An ancient tradition, St Ives Feast Day celebrates the consecration of the Parish Church of St. Eia in 1434AD. This year, the Feast Day will take place on the 4th February where spectators can witness the rarely played Cornish Hurling, which is now only played once a year in St Ives and St Columb Major, near Newquay.
The Hurling of the Silver Ball is a primeval game, where participants try to keep possession of a cricket ball-sized ball made of apple wood coated in silver. There are no real rules to the game but it is much like watching an amateur rugby game as each player tries to tackle the ball off each other. Whoever returns the ball to the Mayor at Midday will receive a silver coin (which in this day and age is normally a pound coin!)
After much dancing and the morning procession there is an afternoon celebration where town councillors offer (gently throw) pennies from the balcony of St Ives Guildhall to waiting children below.
Sound completely bizzare? Book a short break in one of our properties in St Ives this February and witness it for yourself! >