Hurling the Silver Ball

Outside of the summer crowds, St. Ives is a different world—a better world.

St. Ives

Renowned for its picturesque whitewashed cottages, vibrant bars, and delightful restaurants, this destination attracts 200,000-holiday visitors each summer and an additional 500,000 day-trippers. But every February, residents are alone to celebrate Feast Day and the Hurling of the Silver Ball—An event deeply rooted in Cornish culture—blending Christian symbolism with local legend.

Time Travel

Before I describe the fabulous day, here’s a little history. Christianity arrived in Cornwall during the mid-5th century, led by missionaries like St. Ia, the patron saint of St. Ives. Local legend states that the Celtic princess and missionary was blessed by St. Patrick and crossed to Cornwall from Ireland on an ivy boat.

St. Ives Feast Day marks the consecration of St. Ia Parish Church in 1434. Hurling the Silver Ball predates the Feast. It has been a St. Ives tradition for over a thousand years, with ancient roots that promote community bonding. The game originated between locals of St. Ives and nearby Lelant village. It uses a ball made from apple wood coated in silver.

Cornwall is a refuge of Celtic culture. Outside St. Ia church is a memorial cross whose design blends Christian symbolism with Celtic traditions, such as intricate knot-work and circular design. The circle symbolises eternity, unity, or the sun, reflecting pre-Christian influences.

Holding the Silver Ball is traditionally thought to bring good luck, health, and fertility. Such beliefs are often associated with Celtic and other pre-Christian traditions. St. Ives Vicar blessing the ball on a bed of ivy at St. Ia Well adds a layer of Christian spiritual significance to the game.

The Day

Children dance the St. Ives Guise to Turkey Rhubarb | ©Martin Urch | Leica M11

On a chilly morning, which was 5 degrees Celsius below normal for St. Ives in February, the 2025 Feast Day parade assembled at the Guildhall. The parade led the Mayor, who was carrying the silver ball on a bed of ivy, to St. Ia’s Well. Many participants wore ivy garlands, and children danced the St. Ives Guise while folk musicians in traditional dress played the earworm tune "Turkey Rhubarb" on repeat.

Water dripped from the blessed Silver Ball on St. Ives Feast Day. | ©Martin Urch | Leica M11

At the well, Reverend Nick Widows shared the legend of St. Ia, blessed the ball, and John Barber read a message to St. Ia in traditional Cornish, adding to the festive atmosphere. Dancing children and Turkey Rhubarb then led us to St. Ia Church.

Mayor hurling the Silver Ball from St. Ia Church to begin the melee | ©Martin Urch | Leica M11

St. Ia church gardens extend to the seawall, from where the Mayor launched the silver ball onto the beach to kick off a 90-minute sand and town centre melee, similar to traditional mob football. St. Ives children and teenagers have this day off school to participate in the hurling, preserving Cornish and St. Ives’s cultural identity.

Invited adults left for the Western Hotel to begin the Feast while teenagers continued to run amok through the town, wrestling over the silver ball. In the past, horse-mounted Western Hunt riders and their hounds would meet the Mayor for a toast in Royal Square at this time. “That last happened in 2016. Times change, and we have to adapt with them,” Mayor Wells told me.

Locals Bar, The Sloop Inn, St. Ives | ©Martin Ucrh | Leica M11

I took my lunch refreshment at the Sloop Inn, a gathering place for locals since 1312. A voice from a barstool asked, “Why are the kids off school?” I replied, “It’s Feast Day.” The man wore a thick jumper, a winter scarf, and a heavy coat.“ I used to take my kids when they were young, but I’ve never experienced it this cold,” he said. His name was Pete, and he had moved from London to St Ives twenty years ago to raise his children. After chatting about the Cornish lifestyle and customs, I went to the Guildhall.

Hurling scuffles continued until noon when the victorious Jasper returned the ball to Mayor Wells at the Guildhall in exchange for a silver coin. This coin serves as a good luck token and a keepsake until next year’s Feast Day, maintaining the continuity of the tradition. Not entirely done yet, the Mayor and guests showered pennies—lots of them—onto excited infants waiting below the Guildhall balcony.

Later

Night Guising musician inside the Castle Inn | ©Martin Urch | Leica M11

The St. Ia celebrations went on throughout the afternoon and evening in local pubs and restaurants, which served regional beers, delicious pasties, saffron cake, and other local delicacies. That night, I had the pleasure of meeting Tim Downie, an English actor, writer, and co-host of the excellent FolkLands podcast. If you’re interested in British folklore, I highly recommend it.

We joined the costumed Scaleybacks of Hakey Bay at The Castle Inn for Feast Night Guising. A lively pub crawl through St. Ives, accompanied by cheerful tunes played on fiddles, accordions, violins, guitars, flutes, and drums. It’s safe to say that the Guise tradition was alive and well that night, concluding with gusto music hall songs in the bar at the Western Hotel.

Conclusion

During the summer, this picturesque and charming fishing town attracts many visitors. Known for its exceptional light quality, surf, and unique atmosphere, St. Ives draws in artists, surfers, and holidaymakers alike. In contrast, winter unveils a different side of England, showcasing a vibrant cultural scene and a strong sense of community exemplified during Feast Day. This event, celebrated on the first Monday after February 3rd each year, is a wonderful blend of Celtic folklore, Cornish traditions, and Anglican Christianity.

What's next?

Ball games are a significant part of English traditions. On Shrove Tuesday (March 4th) and Ash Wednesday, we will travel back in time at the 2025 Royal Shrovetide Football match in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. This physical mob game features two teams, the “Up’ards” and the “Down’ards,” fighting it out in the streets, fields, and river. Its origins date back to at least 1667.

Martin Urch Photography owns the copyright to all images.

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