Sunday morning, the end of another busy week for our magazine, and we join a big crowd by the war memorial in St Ives as the civic parade arrives from the Guildhall.
It rains gently throughout, but this hasn’t deterred locals of all ages, out on force to remember those lost fighting for their country over the years. Armed Forces Services, community groups, and councillors are strongly represented at the service, led by the Rev Nick Widdows, vicar of St Ives and Halsetown.
Many wreaths were laid from the groups, and civic dignitaries, after which the civic party headed into St Ia Church for a formal service. It was especially good to see so many youngsters, both participating and in the crowd. As I waited to grab a photo of the parade en route to the war memorial, a woman nearby was explaining to, presumably, her grandchild, the significance of what they were about to witness, “remembering all the people who fought in wars for us”. Lest we forget.
It’s a quieter time of year in St Ives at the moment, the lull between the end of the extended visitor season, after half-term, and the start of the lead-up to Christmas. There are new businesses opening, though. Yesterday, I dropped into Tide & Flame, in St Andrews Street, for their official opening day. The shop is a collective of Cornish makers, run by Liz Noall (yes, Quizzy Liz herself!) and Dan Doyle, and there was prosecco, and cakes made by Cornish Cakey Tea, to enjoy while browsing the shelves. Drop in and have a look around at the sheer variety, from home comforts, to food, textiles, and art.
Liz Noall at Tide and Flame, just a small selection of her stock, and Paul Waller at The Cornish Pantry
I also dropped in to see my friend Paul Waller, this week, in his Cornish Pantry shop, on Fore Street. He’s been open for a for a few weeks now, but it was the first time I’d been in to see his all-Cornish stock — jams to gins, condiments to chocolate — and get the lowdown on his online shop, too (drop into the Fore Street premises to pick up a voucher for £10 off your first online order!). He’s also taken on sponsoring St Ives Jazz Club, which I try to get to when I can. Some top-drawer outfits play at the Western Hotel every Tuesday.
Speaking of the arts, I dropped into a couple of my favourite galleries over the weekend. The shows in St Ives Arts Club generally change every week, and at the moment the walls are decorated with the works of Suzanne Stobbs (pictured above, in front of a lovely view of St Michael’s Mount from Marazion). Suzanne’s work takes in oils, framed fabric scenes, and collage, all local and mainly featuring local west Cornwall scenes. The art brings a welcome splash of Cornish summer colours on a grey November day. Pop in and have a look.
And while you’re in town, check out Chris Ward’s show in the St Ives Society of Artists’ Crypt Gallery. When I called in, Chris (pictured above) was, in fact, still hanging a multitude of paintings, bold an vivacious against the space’s white walls. It’s colourful, semi-abstract work, but you’ll recognise a lot of local views. For other canvases, it’s pure flight of fancy. Chris will start with dashes of colour and see where mood and inspiration take him. You’ll stay a while because there’s a lot to take in, and Chris is very engaging and pleased to talk about the work.
Both shows run until Friday (14th November).
Bounty Hunter (left), a chocolate, coconut, and vanilla porter from Mine Brewing Co, at their taproom, and Rochefort Triple Extra at Bier Huis Grand Café
Those who know me know I enjoy a beer, and there were a couple of highlights in town this week. Firstly, it won’t have escaped most locals’ attention that there’s a new bar in town, the Mine Brewing Co Taproom, of Tregenna Hill. It’s the first outlet owned by the brewery, founded at Consols in 2020, and it’s a great place to meet lovely people enjoying good beers. You can relax with coffee and cocktails, too, and food coming soon. There’s a choice of cask and keg beers, with some guests from other breweries, plus canned brews. And the window seats are great for watching St Ives life pass by!
Meanwhile, my antennae had also picked up a rather special brew on sale at Bier Huis Grand Café. Even by Bier Huis’s normal high standards, Trappistes Rochefort Triple Extra is a bit special. A light, citrusy, slightly spicy beer, coming in at 7.6% ABV, with just enough of a hint of warmth to remind you to treat it with respect. A lunchtime half for me, and, as ever, served in exactly the right glassware – all part of that Belgian beer experience, part taste, part theatre. If you’re looking to try Belgian beers, Bier Huis is a great place to start before embarking on a Channel crossing!
So, the start of another week is here. Check back for more blogs, and flick through our website for news, the business directory, community group and event listings, and much more. And follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky.
