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Recently installed on the Island, St Ives is a new information board which relates the history of this unusual and important urban green space. The board was the idea of St Ives Town Council’s Environment Committee, some of whom, over a year ago, did a survey of ‘Downlong’ with local residents, Chris England and Margaret Care. Next to the Island car park they noted a concrete plinth which was crying out for something to be done with it. St Ives Town Councillor, Tamsyn Williams, took on the task of co-ordinating the project. She sourced the photographs and researched and wrote the text, with help from St Ives Museum curator, Brian Stevens and the Archive Centre. Carbis Bay artist, Steve Martin was commissioned to draw the map.
An offer of funding came from Chris England, proprietor of the ‘Anchorage’ on Bunkers Hill, St Ives. The board is to be his memorial to a special friendship which began in St Ives 41 years ago. Holidaying here from Salisbury, as a child, Chris while playing on Porthminster Beach made friends with Nigel Latham of Doncaster, that sparked a lifelong bond between the two families, and the Latham’s continue to visit St Ives and Chris regularly. “I had wanted a memorial bench but was delighted to have the chance to invest in something interesting and that bit different”, commented Chris. “This may not be a big project but it shows what can be achieved when the local community and town council work together.
Pictured at the plaque are left to right, Steve Martin, Josh Latham, Chris England and Councillor Tamsyn Williams.
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