The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
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St. Ives' Feast Day
St. Ives' Feast Day and Hurling the Silver Ball
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Overview
St. Ives' Feast day is a local tradition observed by locals and tourists alike. St. Ives was considered isolated by land depending solely on fishing and its port for trade until the Great Western Railway linked it via St. Erth in 1877. St. Ives first enters recorded history with the arrival of Saint La from Ireland, who introduced Christianity to the area in the 5th century and legend has it she built an oratory where the current Parish church now stands.
The ancient tradition of St. Ives’ Feast day and the throwing of the silver ball celebrate the anniversary of the consecration of the Parish Church of St La in 1434. Annually on the 9 February 1977 the festivities start with a procession from the St. La Well near West Pier. This year the Hurling of the Silver Ball has been thrown by Mayor T. Allan Harvey onto Porthmeor beach and parades through the town end with the mayor throwing coins from the balcony of the Guildhall to the crowd. Tradition dictates the silver ball is given back to the Mayor at noon in return for a silver penny.
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