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| Hello from Jane
Bowd, your new Town Centre Manager |
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Hello and welcome to this edition of SuggestIves.
This is the first issue with which I have
been involved since my recent appointment
as your new Town Centre Manager and I am
so pleased to have this opportunity to introduce
myself to you.
I may be new to the job, but not to the
town. As a St Ives girl born and educated
I'm sure that I am known to many of you
already, but not in this capacity! Many
will know me from my alter ego, that of
a keen horse woman. For many years I kept
my horse Misha in the paddock behind S.
Robb & Sons in East Street, where she was
quite a tourist attraction, especially with
young children. So I am a local girl, and
have also worked locally, having spent the
past 29 years working in the financial services
sector for Barclays Bank PLC.
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I know that in my new position as Town
Centre Manager I have a lot to learn and
many new faces to meet. Knowing our very
special, unique town so well, it is wonderful
to have this opportunity to make a difference
for the better. I have a real passion for
this town so I'm looking forward to working
with you and for you, to raise our profile
and, in doing so, making St Ives the town
of choice for shoppers, residents, diners
and visitors alike.
A thriving town cannot stand still, and
already in my lifetime there have been many
changes. St Ives has expanded residentially
and among retailers it now attracts larger
companies alongside the smaller independent
shops. We also, of course, now have a separate
industrial estate. It will be one of my
priorities to get to know all of our local
businesses, not just those within the town
centre.
The Guided Bus will be with us in 2009,
and it will not only go from the town, but
will bring visitors and shoppers to us as
well. It will be part of my job to help
make the most of this challenge. St Ives
is such a vibrant town with such a lot to
offer.
The St Ives Town Initiative has recently
held its very popular Summer Festival, with
a Concert and a Riverside Gala, which goes
from strength to strength. Planning is already
under way for the Dickensian Market due
to be held on Sunday 30th November. We always
need help with our events, and so if you
wish to be involved with the work of SITI,
or have any issue you wish to raise, or
an idea you think worthy of exploring, please
do contact me. I intend to make the most
of my opportunity, to work hard and to do
my best to realise our objective - to make
St Ives an even better place to live, work
and visit.
Jane Bowd,Town Centre Manager
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| Having a BBQ or
organising an event? |
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If you are holding an event or just having a get
together with all the family think how much easier
it would be to have an easy to erect pop-up gazebo
to give you cover from the sunshine (or the rain).
The St. Ives Town Initiative has 12 gazebo’s for
hire, each one is 8ft x 8ft and has green and white
striped covers overhead and to three sides. The
cost is £15.00 per gazebo per day.
If you require more information or wish to book
them please telephone 01480 464267, if there is
no-one there to take your call please leave a message
and we will get back to you as soon as possible. |
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| NEWS UPDATE |
| Watch out
for the ‘Approved’ Decal! |
| If you have trouble getting in and
out of stores and other premises in the town, you’ll
soon find the St Ives Access Group (SIAG) Approval
Decals a welcome sight. SIAG is about to launch
its new scheme that demonstrates, for residents
and visitors alike, that a business or service is
accessible for customers with disabilities or it
can provide its service in an alternative accessible
way. This project also aims to help local businesses
become aware of a group of customers they may be
missing. |
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| The decal is simple and effective
and sends a positive message that the business welcomes
all customers, and does that little bit extra for
those who may need it. SIAG hope that the Approval
Decal will be the must-have window dressing for
all local stores, and that eventually all businesses
and services will be able to say ‘Yes, we are Approved’.
In this period of economic downturn, extending a
customer base is a sensible move for any business,
and one which will benefit everyone. SIAG is, of
course, very willing to assist any business with
advice on accessibility. |
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| On another note, SIAG has been made
aware that some parking by Blue Badge holders is
inconsiderate, and may even be dangerous at times.
This is likely to be the behaviour of only a small
minority of drivers, but it does bring all badge
holders into disrepute. The Blue Badge is a wonderful
asset but when misused it can cause inconvenience
to all road users. |
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| Some drivers complain that there are
insufficient designated parking bays in the town,
and this is an issue that SIAG, together with the
Town and District Councils, are fighting hard to
rectify. Until the situation improves, SIAG would
ask all road users, able-bodied and Blue Badge holders,
to park responsibly and not impede traffic flow
or cause danger to other road users and pedestrians.
Then we can all get to the shops, and other places
we want to be, without hassle! |
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| St Ives Town
Centre Environmental Improvements |
| You may have seen articles in the
local press concerning the next phase of the St
Ives Town Centre Environmental Improvements project,
which relates to the Market Place following on from
work in Bridge Street and Crown Street. There has
been lively debate so far, and consequently we understand
that various options are being considered by the
Advisory Group, which includes SITI along with the
Town and District Councils. Once these options have
been approved by HDC, there will be a full public
consultation period, hopefully starting in October
and completed before Christmas 2008. We will include
details in our next issue of Suggestives as to where
you can view these plans and how you can pass on
your comments.Announcements will of course also
be made in the local press. |
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| Corn Exchange
Steering Group |
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The St Ives Town Council has created
this steering group with the aim to advise them
on matters relating to the development and running
of the Corn Exchange, though not on the building
construction process itself.
This group of local residents who responded to the
public invitation, and who all have a passion to
see the Corn Exchange up and running for the benefit
of the community, has already started work. So let’s
hope it won’t be too long now before we can see
work in progress’ signs on our Corn Exchange. |
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| Hunts Shopmobility
Comes to St Ives! |
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| Is your mobility restricted? Now you
can rent an electric scooter or manual wheelchair
to help you get out and about in St Ives. Shopmobility
is an organisation that provides scooters and wheelchairs
for those who have mobility problems, whether temporary
or permanent. They have been running from Princes
Street car park in Huntingdon since November 2006
and have just achieved charity status. Now they
are now offering a satellite service in St Ives.
People can join as a member for £15 per year, or
use their equipment on a casual basis for £3.50
each trip. |
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| In St Ives Shopmobility will be operating
on a pre-booked only basis as there are a limited
number of scooters. The scheme will be available
on Mondays of each week between 10.00 am and 2.00
pm, and initially will be based at the bus station.
If this service proves to be popular, availability
will be increased, and a permanent base will be
found. |
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| For your interest, Shopmobility also
take scooters to some outdoor events, and will be
at the Food Festival at Wood Green in September.
For more information and to book a scooter or wheelchair
please phone 01480 432793. |
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| St Ives Heritage
Open Days 2008 |
| This is another opportunity to see
inside some of the buildings of St Ives and learn
about their history.Friday 12th to Sunday 14th September
2008 |
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| The
Parish Church of All Saints |
| This 15th Century Church with
wonderful Ninian Comper Screen, is one of
the ‘1000 Best Parish Churches’. Open Friday
& Saturday 10 am to 4 pm Sunday 12.30 pm to
4 pm See location map on centre pages |
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| The
Methodist Church the Waits |
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| Built in 1904, close to where
John Wesley preached in 1774. Open Saturday
10 am to 4 pm Sunday 12.30 pm to 4 pm |
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| Muslim
Prayer and Education Centre, The Broadway |
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| Previously the North Hunts Constitutional
Club which was built in 1891 on the site of
the old Unicorn Inn Open Saturday & Sunday
10 am to 4 pm |
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| This is an opportunity to see
inside these buildings and learn about their
history |
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| The
Norris Museum, the Broadway |
Opened in 1933, the exhibits
tell the story of Huntingdonshire’s history.
The current special exhibition Huntingdonshire
Pubs in Old Pictures looks at some of the
pubs in our historic county, as seen in etchings,
paintings and old photographs.
Open Friday & Saturday 10 am to 5 pm Sunday
2 pm to 5 pm |
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| The
Bridge Chapel |
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| This early 15th Century Chapel,
with its fascinating past, is open with displays
and information on the town’s Civic Society
Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10 am to 5
pm |
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| Church
of the Sacred Heart, Needingworth Road |
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| This church was designed by
Pugin; originally sited in Cambridge, it was
moved to St Ives in 1902. Open Friday & Saturday
10 am to 4 pm Sunday 12.30 pm to 4 pm |
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| The
Free Church, Market Hill |
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| This Grand ‘Nonconformist Cathedral’
was built in the 1860s, and in 1980 was refurbished
and reconstructed. The distinctive exterior
of the Church was retained but a first floor
was added to the interior. Downstairs exhibition
of 40th Anniversary of the Civic Society Open
Friday & Saturday 10 am to 4 pm Sunday 12.30
pm to 4 pm Toilets, plus wheelchair–friendly
toilet |
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| Where
to Eat |
| 1) |
Floods Tavern |
The Broadway |
2) |
Local Café |
The Broadway |
| 3) |
Fried Chicken & Kebab |
The Broadway |
4) |
Meze Turkish Restaurant |
Station Road |
| 5) |
Molise Italian Restaurant |
Bridge Street |
6) |
Montaz Tandoori Restaurant |
Merrylands |
| 7) |
Nelson’s Head |
Merrylands |
8) |
Nuts Bistro |
Market Hill |
| 9) |
Oliver Cromwell |
Wellington Street |
10) |
River Tea Rooms |
Bridge Street |
| 11) |
Sultan Restaurant |
London Road |
12) |
Royal Oak |
Crown Street |
| 13) |
Surf & Turf Restaurant |
Bridge Street |
14) |
Tookey’s Coffee Bar |
Free Church |
| 15) |
The Tap Room |
Bridge Street |
16) |
The Welcome Restaurant |
East Street |
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| SPECIAL EVENTS
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| The Civic
Society Celebrates its 40th Anniversary |
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| The Civic Society Celebrates its 40th
Anniversary The Free Church Hall, Friday & Saturday
10 am to 4 pm, Sunday 12.30 pm to 4pm The Civic
Society of St Ives celebrates its 40th Anniversary
this year, and is holding a special exhibition in
the downstairs room in the Free Church. |
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| The exhibition shows how our town
has changed over this period, and how the Society
has sought to influence these changes. |
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| The Society was set up in 1968 to
oppose the building of a by-pass across Holt Island
and Hemingford Meadow. Having won this fight, the
society has gone from strength to strength, and
examines any proposal that might make a difference
to the town for both residents and visitors alike.
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To mark its anniversary the Civic Society has
launched a project to place ‘plaques’ on buildings
of historical interest in St Ives, to help ensure
that we are more aware of our rich historical legacy.
So far, 12 potential sites in the town have been
identified and the first 3 plaques have already
arrived; the one for the Norris Museum is already
in place and those for the National Schools and
the Old Police Station will be placed shortly. |
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| Heritage Cruises
Friday, Saturday and Sunday |
| These popular cruises enable you appreciate
the historical significance of St Ives from the
river. |
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| The Great Ouse is the reason the town
was settled here in the first place. Take a trip
from the Quay, and you will be able to see why most
original development is on the north bank, and how
the two public moorings were once sites of commerce.
You will also enjoy close up views of fascinating
riverside architecture. This will include the Victorian
steam mill, the splendid run of arches New Bridges,
that carried livestock south along the turnpike
from our magnificent mediaeval town bridge and chapel,
plus the site of the town’s biggest brewery! |
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| For more information contact:
The Civic Society of St Ives: 01480 300 963 The
Civic Trust 08700 100 150 |
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| www.heritageopendays.org |
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| SITI Summer festival:
Highlights |
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| Amazing Riverside Gala
Weekend |
| 19th/20th July Nobles Field, with
St Ives Rowing Club Regatta, Dragon Boat Racing,
Music, Beer, Craft Stalls and Family Entertainment……
Great Fun for all. The photos speak for themselves. |
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| Results |
| The St Ives Rowing Club, Huntingdon
Boat Club, and St Neots Rowing Club were all winners
in the Regatta. The Dragon Boat Racing saw entries
from 21 local businesses, including SITI, and the
winners were Piggotts Diamond Geezers, with a team
from The Seven Wives as runners up. |
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| A sold out concert A truly memorable
concert from the Chamber Orchestra of St Ives with
guests. First, the Spanish guitar Concierto de Aranjuez
beautifully and evocatively played by soloist Tony
Engeham, then David Ditchfield received a standing
ovation for the Premiere of his symphony Divine
Light. This was a moving experience, for all to
share in such an emotional and very personal piece
of music. The second half of the concert took on
a much lighter note with favourites from Last Night
of The Proms. So much flag waving, singing, and
encores!! Thank you COSI for such a wonderful evening. |
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| Thank you and congratulations
to Raffle Prize Winners: |
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| Prize |
Donated by |
Winner |
Boat
Trip for 12
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The
Electric River Boat Co |
Pat
Joyce |
| Portrait Sitting |
Brian Jones Photography |
Glen Black |
| Shorty Wetsuit |
Jones Boatyard |
Philip Pearson |
| Voucher |
The Taproom |
Pam Edey |
| Lunch Voucher |
Cambridge Golf
Club |
Myrtle Swaffield |
| Digital Radio |
Total Computing |
Amelia (12 weeks
old!) |
| Luxury Box Chocolates |
Just Cards &
Thorntons |
Trevor N |
| Slow Cooker |
Budgens |
Alan Wilkinson |
| Large Jar Quality
Street Chocolates |
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Ann Moore |
| Bottle of Champagne |
Silk & Silver |
Cheryl Hancock |
| Bottle of Champagne |
Anglia Tax Help |
Sue Mills |
| Bottle of wine |
The Nelsons Head |
Steve Moller |
| Large adorable
cuddly Tiger |
Datamend |
Pam Edey |
| Bottle of wine |
Pat Allan |
Mr & Mrs
Rayner |
| Bottle of Baileys
& wine |
Barrie Hill |
Betty Davey |
| Gift Box of Toiletries |
Pam Edey |
Dave Ash |
Gif Box Golf
DVD
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Pam Edey |
Victor Pople |
| Wooden Jewellery
Box |
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Tabitha Fistern |
| Thermos travel
set |
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Amanda Large |
| Bottle wine |
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Linda Knight |
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| Thank you very much indeed to all
our sponsors of this year’s festival The Town Council
especially, also Waitrose, Cambridge Building Society,
Dairy Crest, JPS Systems, All Undercover. Also the
SITI Dragon Boat sponsors, Montaz Tandoori, Anglia
Tax Help and Denise’s Flowers. Special thanks to
the organising team from SITI and SIRC, to all helpers
and supporters, to those who came along and to those
who took part.Superb. |
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| Member Profiles |
| B R Jones
Photography |
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Brian Jones has been a wedding photographer in
St. Ives for the past twenty-five years and has
built up an impressive reputation, specializing
in wedding and portrait photography. A newly married
Brian and his wife Judith came to live in St. Ives
after falling in love with the town on their first
visit. It seemed the perfect place to live and bring
up a family, and so indeed both their daughters
attended St Ivo School. Brian’s family business
was based in The Broadway until March of last year
when he relocated to Needingworth.
Brian’s first love is wedding photography and feels
it is a special privilege to share in a couple’s
big day. He says, ‘It is rewarding to get to know
a family over the years by capturing all their special
moments, so to then be asked to share in a son or
daughter’s wedding day is a special delight’. It
takes a special knack and lots of experience to
cope with the various pressures and emotions involved
in a wedding day. Brian works quickly and unobtrusively
in a relaxed style making everyone feel completely
at ease. ‘The main thing’, he says, ‘is to have
fun and enjoy the day and not to worry if everything
doesn’t go quite to plan – it never does!’ |
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| Brian has always been a member of
the St Ives Town Initiative, and freely gives his
time and support to promote the town. He is passionate
about his photography and has won many Kodak Awards
for his weddings and portraits. |
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Brian’s contact details are Larkspur
House, 4A Overcoat Lane, Needingworth, St Ives PE27
4TU,
telephone 01480 461707, website
www.brjonesphotography.co.uk |
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| Nuts Bistro |
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‘Good old-fashioned, home-cooked food at an excellent
price!’ This is the mission of Vivien and Duncan
Costello of Nuts Bistro and their success in delivering
exactly that, along with first-class service, has
enabled them to double their turnover since they
took over the business three years ago.
Vivien and Duncan have a background of 25 years
in the wholesale food industry and they buy local
produce for the Bistro whenever possible, but also
source from further afield, and change their menus
to reflect the seasons. They even travel to Herefordshire
to purchase special sausages which have such a satisfied
following that they also sell to these customers
direct. |
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| The new autumn menu will include home-cooked,
beer-battered fresh fish with chips, every Friday.
Chefs Sarah and Carlie are responsible for creating
the consistently high quality of food which is served
day after day and Linda spends three days a week
making a range of delicious cakes to tempt us all
from our diets. |
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| The past three years have seen the
restaurant modernised with a fresh clean look, with
airconditioning plus a full alcohol licence. Reflecting
the modern interior, Nuts also offers its clients
a taste of café culture with tables and chairs outside,
and the opportunity to enjoy our wonderful British
summers! |
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| Vivien and Duncan, and their dedicated
staff, would like to take this opportunity to thank
all their existing customers and to welcome new
ones in the future. |
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| Plastic
carrier bags or not? |
| I would like to think that there are
many people like myself who believe we simply cannot
continue to use and dispose of plastic bags at the
rate we do now. Even if you are of the opinion that
‘environmentally friendly’ initiatives are a waste
of time and effort, surely everyone agrees that
the number of plastic bags which we use and throw
away is unacceptable? |
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| Perhaps making us pay for bags at
the checkout is the answer? Should we all be buying
and using cotton bags? We cannot turn back the clock
to the days when mum would go shopping every day
at the local shops with her string bag because times
have obviously changed. |
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| Locally, Girton has already gone plastic-bag-free,
Mill Road in Cambridge is aiming for it, and Peterborough
Environment City Trust in conjunction with the City
Council and Queensgate recently announced they are
joining forces to rid that City of plastic bags.
Slightly further afield but still within East Anglia,
the town of Aylsham became the first Norfolk town
to be carrier-bag-free with over 70 businesses signed
up to the scheme which was launched on 3 May 2008. |
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| Should St Ives now be
looking to join them and be a plastic-bag-free zone?
Are there any viable alternatives to the plastic
bag? Do the alternatives present us with different
environmental and social consequences which make
them less attractive options? I don’t know the answer
to these questions but I am willing to learn. If
anyone would like to give me their opinion on this
important issue I should love to hear from you.
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| You can write to me, Sue Fisher, at
the St Ives Town Initiative office, 1, New Road
St Ives, tel 01480 464267. Or, if you email Jane,
our town centre manager, tcm@goingtostives.info,
she will forward your comments on to me. If we can
generate enough support, we can perhaps begin a
campaign in the town and attract the attention of
the local press, local organisations and stores
and our new Town Council. Then we might make a difference. |
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| St Ives
Sudoku Challenge |
| Congratulations to the winner of our
latest Sudoku Challenge, Graham Horlock. Thanks
as usual go to St Ives based Greenstreet, who kindly
donated the prize for SITI’s popular competition. |
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