Sand Castle Competition - Sunday - Porthminster

Porthminster Beach - St Ives Cornwall

---

Looking for something to do this weekend in St Ives - for all ages, families and children ?

There's a Sand Castle Building Competition this Sunday (31st July 2011) on Porthminster Beach. There are two categories - "Best Castle" for young children and "Beat The Tide" for teams of family and friends.

A fundraiser for St Ives Surf Lifesaving Club and organised by Tregenna Castle - the fun starts at 10.30 am and entry is £2.50 per person.

There is also face painting for kids and food available throughout the day from the beach takeaway.

Full details are on:
Tregenna News Blog

St Ives - Summer Creative Activities For Kids

St Ives Cornwall - Art Workshops For Children

---

With the school holidays here lots of families with children will be coming to St Ives - and looking for things to do - in addition to just enjoying the beach.

This summer there are a fair few creative activities - art, workshops etc. - so here a some that you might want to look at.

Drop In Art Workshops - every Sunday - 10.00 am for ages 5-11 and 1.00 pm for ages 11+. A chance to explore exciting art techniques and materials.Cost is £5.00 - no booking required:
St Ives School Of Painting

Fun With Writing Workshop - with author Liz Kessler. Thursday 28th July - 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm. For ages 8 to 14. Cost is £5.00 - booking advised - 01736 795 582.
St Ives Society Of Artists

ClayDays - creative hands on activities with clay. Every Wednesday at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. For ages 6 - 12. Cost is £5.00 - booking advised - 01736 799 703.
Leach Pottery

Family Drop In - a family friendly space, with resources and games. Daily 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. For all the family. Free with gallery admission - no booking required.
Tate St Ives

Family Beach Workshops - make your own artwork to take home. Activities are for children and adults to take part together. Every Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri - 11.00 to 12.30. Cost is £3.00 per child - children must be accompanied by an adult - accompanying adults free. Booking required - 01736 791 177.
Tate St Ives

Craft Workshops - have fun and be creative with Jo McIntosh. Make Your Own Juggling Balls - Tuesday 16th August. Make Your Own Clown Hat - Friday 26th August. Both run from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. Cost is £2.00 per child - booking advised - 0300 1234 111.
St Ives Library

St Ives Cornwall - What's On

Gareth Roberts Quintet - St Ives Jazz Club

---

Lots to do in St Ives this week as the main holiday season gets into full swing.

Tonight (24th July) there is a classical music concert at St Ives Parish Church with Sine Nomine - part of their Sunday@8 series of concerts. Starts at 8.00 pm and admission on the door is £5.00.

Tomorrow (25th) Freddy Zapp is hosting a Karaoke Night at The Sheaf Of Wheat. The fun starts at 8.00 pm - free entry. Also on every Monday and Wednesday throughout the summer.

On Tuesday (26th) St Ives Jazz Club are staging Gareth Roberts Quintet - original modern jazz influenced by Charles Mingus and the Blue Note jazz of the 60s. Doors open at 8.00 pm, music from 9.00 pm and entry on the door is £10.00 / £6.00 (members). More top class modern jazz every Tuesday all year round.

On Wednesday (27th) there is a Falconry Display at Tregenna Castle - owls, falcons and hawks will show off their breathtaking flight skills around the 72 acre estate in St Ives. Starts at 6.00 pm and its a free event. Food and drink available in the hotel bar and brasserie. On every Wednesday through the summer.

On Thursday (28th) Café Frug returns to St Ives Arts Club. An eclectic mix of music, poetry, comedy, film and just about anything else - depending on who turns up. Doors open at 7.30 pm and entry is £4.00 / £2.00 (members). Also on every second Thursday throughout the year.

On Friday (29th) its the monthly Late At The Tate - free entry to the Summer Exhibition, animated film - The Itch Of The Golden Nit, documentary film - Agnes Martin, food and bar in the Tate Café. Starts at 6.00 pm - free entry.

On Saturday (30th) why not try something creative ! Textile artists Jo McIntosh is running a Papier-Mâché Workshop in St Ives. Runs from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm and the cost  is £40.00 including all materials. To book - contact Jo on 01736 797 122.

As ever - this is just a small selection of what's going on in the creative hotbed that is St Ives. Lots more on:
St Ives Cornwall - What's On

You can also stay in touch with events on:
St Ives Cornwall - FaceBook Page

The very latest news will be posted - several times a day - on:
St Ives Cornwall - Twitter

John Knill Celebrations

Knill Ceremony - St Ives Cornwall. Pic by Colin Sanger

---

On Monday (25th July 2011) the quinquennial (5 yearly) celebrations for the Knill Ceremony will take place in St Ives.

John Knill was Collector of the Customs at St Ives from 1762 to 1782. He was appointed Mayor of the Borough of St Ives in November 1767 and apparently developed a "warm and abiding affection for the town and its people". Given his job - an affection that was almost certainly not reciprocated by many town traders and residents !

He built a Mausoleum in 1782, up on Worvas Hill above St Ives and close to the present day Steeple Woodland Nature Reserve. Known today as Knill's Steeple. He intended that this imposing 50 ft high structure to be his final resting place. But he died in London in 1811 and his body was never brought back to the town.

He did however prepare an Indenture which dated 29th May 1797.  He appointed the Mayor, the Vicar and the Customs Officer to be Trustees and charged them with the duty of ensuring that a ceremony was performed every five years on 25 July, being the Feast of St James The Apostle.

Ten girls, not exceeding 10 years, being native of St Ives and daughters of Seaman, Fishermen or Tinners, should dance around his monument. To be accompanied by two widows aged over 64 years, being widows of Seamen, Fishermen or Tinners.  They should be accompanied by the Vicar of St Ives, The Mayor and The Customs Officer. All to be led by a fiddler (the musical type - not a plumber who has failed to declare his VAT).

The ceremony on Monday starts at 10.30 am when the party of children, widows, fiddler and assorted local worthies assembles at The Guildhall. The party will then proceed to the Malakoff - via Street-an-Pol, St Andrew’s Street, High Street, Tregenna Place, Tregenna Hill and Fernlea Terrace. A bus will then take them up to Knill's Steeple. Dancing at the steeple will start at 12.00 noon.

Should be quite a spectacle and another celebration of our local traditions - so well worth a look.

More information is on:
St Ives Town Council Website

There is a nice video where Harding Laity explains more of the historical background on:
St Ives TV - Heritage

St Ives Artist - Keith English - Florence Biennale

The Arrival Of St Ia - Keith English

---

St Ives artist Keith English has been invited to exhibit at the prestigious Florence Biennale Exhibition - which will take place from 3rd to December 11th 2011.

Keith will be exhibiting three of his original oil paintings: The Arrival of St. Ia, The Divine Alchemist and The End of Time.

The original artwork can be viewed at Keith's studio throughout the summer until the paintings travel to Italy in October.

Keith welcomes his many friends and clients to his studio to visit him and to see this beautiful work. The studio is on High Street in the Lanhams Building (above St Ives Holidays). Open from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday - but do call ahead to check as these hours sometimes vary - 01736 798 493.

There are also several other new works that are developing so all are welcome to come and see what is new at the Keith English Studio!

You can also view the works on Keith's website:
Keith English - Florence Biennale

You can post comments and messages on:
Keith English - FaceBook Page

What's On In St Ives Cornwall

St Ives Arts Club - Cafe Frug - Thursday 14th July

---

As ever lots going on in St Ives this week. Here is a small selection of stuff. Full listings are on:
St Ives Cornwall - What's On

Tonight (9th July) - live music at The Harbour Pool Club - blues rock from Devil's Creek. Starts at 9.00 pm, free admission for members and guests, temporary memberships available for visitors.

Tomorrow night (10th) The Belerion Consort play at St Ives Parish Church - part of their weekly Sunday@8 series of classical concerts. Starts at 8.00 pm - admission £5.00 on the door.

On Monday (11th) Freddy Zapp is back at The Sheaf Of Wheat for a fun Karaoke Night. Starts at 8.30 - free entry. Freddy will be at The Sheaf every Monday and Wednesday night throughout the Summer.

On Tuesday (12th) St Ives Jazz Club are staging Pedal Mania - 'the finest choice of funky grooves'. Doors open at 8.00 pm, music from 9.00 pm. Admission on the door £10.00 / £6.00 (members). More top class modern jazz every Tuesday all year round.

On Wednesday (13th) indulge your creative side at St Ives School Of Painting - with a Life Drawing Class. Starts at 7.00 pm, beginners welcome,  costs £15.00 - no need to book just turn up. The school has a membership scheme with reduced costs for the classes and other exclusive events.

On Thursday (14th) Cafe Frug is at St Ives Arts Club - an eclectic mix of poetry, comedy, prose, music, film and anything else artistic. Doors open at 7.30 pm with performance from 8.00 pm, entry is £4.00 / £3.00 (members).

On Friday (15th) St Ives Raft Race starts at 6.30 pm in the harbour. Free to watch and great fun.

Have a great week in St Ives !

Seagrass Restaurant - Best In St Ives - TripAdvisor

Seagrass Restaurant - St Ives Cornwall

---

Seagrass Restaurant - to be found down on St Ives Harbour by the slipway - has been voted best restaurant in St Ives (#1 of 64) by independent reviewers on TripAdvisor.

Quite an achievement given that they only opened a few weeks ago in May !

Diners clearly love the place - 95% of those who have posted reviews rate Seagrass as "Excellent".

Well done to owner-managers Scott and Julia Blair and to Professional MasterChef finalist Lee Groves !

To find out more about their food and philosophy visit:
Seagrass St Ives Website

To check out the reviews go to:
TripAdvisor Reviews - Seagrass St Ives

St Ives Farmers Market

St Ives Farmers Market - Thursday 7th July 2011

---

St Ives Farmers Market is open today until 2.00 pm - at The Backpackers on The Stennack.

Great local produce - which today includes fresh Cornish fish, bread, cakes and seasonal vegetables.

I've just been down there and took the photo above a few minutes ago.
So get down there before the best items sell out !

Also open every Thursday throughout the year:
from 9.30 am to 2.00 pm.

More information on:
St Ives Farmers Market - Website

Ayr Field Day

Ayr Field Day - St Ives Cornwall

---

This Sunday - 3rd July - on Ayr Field - 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Entertainment, activities, food and lots more - a celebration of the best of St Ives. Admission is free.

Performers in the Main Tent include:

• St Ives Town Band
• KRUners Choir
• St Ives Infant School Choir
• Tros an Treys Cornish Dancers

Activities include Art Workshop with Tate St Ives, Street Games and Zumba Taster Class.

Delicious food from St Ives Lions Club BBQ, Lafafa Middle Eastern Vegetarian Cuisine, Monika’s homemade baked goods, the Cornish Ice Cream Company and Cornish Cotton Candy Barrow.

Plus 20+ community and craft stalls, fete games, bouncy castle, carousel, toddler play area, face painter and more!

See you there !