00 pm at St Ives Backpackers on The Stennack. Lots of festive specials plus the usual range of great local produce
St Ives Farmers Market Website

Kuiama Crafts on Fore Street have some wonderful gifts including hand made felt and quilts - each piece is unique and original. They also stock a range of other gifts.
Kuiama Crafts Website

St Ives Fishermen's Co-Op on The Wharf have some quality gifts with a nautical theme including chronometers, barometers and compasses. Also a range of clothing and footwear:
St Ives Fishermen's Co-Op Website

St Ives Leathercrafts on Fore Street have handmade leather bags in a range of styles and sizes. They also specialise in trophy buckles and have a vast range to choose from.
St Ives Leathercrafts Website

The Floral Shop can supply all your Christmas flowers - they have a range of special Christmas arrangements plus cut flowers. They can also design a unique flower arrangement just for you.
Floral Shop Website

Have a great Christmas in St Ives !

Monday 13 December 2010

Exhibition - 12 Artists - Café Art

Break Glass In Case Of Emergency - Jo McIntosh


A new exhibition opens this Sunday (19th December) at Café Art in The Drill Hall on Royal Square.

The opening party is from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm with drinks and nibbles.

The café and exhibition are then open daily from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.

The exhibition closes on Saturday 15th January.

It features small works in a variety of media including paintings, drawings, photographs, textiles and installation.

All work is for sale - with a range of prices to suit everybody - from £8.00 to £250.00 - a great chance to get a unique Christmas gift or something beautiful for your home.

Featured artists are:
You can see a gallery of work on FaceBook with details and prices:
Exhibition - 12 Artists

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Christmas Shopping and Celebrations

Santa and Christmas Fairy


There are a couple of special events coming up in St Ives as Christmas approaches.

This Friday (10th) its Jingle All The Way. Santa and his sleigh will be travelling through town from The Parish Rooms on St Andrews Street and along Fore Street. He'll have lots of reindeer helpers to pull his sleigh and children are welcome to join in - bring reindeer horns and jingle bells if you have them! Starts at 6.00 pm.

Also on Friday many shops will be opening late, some serving mulled wine, mince pies or other festive treats. As well as Fore Street and elsewhere don't forget that The Drill Hall on Royal Square will be open. Cafe Art will be serving a wonderful range of snacks and hot drinks, with the shops offering a great range of gifts.

On Saturday 18th December its Sounds of Christmas. Music, choirs and performers throughout the town during the day to entertain, bring good cheer and a warm Christmas atmosphere.

Have a great Christmas in St Ives !