Wednesday, 11 November 2009

St Ives Cornwall - Shops


Trims Greengrocers - Now Sadly Closed


I was really surprised when I got back from holiday in Spain to discover that another long established shop in town has closed - Trims Greengrocers.

I don't know the full story but I heard that they closed down suddenly, with only a couple of days notice. Also that they're closed for good. If you know any different let me know.

That leaves us with just one specialist greengrocer in town, although the Co-Op sell a fairly good range of fruit and veg as well. Also just one family butcher (there were three) and one fishmonger.

St Ives Farmers market has some great stuff - but that's only once a week.

I don't know why Trims closed - it may have just been a personal decision by the owners. But I hope that we don't lose more "everyday items" shops over the coming months.

With Woolworths now gone there are several things that are hard to find in St Ives and require a trip to Penzance or Truro. Here is my (extremely random) personal list - please add your own in the comments if you want:
  • Shoelaces.
  • CD-Rs.
  • Music CDs.
  • DVDs.
  • Everday clothes - we don't wear fisherman's smocks all of the time.
  • Work clothes - unless you have a job as a surfer.
  • Children's toys.
  • Electrical goods - tellys, radios etc.
  • Lighter fuel for Zippos.
  • Art materials - canvas, brushes, paints etc.
  • Pens and inks.
  • Kitchen stuff - pots and pans etc.

Monday, 9 November 2009

St Ives Cornwall - November Competition




From now on I'm hoping to run a monthly competition here on the blog and my OneStIves website.

So here is the first - the prize is a copy of the guidebook -
St Ives and Trips in the Vicinity by Julia Kaufhold.

One of my passtimes in St Ives is finding obscure routes and pathways around town. So the question is:


Where am I in St Ives ?


Take a look at the photo above - you can click on it to see a larger version.


There is only one prize - so I also need a tiebreaker:


Where am I going and why ?


Responses can be as witty, funny or insulting as you want !


The editors decision is final - though I may consult some of my blog friends if I'm stuck.


Post your answers below as comments.

Closing date is Saturday 14th November and I'll post the winning entry, plus any honourable mentions, here.

If you'd like to offer a competition prize in exchange for some free publicity for your business and website please do get in touch.

Sunday, 8 November 2009

Christmas in St Ives Cornwall

Christmas Lights - St Ives Cornwall


Only a few weeks now until Christmas - can't wait !

I thought I'd feature a few ideas to help you with food and gifts.

Its time to order you turkey (or duck, goose, rabbit .... whatever) and the place to do that is Harvey Brothers - the best family butcher in town. Their website features a selection of what they have on offer and you can buy online. If you don't see what you want simply give them a call and they can get it for you:
Harvey Brothers - Family Butchers


If you want to go out for Christmas Day lunch - The Western Hotel are now taking bookings. They're offering a seven course menu with starter, fish course, sorbet, main course, dessert, Cornish cheeses, coffee and mince pies. There will be a fully licenced bar with a selection of wines, real ales, spirits and soft drinks.


 If you're looking for a unique and original gift you could commission a unique piece of art.

Local artist Malcolm Bowmer can produce either a stylised Warhol style portrait or a unique caricature for you from a photo. This will then be printed and framed, or he can produce Christmas cards using the image:

Malcolm Bowmer - Stylised Portraits and Caricatures


Another local artist - Caroline Atkinson - can produce a personalised original painting for you with your names written in the sand of your favourite beach. This can also be used to produce Christmas cards if you wish. She also undertakes commisions and can work from a photograph:

Caroline Atkinson - Personalised Paintings


St Ives textile artist Jo McIntosh produces a range of handmade bags, scarves and jewellery. Every piece is unique and she can produce a piece exactly as you want. She also runs textile workshops and offers one to one tuition. You can buy a gift voucher for your loved one that they can use for any workshop that they choose:

Jo McIntosh - Handmade Textile Art

 I hope that you found this helpful - any other suggestions are welcome.

For more ideas and info visit:


Christmas In St Ives Cornwall

Saturday, 7 November 2009

St Ives Cornwall - What's On This Week


Amina Figarova - St Ives Jazz Club - Tuesday


Town is much quieter now but still plenty going on.

Tonight (7th) there is live music at The Western with singer / songwriter / guitarist Ben Warner. Starts at 9.00 pm free entry.

On Sunday (8th) Four Lanes Male Choir are performing at The Festival of Remembrance - St Anta Church Carbis Bay. Admission is by programme on the door and it starts at 7.30 pm. This will be preceded in the morning by services of remembrance at St Ives Parish Church and laying of poppies at the war memorial.

On Monday (9th) there is the weekly pub quiz at The Castle Inn starting at 8.00 pm.

On Tuesday (10th) St Ives Jazz Club are staging Amina Figarova at The Western. 'She plays compelling, artful and heartfelt changes on the urbane, bluesy lyricism originally developed by the likes of Miles Davis'. Doors open at 8.00 pm, music starts at 9.00 pm. Entry on the door is £9.00 / £6.00 (members).

Wednesday (11th) sees St Ives Folk at The Western. Starts at 8.00 pm free entry.

On Thursday (12th) there is a Gala Concert at St Ives Guildhall - part of the Speech and Drama Festival. A chance to see some great young local performers. It starts at 7.00 pm, entry is £2.00 on the door, under 16s free.

On Friday (13th) is the lalest in Will Sleath's World Classics concerts at St Ives Arts Club. This month it is Music of Azerbaijan - an ensemble of six 'Ashig' musicians featuring saz, balaban, percussion & vocals.

Exhibitions this week include:
If you fancy a night at the movies St Ives Cinema's programme this week includes:
  • Couple's Retreat
  • Cirque Du Freak
  • Saw VI
  • The Invention of Lying
  • Fantastic Mr Fox
  • Up
  • 35 Rhums
  • Aliens in the Attic
As ever more is on my:
St Ives Events Calendar

Please let me know of any events you would like to see included.

You can also post your own events if you join:
St Ives Social Network


Friday, 6 November 2009

St Ives Cornwall - Blogs


Blog - Love Stitching Red - Carolyn Saxby


I thought I'd feature a few other St Ives blogs that are well worth a look.

Love Stitching Red is by textile artist Carolyn Saxby. Her blog is full of wonderful images of her work, wildlife, nature and other things that inspire her work.

St Ives Lizzy is new to the St Ives blogosphere. Her main preoccupation so far seems to be The X-Factor. But Liz always has plenty to say in the "real world" of St Ives so no doubt there will be lots more on the blog. Worth watching.

Sea Blue Sky and Abstracts is by St Ives artist Lesley Ninnes. She writes really well about her work and life in St Ives, illustrated with some great pictures.

Art Space Gallery (Lesley is a member) have a nice blog featuring members work, latest exhibitions and news about the gallery.

Photos and Philosophy is by Jacob ross Bodilly and the main focus is on photography. Some great photos of scenes in St Ives - very different from the usual pics of the bay and the harbour found on other blogs (like mine !). Also lots of photos taken elsewhere.

Given that St Ives is such a hotbed of creative activity I'm surprised that there aren't more local blogs.

Let me know if I've missed any - and think about starting your own, its great fun.

Thursday, 5 November 2009

St Ives Cornwall - Bonfire Night


Porthminster Beach St Ives Cornwall - Novenber 5th 2009


Wednesday, 4 November 2009

St Ives Cornwall - Autumn

St Ives Cornwall - Storm Passes Over


St Ives Cornwall - Blue Skies Return


Autumn has really got under way in St Ives today - some sunshine, blustery heavy showers and cold winds.

I've ventured out a few times to get some air and enjoy the views. I really do like Autumn !

I took some pictures of the contrasting skies as a heavy storm came over then passed on eastwards.

But mostly I've been working in my office as usual on various Internet projects.

I've started updating my St Ives What's On Calendar again - with events running up to Christmas at Arts Club, St Ives Theatre, Jazz Club, Tate Gallery and The Western. Please do let me know of any events that I can add !

I've also been working on a new version of my OneStIves website - with a much better design. Its still nowhere near complete as I've got a lot of content to transfer from you old site, plus some brand new stuff. Check it out - comments and ideas welcome:

I'm also working to extend and improve the St Ives Network site - a sort of "FaceBook for St Ives". Please do join if you're interested - you can add your own blog posts, events, pictures and all sorts of other stuff. I'm hoping to really build this site up over the coming weeks:

More coming soon.