Hurling The St Ives Silver Ball – A Sterling Way To Start The Year
If odd traditions, unusual or entertaining customs are your thing, then the annual Hurling of the Silver Ball held each year in St Ives, Cornwall could be just what you’re looking for. This year the event takes place on Monday 06 February and forms an essential part of St Ives Feast, which celebrates the anniversary of the consecration of the parish church of St Eia, in 1434.
Processions of musicians, townsfolk and schoolchildren will make their way through the town’s narrow, cobbled alleyways wearing pieces of ivy in remembrance of St Eia, the patron saint of St Ives, who is believed to have made her way across the sea from Ireland on a boat made of ivy. Then, at precisely 10.30 a.m. on 6th February the mayor will throw the silver ball, which has been blessed in the holy well of St Eia, from the steps of the Church into the thronging crowd below. Chaos ensues as the silver ball, made from apple wood and encased in sterling silver, is passed and wrestled from one person to another over the beaches and through the streets of the town.
At noon, the person with the ball receives the traditional reward of a silver coin from the Mayor at the Guildhall. Thereafter pennies are proffered from the balcony by town councillors to the waiting children below.
Originally, the aim of the game was to force the ball to the goal at either St. Ives or Lelant Parish Church, however this changed when the population of St Ives began to vastly outnumber that of Lelant, making it a non-contest. Today the event has become a free for all, making the event a huge spectacle watched by large crowds looking on.
Blue Chip Holidays has a number of properties nearby including The Salt Lodge, a Grade II listed house sleeping eight; Oceanis, a house with four apartments each sleeping four guests; 16a Penwith Road, sleeping six; or Whitsunday House, which has stunning views over Carbis Bay and sleeps eight.
Prices start from £73 per person for a week over the festival (£439 in total) or from £52 per person for a three night break (£315 in total) at 16a Penwith Road. 2 and 4 Oceanis, each sleeping four guests, can be booked from £379 for the week or from £273 for a three night break. .
Seven nights at the Salt Lodge, which sleeps eight, can be booked from £899, while a week at Whitsunday House overlooking the beautiful Carbis Bay and the Godrevy lighthouse, can be booked for a party of eight from £1,029. Bookings can be made by calling Blue Chip Holidays on 0844 7044987 or by visiting www.bluechipholidays.co.uk.
Whitsunday House, on the outskirts of St Ives, has two large balconies and a patio area, both of which overlook the golden beach and sea below.
The house comfortably sleeps eight people in four bedrooms, each with impressive coastal views. It has two large sitting rooms, a well proportioned dining room, and a splendid kitchen. St Ives is only five minutes away on the local train.
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