St Ives Local March April 2021

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MARCH/APRIL 2021 | ISSUE 37

A splash of colour on the branch line Raising the roof at St Ives Coastwatch Tales from the Sloop

LIVE LOCAL, LOVE LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

Welcome...

o, a few weeks back we learned that the G7 summit of world leaders will be held in Carbis Bay in June.

We were in the top Co-op car park when the embargoed press release pinged into the inbox. We had to check the source, the Cabinet Office, to make sure it wasn’t a joke. But no. The world’s focus will be here in early summer.

If the politicians arrive by train perhaps the new location signage will be in place. Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and Great Western Railway teamed up to create a competition for artists, and the winning entries feature in our centre spread. Great work by all involved!

As we go to press, we’re waiting to hear about the government’s roadmap – that’s roadmap, not timetable – for coming out of lockdown. While everyone wants people’s safety to come first, St Ives thrives on its busy community and, of course, its visitors. Hopefully it won’t be long before we’re enjoying the shops, the galleries, the events, the pubs, restaurants and other attractions that we know so well again.

Watch our website, stiveslocal.uk, and social media for the latest news on our publications and for regular updates on what’s happening in an around St Ives. If you’d like to submit news, events, or stories of local interest, email hello@stiveslocal.uk. Once again, thanks to John Chard (john-chard-images.co.uk) for our cover picture, as we look forward to the return of sunny days. Oh, and visitors …

Liz and Darren Norbury

Editors

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More than 8,000 copies delivered and distributed to homes and businesses in St Ives, Carbis Bay, Lelant and the surrounding area While we aim to provide a quality publication for local reference, we cannot be held responsible for the services or reputation of any of the advertisers or for any content or advertisements or editorial herein.

Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the publishers. The magazines are produced on paper sourced from FSC approved paper mills and printed using vegetable-based inks. They are happy to be recycled, but please pass to a friend first!

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Distilled and crafted in North Cornwall

MADE with UNIQUE BOTANICALS and CORNISH SPRING WATER ALL OF OUR GINS ARE SUGAR FREE with NO ADDITIVES

Come and see our distillery - free entry and free tasters Open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday Pink House on A39 Penvose Cottage, St Tudy, PL30 3NP

Buy online at: www.rockgincornish.com or call 01208 851718

Advertising feature

Cornish Rock Gin: Our Story Rock Gin was an idea born, while – as was our ritual – we were walking our dog, Blue, on Rock Beach. A casual remark of “Why don’t you make gin?” was the start of it all. Once the licences were in place, we imported our still, which we named Bonanza Boy, after our favourite racehorse.

Bonanza Boy now has a stable of six different gins and four rums, all blended and bottled in our distillery in the beautiful, wooded Allen Valley. Rock Distillery is in a truly spectacular and dramatic spot close to the North Cornish coast, so we try to make our gins and rums equally spectacular.

fabulous gentle gin enriched with blue gardenia flower. This was followed by our first venture into a fruity gin, with the Rock Orange Sunset, a subtle orange marmalade tasting gin. Finally, we have made Rock Cherry Kiss, a lovely rounded gin with a gentle cherry flavour.

We first made our original classic gin, which is extremely smooth and leaves a lingering taste on the tongue. This was followed by our Pink Rock, a very dry gin enhanced by fermented Champagne grapes, which has a real Champagne aftertaste. Next came our Cornish Gold, again, a very smooth gin, but with more than a hint of cubeb pepper. Then we wanted a gin in honour of our dog, so we made Rock Blue Angel gin, a

We have now started making rum, beginning with our traditional Cornish Spiced Rum, which is a very deep golden colour, with a pleasant, clean taste. We followed this with our Cornish White Espresso Rum, with the coffee being imported from our nephews’ farm in Kenya.

This is a unique drink which tastes like alcoholic coffee, but has to be distilled five times to make it clear white.

Our next quest was to make Cornish Red Rum, which is lightly spiced and enhanced with plump, red cherries. Finally, we made our Cornish Happy Valley White Spice, a clear rum gently spiced with added vanilla.

All our gins and rums are tasted by our friends and neighbours, to make sure we have reached perfection before they are released for you to try. www.rockgincornish.com

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Conservatories

Local News Funding gained for NCI roof project The fundraising of the National Coastwatch Institution in St Ives, like so many other charities, has suffered enormously in the fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic – so the branch was hugely thankful when it received the biggest donation in its 21-year history.

The good news came after Trevor Peake, St Ives NCI’s fundraising officer, appealed for help to replace the roof at the iconic station on the Island.

The Morrisons Foundation pledged £10,800 to fund the entire project, which is scheduled to start in May. “We were absolutely astounded when they came back saying they would donate the full cost,” said St Ives NCI station manager Helen Simpson. “Over the years the building has been subject to the elements of all weathers, including the sea, and the time has come to take on some substantial repairs as the roof is in need of serious attention.

“Since Covid restrictions were introduced, visitors to the watch station have dwindled, and therefore donations are virtually non-existent, so it is greatly appreciated when, through numerous requests for help, a company donates.”

Morrisons Foundation trustee David Scott said: “We are pleased to be supporting St Ives NCI with funds to provide essential repairs to the facility’s roof. We know that this will ensure improvements to the strength of the radar scanners and ultimately protect people on the coast and offshore for years to come.”

© St Ives NCI fundraising officer Trevor Peake (front) and project manager Roger Geddes

As well as affecting fundraising, with supermarket collections halted and the station’s popular second-hand bookstore having to close during the three lockdowns, coronavirus regulations have also put a strain on operational resources.

Social-distancing rules mean that the usual two-person watches have had to be cut to one watchkeeper per session. The close confines of the station also mean that St Ives NCI, which currently has 45 volunteers, has been unable to recruit and train any new watchkeepers for almost a year.

Anyone wishing to become a St Ives NCI watchkeeper can apply to join a waiting list.

Training will resume as soon as possible.

Details at www.nci-stives.org

Elections: Have you registered to vote?

Residents are being urged to make sure they are on the Electoral Register if they want to vote in May. On Thursday 6th May, elections will be held for Cornwall Council, St Ives Town Council, and for the post of Devon and Cornwall Police Crime Commissioner.

Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – in person, by post, or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

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Cornwall Council is putting arrangements in place to ensure polling stations are safe places to vote. Voters can expect many of the measures they’ve become used to over recent months, such as the use of hand sanitiser, social distancing, floor markings, and face coverings.

To apply for a postal vote, visit tinyurl.com/4ucaqggv

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Where would the town be without it?

One of, if not the most extensive range of paints, DIY, homeware, electrical goods – you name it, we have it!

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Local News Foodshare: Gleaning food from the land St Ives Community Foodshare has branched out from collecting surplus waste food from supermarkets and has teamed up with the Cornwall Gleaning Network to glean surplus veg from farms.

Splattenridden Farm, at Lelant Downs, allowed them to go gleaning on their field and the team picked loads of kale, Brussels sprouts, and four different types of cabbage, to add to the usual food that they distribute.

The Foodshare group’s main surplus food sources are the three St Ives Co-ops, Pengenna Pasties, The Cornish Bakery, as well as Asda, M&S, Lidl, and Tesco. They also receive donations from other sources which allows them to buy additional ingredients for cooking up meals.

The surplus food is available to the community to collect, free of charge, four times a week – Tuesday at 12.30pm and Friday at 5.30pm from the Palemon

Best car park, and Thursday at 5.30pm and Sunday at 11.30am from St Ives Rugby Club. Twice a week, there are also deliveries to those who need them.

To find out more, visit stivesorchard.co.uk/foodshare

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CLINIC every Tuesday 12 - 5pm St Ives RFC, TR26 1ER (FHP registered, SAC. Dip) To book appointment call: 07946 117 007 or E: stivesfootcare@outlook.com (& home visits)

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To advertise please contact us on 07444 199081 or hello@stiveslocal.uk 28/02/2020 16:20

Book Review

by Alice Harandon, manager of St Ives Bookseller

The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex £14.99, Picador (signed Independent Bookshop editions available) Cornwall, 1972. Three keepers vanish from a remote lighthouse, miles from the shore.

The entrance door is locked from the inside. The clocks have stopped. The Principal Keeper’s weather log describes a mighty storm, but the skies have been clear all week.

What happened to those three men, out on the tower? The heavy sea whispers their names.

The tide shifts beneath the swell, drowning ghosts. Can their secrets ever be recovered from the waves?

Twenty years later, the women they left behind are still struggling to move on.

Helen, Jenny and Michelle should have been united by the tragedy, but instead it drove them apart.

And then a writer approaches them. He wants to give them a chance to tell their side of the story. But only in confronting their darkest fears can the truth begin to surface …

The Lamplighters is a heart-stopping mystery rich with the salty air of the Cornish coast, and an unforgettable story of love and grief that explores the way our fears blur the line between the real and the imagined.

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The Paddle Board Bible

by David Price £18.99, Adlard Coles Nautical This complete guide gives you everything you need to know to get started, and much more besides.

All the basics are here, from essential equipment (boards, paddles, clothing, and simple safety gear) to essential techniques (getting on, getting moving and, just as importantly, landing and getting off!).

Along with challenges and games to play with your new paddle boarding buddies, the book explores places to go and things to see, from rivers and canals to coastlines and travel further afield. The book also explains all the important stuff you need to understand about weather, tides, waves, and currents.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro £20, Faber and Faber (A limited number of signed, Independent Bookshop editions available) The first novel by Kazuo Ishiguro since he was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature, Klara and the Sun tells the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, who, from her place in the store, watches carefully the behaviour of those who come in to browse, and of those who pass

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on the street outside. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her.

A thrilling book that offers a look at our changing world through the eyes of an unforgettable narrator, and one that explores the fundamental question: What does it mean to love?

The Last Bear by Hannah Gold £12.99, HarperCollins Perfect for readers of 8+ and beautifully illustrated throughout, it is deeply moving and beautifully told. There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to this remote Arctic outpost for six months. But one endless summer night, April meets one. He

is starving, lonely, and a long way from home.

Determined to save him, April begins the most important journey of her life...

This moving story will win the hearts of children the world over and show them that no one is too young or insignificant to make a difference. The Last Bear is a celebration of the love between a child and an animal, a battle cry for our world, and an irresistible adventure with a heart as big as a bear’s.

Online Event

11th March at 7pm: In conversation with Ed Caesar, author of The Moth and the Mountain Get a signed copy of the book, together with a ticket for the event.

Please see www.stives-bookseller.co.uk for more details.

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St Ives Farmers’ Market: A chat with Ian Flindall of Chypraze Farm How long have you been farming at Chypraze?

It was my mother-in-law’s farm. She came to Cornwall as a Land Army girl in the Second World War and married a local tenant farmer. When he died, in the late 1960s, she bought the farm for £10,000. The fact that she was earning enough money from 40 cattle and a few pigs to buy a 40-acre farm shows what food was worth then! When my mother-in-law died in 2003, my wife Fiona and I were living in London with our teenage children.

One reason we kept the farm was the location – it’s perched on a cliff above the sea at Morvah. And it seemed right that we should try to keep it in the family, when my mother-on-law had put so much work into it.

How did you begin to turn it into a sustainable business?

We had no machinery and no livestock, but we did know the farm, and I had experience in habitat management. We signed an agreement with Natural England to manage 70 acres of cliff land to make the habitat more diverse – it had been overtaken by gorse and bracken. Natural England wanted us to have a mosaic of plant species and some grazing, partly to encourage choughs to return, as they were nearly extinct. Milk prices were low, so milking wasn’t an option, but we thought we could maybe find a niche producing meat for local markets. We now have 200 rare breed saddleback pigs, and 50 cattle – Hereford and Highland. Our absolute priority is the welfare of our animals: they are all out in the open, and we don’t use hormones or routine

antibiotics. They have a good life, and the best views of the Scillies!

How did you move into the wedding industry?

In 2005, a couple walked into the yard and said: “Can we get married here?” We looked around at our derelict cow parlours and thought they must be joking! But I renovated the barns, and by the following year, we had 13 couples wanting to get married at the farm. My wife used to be a head teacher, so she knew about organising events.

We work with cake-makers, dressmakers, bands, magicians … and our lovely staff help brides plan their day. We’ve done our best to move weddings which had to be cancelled because of Covid. The farm side picked up in lockdown, as people were interested in having local food delivered.

What are your plans for the farm now?

We’re trying to be as nature-friendly as we can: we have a small wind turbine, solar panels and ground source heat pumps. We also have 5km of Cornish hedges to look after. It’s a wildlife haven – and we do have choughs now. Our aim is to keep this traditional farm going. I couldn’t do it without my son Mervyn.

He is the brawn and the brains. He married the girl from the farm next door – they are proper farmers!

Find out more about Chypraze Farm at chyprazefarm.co.uk/ and thecornishweddingbarn.co.uk/

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Liz’s Quizzes While pubs remain closed, Liz’s Quizzes remain online (Wednesday and Saturdays), attracting not just local players but teams from around the country. The quizzes raise money for good causes, and at the time of going to press have brought in more than £8,000 in under a year!

Find out more by following St Ives Liz’s Quizzes on Facebook.

Quiz answers are on page 34.

1. Which late British comedian appeared in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as the Toymaker?

2. According to the proverb, what shouldn’t you look in the mouth?

3. Which war officially ended in 1856 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris?

4. In The Flintstones, what was the name of the sabre-toothed tiger?

5. In the human body, what appear when the sun activates your melanocytes?

6. What was the name of Abba’s last number one hit in the UK? 7. In which decade of the 19th century did London Zoo open in Regent’ Park?

8. In which country does the Zambesi river reach the sea?

9. Which famous actress married her seventh husband in the grounds of Michael Jackson’s house?

10. It is said that if it rains on St Swithin’s Day it will rain for 40 days and 40 nights. In which month is St Swithin’s Day? 11. What is the middle name of the writer CS Lewis?

12. Marvin Lee Aday is the real name of which singer/musician?

13. After its capital city, Bergen is the second most populated city in which European country?

14. The historic chalk figure, The Long Man of Wilmington, was vandalised earlier this year. What had the vandals done to alter his appearance?

15. ‘We scare because we care’ was a tagline for which 2001 film?

16. Which king of France was also known as The Sun King?

17. Which late 1960s/early 1970s children’s TV character lived in a picnic basket with his friend Teddy, a Teddy bear, and a ragdoll called Looby Lou? 18. A bibliophile is a term for someone who collects what?

19. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards are more commonly known as what?

20. Talisker Skye is a brand of which distilled spirit?

21. Which planet in our solar system is furthest from the Earth?

22. In Spain, what type of shop is a Carneceria?

23. On which birthday would one expect to receive a message from the Queen?

24. In fashion, block, kitten, and stiletto are types of what?

25. Who was the first member of Take That to have a solo number one?

26. The term ‘hit the sack’ refers to which daily activity?

27. The Zhou dynasty is the longest lasting dynasty of which modern day country?

28. In which English city is the headquarters of Barclays Bank?

29. Who won the 2017 best actress Oscar for her part in the film La La Land?

30. Between 2014 and 2019, the London Marathon was won four times by a runner from which country?

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St Ives Library Books for children – and adults too

Welcome to St Ives LIbrary and Information Service Our opening times remain Monday-Saturday, 9.30am-4.00pm We would love to be able to say that we will be fully open by the time you read this.

Sadly, we are unable to be sure at this stage. We are currently open for ‘click and collect’ and the use of one computer.

We have a wide range of books, including junior books. Please go to www.cornwall.gov.uk/library to order.You can also download e-books and e-audio books. If you would like us to select some books for you, please phone 01736 796297 or email stives.library@liscornwall.org.uk Returned books are placed in quarantine for 72 hours, so please be patient if you have reserved a book.

We continue to offer a home delivery service for those housebound or self-isolating. if you, or anyone you know, would appreciate a delivery of books, please let us know.

We appreciate your support and continued patience during this time. Please sanitise your hands on entry, and wear a mask. We are doing everything we can to keep you safe.

For more information phone 01736 796297 or check for updates on Facebook

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Recipe: Chickpea, pepper, and spinach curry Another recipe from Daniel Rouncefield, AKA The Cornish Chef. Daniel brings the restaurant to your home, cooking for special occasions and also delivering ready-made meals (very popular during lockdown!). He’s also available for buffets, weddings, and private chef hire. Follow him on Instagram @the.cornishchef Ingredients For the naan 250g self-raising flour 2tsp castor sugar 2tbsp olive oil 120ml milk Pinch salt For the curry 1 clove garlic 1 red chilli 1 onion, diced 260g spinach 1tbsp garam masala 1/2tsp turmeric 1tsp ground cumin 400g tin chickpeas, drained 3 mixed peppers, diced 1 tin chopped tomatoes 1 thumb-sized piece ginger, peeled

Method Whizz the ginger, garlic, and chilli in a blender until it forms a paste. Fry in a pan with a teaspoon of olive oil until fragrant. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2 minutes before adding the spices. Add the chickpeas, peppers, and chopped tomatoes, with a splash of water. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add the spinach until wilted and season.

For the naan bread, in a bowl add the flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the centre and add the milk and oil a bit at a time, mixing with two fingers until combined. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes to form a smooth dough, put in a bowl, cover loosely, and put in a warm place for 15 minutes. Once rested, split the dough into 5 equal balls and roll out into the classic teardrop shape. Oil both sides of the naan breads. In a dry pan on a medium heat fry the naan breads for about 2 minutes each side until starting to char. Leave on a wire rack to cool.

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Welcome to St Ives: The art of the railway sign With maintenance work completed, it was decided that what was missing on the St Ives branch line were colourful signs for what is one of Cornwall’s great tourist attractions. Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and Great Western Railway teamed up to create a competition for artists, and the results were amazing.

Judges selected entries from Darcy Flint and Marianne Thomas as the winners. The completed signs will be launched this spring. However, with so many amazing entries, it seemed a waste not to give the runners-up public exposure, too.

Rebecca Catterall, development officer at the Rail Partnership, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to receive so many excellent submissions. A huge thanks to everyone who took part and to our team of judges. As the standard was so high, we decided in the judging we would like to produce a poster this summer to be displayed at stations along the line, featuring all the runners-up.”

Describing his winning artwork, Darcy Flint said: “The image is full of direct motifs. In the centre of the image is a mineshaft paying homage to Peter Lanyon’s seminal image, St Just, whilst forms similar to those used by Barbara Hepworth are scattered throughout. The work of Ben Nicholson is mirrored specifically in the top left of the landscape, the futuristic work of Naum Gabo influenced the construction on the left-hand side of the beach, and finally the little row of houses is a salute to the great Alfred Wallis.

“The exaggerated scale of the buildings, coupled with the boldness of forms and colour, are an attempt to create an image which can be appreciated both on the platform and from the train. In the image I wanted to highlight monuments which are key to St Ives’ and Carbis Bay’s economy and social landscape, with the mining and hospitality industries key to the communities’ prosperity.”

Carbis Bay winner: Darcy Flint | darcyflint.com Lelant winner: Marianne Thomas facebook.com/inkandafrotattoostudio/photos

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Fellow winner Marianne Thomas said: “As an artist, and like so many before me, my artwork focuses on the unique light that St Ives is famous for. This part of the Cornish coast is trimmed by the hedgerow and I have used the beauty and form of it to create my surfer with blackberry bush hair.

“The picturesque St Erth bridge is the start to the journey, with its red river and seagulls

accompanying the surfer through the clouds on a bright red surfboard. Whilst paintbrushes and art tools are being stored in the cloud amongst the rocks and flowers to signify the arrival in St Ives.”

The project was part-funded by the Community Rail Development Fund, which is backed by the Department for Transport and the Community Rail Network.

Featured shortlisted entries:

Frederick Davis | fgdavis.com

dark_artist m.com/caroline_wallis_ Caroline Wallis | instagra

Megs Johnson | megsjohnson.com

Joanne Tyler | joannetyler.com Sally Carver | stivesglassstudio.co.uk

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St Ives Archive: Tales from the Sloop The Sloop Inn is a grade II listed building with a colourful history. The sign outside claims that there has been an inn at this spot on The Wharf since 1312, and the present Sloop dates from the 17th century.

In the late 1700s, the Sloop appears to have been in the ownership of the Stephens family of Tregenna Castle, but at the turn of the 20th century, Mrs Elizabeth Baragwanath was the landlady. Her family had lived in the house for almost 50 years.

In an article in the West Briton at the time, Mrs Baragwanath told of two local smugglers, known as Old Tubs and Old Worms, who, it would appear, were in charge of the “swag” in secret cellars in Hick’s Court and other hiding places. Other records show that in July of 1898 Mrs Baragwanath herself was charged with harbouring uncustomed goods.

Surprisingly, the “uncustomed” goods were tobacco, not spirits. She was brought to trial in the Old Town Hall, above the Market House, and the evidence against her being so strong, she pleaded guilty. Mrs Baragwanath’s fine was to pay treble the value of the duty owed, which came to £7 14s 3d (approximately £7.75p) – a lot of money then.

Mrs Baragwanath also told of a “savage conflict” between St Ives fishermen and townsfolk against an Irishman named George Patrick Dunn and his supporters.

Dunn was thought to have played an active and highly discreditable role in a parliamentary election: bribery and corruption were quite commonplace in those days. Mrs Baragwanath talked of hundreds of fishermen gathering on the foreshore (presumably pretty drunk, as one account reported that “beer flowed like water”) prepared to fight the results of the election, which the local people believed had been rigged. All sorts of weapons were used in the fight, including sticks, stones, and fists.

One description of the Sloop describes it as being “a low, yellow-washed house with tiny dormer windows and a two centuries-old slate roof”. It describes the interior as looking like “the deck of an old 74-line battleship – all beams and timber”. Not so very different to how it looks today, then. The upstairs room “would be filled by a four-poster bed – the other rooms being even smaller”.

The photo shown is dated 1898, and shows Pudding Bag Lane to the right of the Sloop. This lane, which stood where the entrance to Fish Street is now, was demolished just before the start of the Second World War in 1939.

At one time, the walls of the Sloop where covered with caricatures of well-known locals, drawn by Harry Rountree of St Ives. Years later, the artist Hyman Segal also sketched local characters: an example of these is shown here. The sketch is of Abraham (or A’bram as he was known) Curnow.

A’bram was the Town Crier, a road sweeper and was much respected by all during the 1950s and1960s.

The Sloop is as popular today as it has always been, and is known far and wide.

I can’t imagine St Ives, without it, can you?

Jan Harris

St Ives Archive’s Research Centre is based at Wesley Methodist Church, St Ives Road, Carbis Bay, St Ives, TR26 2SF. For information about current opening hours, phone 01736 796408, email admin@stivesarchive.org, or visit www.stivesarchive.org.

The Archive opened in 1996 and is staffed by volunteers. We are always looking for people to join our enthusiastic team – there are opportunities to learn new skills, carry out research, assist visitors and take part in fundraising events.

We offer a valuable service for anyone wishing to obtain historic information about the town, free of charge. The Archive holds over 20,000 photographs and numerous documents covering fascinating subjects such as art, maritime heritage, tourism and traditional customs, and we also have extensive resources relating to the history of St Ives families. Why not come and visit us?

Registered charity number 1136882

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Property: Never has a move west been so popular For most of the past two decades Cornwall has been a popular relocation destination, but the pandemic seems to have boosted its popularity even further.

It’s a set of circumstances that couldn’t be foreseen. Walk the streets of the City of London, for instance – the actual part that has been the beating heart of Britain’s commerce for some many years – and all is quiet. The offices are deserted, the sandwich bars and pubs closed up.

People are working from home, and many will not return to the office. And if they’re going to keep working remotely, well, there’s no reason why they need to be in London.

Land Trust is so important. The group is looking to acquire and develop affordable housing and work spaces, so vital in a town where there is a big hospitality industry and high property prices.

And so, while it’s good news for buyers and renters looking to acquire property in the capital, it’s putting more pressure on housing stocks elsewhere in the country. And nowhere more so than St Ives. Sale prices in St Ives rose 12 per cent in 2020, according to property website RightMove, which shows there were plenty of homes coming to the market and exchanging despite the pandemic restrictions. But the area’s popularity with tourists means it’s now going to be near the top of a list when people are looking to buy a new main home, let alone second property.

This doesn’t help local buyers, of course, unless they have deep pockets or come from wealthy families, which is why the campaign for more affordable housing by the St Ives Community

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According to RightMove, terraced properties were most popular with St Ives buyers last year, selling for an average of £412,188. Flats sold for an average of £296,443, with detached properties fetching £612,511. The overall average price was £416,892. Move a few miles away, however, and it’s a different picture.

Prices in St Erth in 2020 were down 32 per cent on the previous year, and 35 per cent down on their 2013 peak. The average cost of a property in the village last year was £327,000.

As if there wasn’t enough interest in the area, the eyes of the world will be on Carbis Bay in the summer when it hosts the G7 summit of world leaders. The scheme clearly pre-dates the summit announcement, but developer Derrington Group will be hoping it boosts sales of its 37 two- and three-bedroom Oceanview apartments, on land above the Carbis Bay Hotel and estate (pictured above left). You never know, perhaps Joe Biden or Angela Merkel will be sufficiently impressed by the view to purchase a property for their retirement. Now that would put local prices up!

To advertise please contact us on 07444 199081 or hello@stiveslocal.uk

Homeowners, make yourself at home with our holiday property experts We’re here to make your holiday home a firm favourite with guests year after year.

Jessie’s Place Ref: P00495

Find out more and let with us today

cornishhorizons.co.uk or call us on 0800 3689358

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23

Trevena Cross Nurseries: Caring for plants old and new After months of preparation behind the scenes in the nursery, the garden centre at Trevena Cross is ready to spring into action. Gardens are waking up: colour is starting to erupt all over the place – with some of our favourite spring bulbs leading the way – and gardeners are looking forward to finally getting their green fingers properly dirty once again!

It’s time to rejuvenate the garden, and give some attention to the plants that have weathered the winter storms now that the last of the most challenging weather is behind us (fingers crossed!).

A little TLC is certainly in order, as Trevena Cross owner Graham explains: “High rainfall is likely to have leached a lot of the nutrients and fertiliser out of the soil, so top of the list is ensuring that your plants get a good feed as things dry up – especially those in pots, tubs and planters, which are solely reliant on you for sustenance.

Growing the varieties that Graham believes will most appeal to his customers, and truly ‘wow’ in the garden for an entire season – including many that won’t be found elsewhere – sets the garden centre apart from anywhere else locally. Particularly noteworthy (and a huge hit in recent years) are Trevena’s incredible value patio 4-packs, which have the potential to offer colour through until Christmas.

Plus, with a great grow-your-own range to feast on, an outdoor living range to tempt you, and so much more available at Trevena Cross this spring, why not pop along for a look around? We promise you won’t be disappointed!

“A good slow-release fertiliser (like our own Trevena Cross fertiliser) is always a great option: feed once, and your plants are fed for the season, meaning you only need worry about watering. A good top dressing of fresh compost in containers, and a mulch of bark or compost on beds and borders, will also be appreciated for a ‘spring boost’ and weed deterrent – once initial de-weeding has taken place!”

For more information about Trevena Cross, visit www.trevenacross.co.uk, get in touch at sales@trevenacross.co.uk or visit the Facebook page /TrevenaCross.

Trevena Cross, Breage, Helston, TR13 9PY 01736 763880 . trevenacross.co.uk

Once you’ve looked out for the existing plantings, it’s time to think about new ones – the most exciting part of the spring season! As grower of more than 90% of its own plant stocks, Trevena Cross is hugely excited to share its spring bedding and patio displays with all its customers this season. The Trevena Cross offering will go far beyond anything the garden centre has ever grown or shown before, and everything will be displayed across brand new sloping benches, acquired for the specific purpose of the garden centre’s patio and bedding season.

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To advertise please contact us on 07444 199081 or hello@stiveslocal.uk

Beautiful gardens start right here...

VISIT

the locally renowned Garden Kitchen Café on site

Grown with passion and expertise...

Big or small, your garden deserves to be beautiful, and full of thriving plants that have been grown with passion and expertise. That’s how we grow, and have been growing in West Cornwall since 1976.

Less than 30mins from St Ives, TR13 9PY

01736 763880 | trevenacross.co.uk

Home and Garden

Garden Stories

A place of peace and prayer Every Easter, daffodils and primroses bloom on the banks of the peaceful garden at Epiphany House, a retreat and conference centre just a mile from the centre of Truro. By the end of April, there will be bluebells, rhododendrons and cherry trees.

With sweeping lawns, woodland walk and views across the Idless Valley, the garden offers visitors a place for rest and reflection. One of its newest features is a labyrinth, a curved path leading to a central point. It is an echo of an ancient tradition found in many different cultures: labyrinths have been used as a focus for prayer by Christians for more than a thousand years.

The labyrinth has a star at the centre, a symbol adopted by the Community of the Epiphany, the order of Anglican nuns who lived at the house until 2003. Epiphany House director Janette Mullet said: “The labyrinth is open to all, and we hope that it will be a place of spiritual connection and insight for those who walk its path.”

It was installed by Epiphany House volunteers David and Anthea Lovelock, assisted by gardener Michael Harbage.

“People always seem

to want to go to a

garden when they

need somewhere

quiet,” said Michael,

who remembers

what the garden looked like when he began the task of restoring it 16 years ago.

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“A lot of dead shrubs and trees had to be taken out, and we had to bring in lorryloads of topsoil to cover the stumps. There was also a lot of Cupressus macrocarpa in front of the house, originally planted to screen it from the outside world, so we thinned it out so people could view the cathedral and the river. I’ve put in large herbaceous borders in the front lawn.”

There is also a memorial garden created to honour Mother Constance, who was Reverend Mother of the Community of the Epiphany from1968 to 1994. Michael said: “By the time I came here, the beds were full of overgrown weeds, so we took all the plants out, and put in grass seed and chippings, with a bird bath in the middle. The hedges in the memorial garden are in the shape of the Epiphany Star.”

Epiphany House is a member of the Quiet Garden Movement, which promotes access to outdoor space for prayer and reflection. “When you stand here listening to the birds singing, you wouldn’t know you were in Truro,” said Michael.

“We have a great variety of birds, including robins, blackbirds, thrushes, chaffinches, and woodpeckers. There are also squirrels and rabbits, and I have seen the odd fox.”

Epiphany House had to pause its programme of retreats and quiet days because of Covid-19, but the charitable trust which runs the centre aims to welcome visitors again soon. Chair of the trustees Revd Leslie Attwod said: “I believe we are called to be people of hope. Hope looks forward; hope is about what is to come.”

For more information about Epiphany House and garden, visit http://www.epiphanyhouse.co.uk/ about-us/

To advertise please contact us on 07444 199081 or hello@stiveslocal.uk

TREGLISSON, WHEAL ALFRED ROAD, HAYLE TR27 5JT

LOCALLY GROWN PLANTS

A select range of exotic and unusual plants, including Acacias, Anemones, Agapanthus, Bananas, Cannas, Eucalyptus and Restios.

Patio plants, bedding, hanging baskets and planted tubs and containers now in stock.

Opening times:- Monday to Saturday 9am until 5pm Sunday – 10am until 4pm (FOLLOW SIGNS FROM LIDL) TEL: 01736 752888 MOB: 07817 435705 FACEBOOK: @HAYLE PLANTS ejmichell@btconnect.com (FREE PARKING AND DOGS WELCOME)

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27

Travel: Ideas for a sustainable trip

by Jo and Paul Mooney of Stunning Escapes

What is sustainable travel?

It’s a framework to encourage travellers and travel companies to look at ways to minimize the impact of travel on the environment, and grow economic development in regions affected by tourism. We can all take steps to make our travel experience count in a positive way. There will always be a dilemma between travel and sustainability, but we’ve seen first-hand the good travel can do, and there’s much more we can all do.

The Seychelles This spectacular archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean is home to fabulous beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves.

The Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Foundation has a list of travel tips for visitors, ranging from avoiding single-use plastics to choosing which fish dish to select from the menu in your hotel. Hotels can apply for a sustainable label, which requires them to show the positive impact they are having on the environment, and to continue to demonstrate their commitment.

Scotland This was the first country to sign up to Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, which encourages the tourism industry to reduce carbon emissions. Thousands of acres are being rewilded to enable nature to flourish.

This should allow otters, puffins, deer, beavers, sea eagles, and many other species to develop and settle into habitats. This will be a huge boost to the growing natural tourism economy.

The Maldives The tourism industry in the Maldives recognises the need to protect the natural wonders which are critical to the islands’ survival. Tourists are drawn to their warm turquoise waters and spectacular coral reefs, so

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efforts are now under way to reduce environmental impact while ensuring local communities can still prosper. If you want to explore the Maldives sustainably a great place to start is a fantastic eco lodge on one of the inhabited islands, where you can contribute to the community by enjoying their restaurants and cafes. Or spend a week aboard a locally-chartered boat. We had a magical experience snorkelling with giant manta rays as the sun was just coming up.

Copenhagen One of the greenest cities in the world, Copenhagen aims to be carbon neutral by 2025. How many places can you swim in an urban harbour? The waterways of Copenhagen are pure enough to do so safely.

Copenhill is a wonder of architecture: a powerplant that turns waste into clean energy, but also a tourist attraction with a year-round ski slope on its roof and a green wood area for hiking. This is a city dedicated to cycling, and on nearly every corner, there’s an organic food cafe where you can fuel up!

Galapagos It’s hard to talk about sustainability without mentioning the Galapagos. Many of our clients love visiting this special place, and the money from tourism that goes into conservation efforts is critical. Our own planned trip will be carbon offset, and we’ll stay in local accommodations and travel on local shared transport.

We will abide by a 14-point list to minimise our impact on the destination, and travel as a small group. Our local guide will be able to tell us about the issues facing the island, and guide us further on protecting them. Our twins are nine, and already we know that our highlights will be swimming beside sea lions, snorkelling in marine-rich waters, meeting the Galapagos tortoises and seeing dolphins and whales from small boats.

Many of these destinations are bookable up to 2023.

Call Stunning Escapes on 01872 248534 – we’ll be delighted to help you!

Paul and Jo x

To advertise please contact us on 07444 199081 or hello@stiveslocal.uk

Ski | Tailor-Made Holidays | Packages | Cruise Your independent travel agent based in Cornwall Joanne & Paul Mooney

t: 01872 248 534 - e: stunningescapes@notjusttravel.com https://stunningescapes.notjusttravel.com We take pride in understanding exactly what you want from your trip and delivering it with you every step of the way!

Call us today on 01872 248 534 so we can start planning your next stunning escape.

@NJTStunEscapes Please mention St. Ives Local when contacting advertisers

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Plastic Free St Ives: Polystyrene bodyboards – please say no!

by Emma Fashokun, Cornish Gems Guest Experience Manager St Ives is famed for its blue seas and sandy beaches.

Families gather on sunny and not-so-sunny days for fun and games, ice creams and laughter – and over the last few years a staple of the good times has been catching waves on a brightly coloured polystyrene bodyboard. Cheap, light, and easy to carry, these boards provide hours of fun in the surf for children and adults alike.

When you stroll around St Ives in the height of the season, you can see these boards available to buy everywhere you look. The funky designs and low prices tempt visitors to purchase a treat for their children. But what happens when it’s time to go home? Are the boards taken and stored to bring back on next year’s holiday?

Unfortunately, the answer is mainly no. These boards are generally of a poor quality, and as they often snap after a few uses, they are destined for landfill – or worse, abandoned on the beach. When the boards are damaged, they release thousands of small particles of polystyrene into our seas. which harm our marine wildlife and won’t degrade for thousands of years.

We can do better! We are calling on shop owners to stop stocking these products. Two of St Ives’ beach shops, at Porthminster and Porthgwidden, have already discontinued their use.

Proprietor Paul Symons said: “We would prefer to sell items that are less disposable. We are also stocking metal and wood buckets and spades in the hope that people will choose these plastic-free alternatives.”

Cornish made wooden belly boards are available from Dick Pearce, the Cornish Gems shop, and other suppliers. These are made from sustainable materials and will last for years. There are several initiatives in the town to provide rental alternatives to polystyrene boards, including at the St Ives Surf School on Porthmeor beach.

Finally, let us as consumers tell the manufacturers and sellers of the boards, which are such a blight on our planet and our coastlines, that we reject these products by not buying them. We can all make a difference. When you’re tempted to buy a cheap, polystyrene bodyboard, please say no!

Environmental charities BeachCare and Surfers Against Sewage report cleaning up thousands of these boards every year. They are often manufactured in China, wrapped in protective plastic shrink wrap, and shipped thousands of miles across our globe – to be used a few times and discarded.

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To advertise please contact us on 07444 199081 or hello@stiveslocal.uk

wills

TP Wills & Probate.

Wills and Estate Planning Consultant.

“Where there is a will there is a way to protect your family” * WILLS * TRUSTS * ADVICE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS * POWER OF ATTORNEY * PROBATE ADVICE * CARE FEE PROTECTION Call Tim Poole

01736 758418 or 07900 323939

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Quick Crossword

Coffee Time Puzzles Across 6 Type of male (5) 8 Scattered rubbish (6) 9 Inhabitant of e.g. Helsinki (4) 10 Insensitive (8) 11 Biased (6) 13 Morsels (5) 15 Exclamation of contempt (3) 17 Renown (5) 18 General escape (6) 20 Elongate (8) 22 Religious practice (4) 23 Seventh planet (6) 24 Proof of being elsewhere (5) Down 1 Reasonable (8) 2 Atop (4) 3 Not in silence (5) 4 Short dagger (8) 5 Long fish (4) 7 Soak up (6) 12 Self-important (8) 14 Peak (8) 16 Rupture (6) 19 That group (5) 21 Lugs (4) 22 Restraint (4)

Sudoku

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All Answers on page 34

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To advertise please contact us on 07444 199081 or hello@stiveslocal.uk

Local Independent Family Business

St Ives & Hayle 01736 447070

www.saintsfunerals.co.uk

• • •

Private Church & wake facili@es Religious/Non Religious Welcome Pre-Paid Funeral Plans

Because we care….

We design beautiful bouquets and arrangements for weddings, and bespoke floral tributes for funerals. Losing someone close to you is never easy, and our aim is to create unique pieces to honour your loved one. We understand that flowers are a big part of the day, whether it is a wedding or a funeral, and we offer home visits every day of the week, and at any time.

Please mention St. Ives Local when contacting advertisers

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Liz’s Quizzes, answers 1. Benny Hill; 2. A Gift Horse; 3, The Crimean War; 4. Baby Puss; 5. Freckles; 6. Super Trouper; 7. 1820s; 8. Mozambique; 9. Elizabeth Taylor; 10. July; 11. Staples; 12. Meatloaf; 13. Norway; 14, Painted a facemask on him; 15. Monsters Inc; 16. Louis XIV; 17. Andy Pandy; 18. Books; 19. BAFTAs; 20. Whisky; 21. Neptune; 22. Butcher’s; 23. 100th; 24. Heels; 25. Gary Barlow; 26. Going to bed; 27. China; 28. London; 29. Emma Stone; 30. Kenya.

Local Directory Bookkeeping and office services Gillian Goodsman 8 Builders’ Merchants Ocean Supplies 36 Cleaning services Clean Image 31 Community Organisations Cornwall Council Adoption Service 17 St Ives Community Land Trust 13 St Ives Library 15 Floristry Sweet Williams Florist 33 Food and Drink Cornish Rock Gin 3 Funeral directors Saints Funerals 33

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Garden services and nurseries Hayle Plants 27 JC Landscapes 27 Trevena Cross Nurseries 25 Health and Fitness Copperhouse Clinic 21 Endrian Yoga 13 Holistic Therapy Centre 17 St Ives Footcare 8 Holiday Accommodation Cornish Horizons 23 Homes CTG Windows 5 John Andrews Joinery 31 Surface Rehab 27 Transformations Cornwall 16 Wootton Improvements 21

Pet services Animal Vets 31 Ruff Life 7 Schools and Nurseries Little Seahorses Childcare 8 St Ives Infant School Nursery 11 Shopping Colenso 7 St Ives Bookseller 11 St Ives Farmers’ Market 13 Taxis A1 Cars 7 Training Cornwall Council Adult Education 9 Travel Stunning Escapes 29 Wills and Estate Planning TP Wills and Probate 31

To advertise please contact us on 07444 199081 or hello@stiveslocal.uk

The census is here Sunday 21 March

By taking part, you will help inform decisions about the things that matter to you and your community.

If you need help to fill in your census form, we’ve got it covered.

CGPTA8VA-A

Visit www.census.gov.uk to find out more.

Your Local Independent Builders Merchant.

Trade & General Public Welcome.

We stock a large variety of building materials at competitive prices.

Timber - Decking - Fence panels - Decorative aggregates Plumbing Electrical - Ironmongery - Tools and more…

Free delivery direct to your door.

Workwear Showroom.

Workwear & Safety Footwear CARHARTT - SCRUFFS - DICKIES - OCEAN MARINE WEAR - BASE

Visit or give us a call today.

01736 796564

Ocean Supplies (St Ives) Ltd Unit 2A | Penbeagle Industrial Estate St. Ives | Cornwall TR26 2JH

www.oceansuppliesltd.com