Connection and Community during May Day Festivities
Each May, St Ives looks forward to the St Ia Flower Festival with its colour, music, and sense of togetherness. Held at the beautiful St Ia Church during May Day festivities, the festival raises vital funds for beloved community causes.
This year’s event runs from Saturday 2nd May to Monday 4th May. The 15th-century church will be open daily from 10:00 until 16:00. Visitors are welcome during those hours to enjoy an array of stunning floral displays, as well as several musical recitals. (See below).
Preparing to make a display… The photos of previous flower displays are gratefully shared from St Ia Church’s Facebook page
Support for Local Charities
This year’s festival donations will support the RNLI St Ives, Edward Hain Centre, and St Ia Hele Organ Restoration Fund. All three have deep and cherished roots in St Ives, the first two having an obvious maritime connection. The RNLI go back the farthest; the Hain family’s shipping business being a close second. The St Hele Organ, built almost 120 years ago by renowned West Country organ makers Hele & Co, is not far behind.
The generosity of community members will, therefore, continue to benefit these long-standing St Ives treasures for years to come.
We are delighted to have been invited to create a display for the event Whether familiar with our health and wellbeing work, or discovering us for the first time, we hope our display will help demonstrate how community spaces bring people together.
Musical Recitals
As well as floral displays, visitors will be treated to a rich programme of live music held within St Ia Church:
🔹 Saturday 2nd May features a piano recital by Taylor Williams (1:15–2:00PM), followed by an Evening Choir Concert with St Ia’s Choir and Kernow Voices (7:00–9:00PM).
🔹 On Sunday 3rd May, there’s Choral Evensong (5:30–6:45PM) for a peaceful and reflective end to the day.
🔹 Monday 4th May concludes the festival with an Organ Recital by Jeffrey Williams (2:00–2:45PM) celebrating the historic instrument at the heart of the church.
Families, friends, residents and visitors alike are welcome to come along, enjoy the flower displays and music, and soak up the atmosphere. Events like the St Ia Flower Festival are a reminder of how much can be achieved when creativity and community come together. Our grateful thanks and appreciation to St Ia Church for including us.
We look forward to seeing you at St Ia’s over the May Day weekend!
