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St Ives Archive Celebrates World Photography Day

Bamaluz Beach — *Bamaluz Sunbathers* by James Warbey

In celebration of World Photography Day on August 19, St Ives Archive is putting on a special one-week photo sale featuring 16 limited edition prints by local photographers. Beginning this Saturday and lasting until August 26, the photographs – all taken of St Ives by emerging artists and established professionals alike – will be available for £25 each on the Archive’s online shop.

The unique selection of photographs includes film, digital, black and white and colour prints portraying different aspects of St Ives: close-ups of ancient stones, atmospheric beach scenes, nostalgic townscapes and lively skatepark photography. All images were originally a part of the Archive’s Secret Photo Show in April, a two-day art sale that raised £550 for the preservation of the town’s rich photographic heritage. Since the Archive’s founding in 1996, the organisation has digitised more than 35,000 photographs, some of which date from the mid-19th century.

Tegen Veal, one of many young photographers who has a print for sale, recently finished her A levels, including one in photography, and is going to Falmouth University in September to study marine and natural history photography. When asked how the town and seaside inspire her work, Tegen said: “St Ives will always have a place in my heart because it’s where I feel at home. I love to capture this in my photography, using it as a medium to portray feelings and my perspective on life as well as little moments that catch my eye.”

Two black and white film prints by Samuel Crookshank also feature in the World Photography Day sale. St Ia’s 15th-century church tower appears in both, as seen from the harbour in one and the memorial gardens in the other. In addition to being a photographer, Samuel is a musician, poet and surfer. He said of the photo show in April, “I am honoured to attend this incredible event. What a part of history and St Ives history especially!”

Photography lies at the heart of St Ives’ history and the Archive’s collection. Opening our eyes to many facets of the town’s heritage, from fishing and mining to art and architecture, traditions and customs, St Ives Archive’s photographic database is accessible to anyone interested in the history of the parish. To celebrate the talented local photographers who continue to capture the beauty, people and stories of St Ives, make sure to visit the Archive’s online shop. All sales support our ongoing heritage work and help protect the future of our collection.

The featured image of this article is Smeaton’s Pier by Tegen Veal.

Plans for a new Archive to Unlock the Secrets of Market House

St Ives Town Council Joint Press Release

21 June 2023

Plans for a new Archive to Unlock the Secrets of Market House

St Ives Town Council, working in close partnership with St Ives Archive are about to embark upon an exciting new heritage project to create an Archive Resource Centre in the centre of the town. The project’s aim is to renovate the first floor of Market House, bringing it back into community use for the first time in decades.

The St Ives Archive, now celebrating its 27^thyear, was for many years located at the Parish Rooms. Following the sale of the Rooms five years ago, the Archive has operated from the Wesley Chapel in Carbis Bay, but has always aspired to return to a prominent location in the town so more people can access its wealth of important local material. The organisation is operated by local volunteers and is self-supporting from its own fundraising activities.

The Town Council is the owner of the Market House, a listed building built in 1832. The first-floor premises are an impressive heritage asset, retaining many original features of the old Guildhall where the Mayor and Corporation met to discuss the town’s affairs. Regular magistrate court hearings were also held, complete with original judge’s chair and prisoner cells, yet few people have had the opportunity to look inside. The building is in good shape but the upstairs rooms are in need of sensitive restoration.

The ambition is to refurbish the upper rooms into a modern facility for reference, display and study with access for all. This will then be leased and operated by the Archive. The project will also involve the departure of the snooker club and the Council has considered this very carefully. But with the club’s dwindling membership, the community benefits of housing the Archive and the chance to restore the historic building, meant this difficult decision has been taken.

The project will take some time to progress – the restoration work will require listed building consent for a new access. The Council and the Archive will be working closely together over the coming months, to progress the scheme and develop a funding strategy to seek grant funding for the works.

Councillor Tony Harris, Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee said:

“This exciting project will bring together the Archive’s local treasure trove and a building with a hidden history. Although the project is at an early stage, the Council is fully committed to working with the Archive to unlock the funds needed to restore this unique building for a very fitting use. We hope it will also ensure more local people have the chance to enjoy the history of the parish.”

Lyn Burchess, the Archive Chair said:

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make the Archive a focus for the community it serves and also serve the wider visiting public. We look forward to working with the Town Council to make this exciting vision a reality.”