It’s very new as traditions go, but the sound of pounding drums and cries of “olé, olé,olé, olé” filling the town centre streets mean St Ives September Festival is under way.
The Falmouth Marine Band make their way along Wharf Road
On a clear, mainly bright Saturday, Falmouth Marine Band paraded through the town to the new festival tented area behind The Sloop pub. Theirs was a no-brainer return invitation to St Ives, getting locals and visitors in the mood for two weeks of entertainment and culture with Cornish songs and traditional shanties. The burghers of a French town a few years ago made the mistake of thinking they had invited the Royal Marines Band, but while the Falmothians are not quite as polished, they have among their ranks some talented musician and excellent singers. And they enjoy a pint, so their thirsts were quenched with some St Ives Brewery beer in The Sloop.
More music of a more measured, yet no less lively a nature followed from the likes of the St Ives Concert Band and the Samba Band, in The Sloop car park and at what has now become an established street entertainment site in Fore Street, outside the New Craftsman Gallery.
Gavin Nicholls leads proceeding at the Big Cauldron Session in the Western Hotel
Around town, too many art shows getting under way to list here, though we shall return to them during the festival, and first night performances in venues such as St Ives Theatre, the Arts Club, and St Ia Church. In the Western Hotel, we remembered the life and cultural impact of late St Ives Times & Echo Toni Carver. During every festival, on Saturday afternoons, Toni would gather many of St Ives’ most talented musicians and put on an hours-long session of songs and performances, welcoming established faces and introducing and encouraging new talent. He created a welcoming space where musicians, storytellers and audiences could come together to celebrate Cornwall’s rich folk tradition. Yesterday, Gavin Nicol undertook the MC duties amid a good turnout, a portrait of Toni overseeing proceedings from the stage.
Phil Saward
Down in Market Square, the St Ives Archive team were proudly showing off their new base, in the Market House building. But there was something else to celebrate — the launch of a new book, St Ives, A Festival Town, by archive stalwart Phil Saward. An appropriate day for the launch, of course, but the book goes into so much more than the modern September Festival. Cultural festival of various kinds have been prevaant over the last century, but the book also recalls concerts and celebrations, and even the Radio 1 roadshow, which brought huge crowds to town.
Bob Devereux
Meanwhile, in leafy Norway Square, festival veteran Bob Devereux was back in the compere’s seat for two hours of song, music, poetry, and readings, before an enthusiastic audience. These two-hour sessions run from noon daily, with familiar faces and less experienced performers making an appearance. No need to book — just turn up to either enjoy the show or perform.
St Ives September Festival continues today, and through until Saturday, 26th September. Find out more at stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk/and there are programmes at various locations around town, as well as within the latest issue of St Ives Local magazine.
