St Ives Archive Centre
Here is a brief introduction to the Archive and what to expect when visiting our Research Centre in Carbis Bay.
The Night of the Cintra Gale
The 18th November 1893 is known as the Night of the Cintra Gale when five ships were wrecked in St Ives Bay with the loss of 22 lives.
St Ives – Memories from a Bygone Era
Filmmaker Alban Roinard superimposes old photographs of St Ives on top of modern scenes around town. The effect is a fascinating step back in time, revealing memories from a bygone era.
Celebrating John Passmore Edwards
The bicentenary of this extraordinary man’s birth was marked in St Ives by a small display in the Greta Williams Room created by St Ives Archive volunteers.
St Ives Archive – Move
In summer 2015 St Ives Archive moved from it’s long-time home at the Parish Rooms to the old St Uny School at the rear of the Wesley Methodist Church Carbis Bay. This records an event set up for residents of St Ives and Carbis Bay to look around our new home and gives a taste of the vast range and depth of material available for public use.
St Ives Archive – 21st Anniversary Dinner
The volunteer organisation and custodian of St Ives’ heritage celebrated its 21st year in 2017 at West Cornwall Golf Club. This ‘roll call’ is mixed with around 75 photos referencing, sometimes obliquely, key events, buildings and personalities from the past 2 centuries. Spot people you recognise.
GWR Branch Line
Produced to mark the 140th anniversary of the GWR St Ives Bay Line which so shaped today’s St Ives; a small fishing village that’s become a world-famous artist colony and tourist destination. With details of its history, June 2017 views of the Grade II listed St Erth station and the coast-hugging ride into St Ives terminating at Porthminster Beach.
Loss of St Ives Lifeboat
Our town’s darkest day remembered during a breezy walk at Gwithian. The loss of the RNLI Lifeboat “John and Sarah Eliza Stich” with seven of her crew was to that date the worst tragedy suffered by the Institution and the town. It occurred almost a year after another local sea tragedy when the SS Alba grounded on Porthmeor resulting in the loss of the town’s earlier lifeboat “Caroline Parsons”.
Old Vicarage Flats Project
St Ives Archive has been asked to conduct a history project on the building which is now going to be developed as much-needed social housing. Local residents are being asked to bring out their recollections of the building.
St Ives Archive – Then
A short introduction to who we were at the Parish Rooms.
Welcome to St Ives
The many and varied faces of the famous Cornish seaside resort – beaches, facilities, traditions, events and history. Produced in October 2021 by St Ives Town Council.
Women in the Industry: St Ives
St Ives Archive won a national award for a project focusing on the history of women in industry. Interviews with Janet Axten, Maggie Davis, Vera Care (née Barber) and Iris Bidgood.