I’m most chuffed to see that my programme on the delights of St Ives in Cornwall has been made Pick of the Day in the Radio Times, The Times, Telegraph, Daily Mail, Observer and the Independent on Saturday.
My connection with the seaside town began before I was born, when my aunt and uncle spent their honeymoon there. I was later taken on holidays with my family as a child. I loved it so much that I lived there for two years as a teenager, dragging my best friend along. Denise fell under its spell and didn’t go back home for months, working as a hotel chambermaid and for the legendary (in my mind) Mr Peggotty’s discotheque. That’s a story that’s been repeated in various forms down the years.
In St Ives and Me, I wanted not only to share my love of the place but to explore why it is such a powerful draw for artists and bohemians. It was vital in my spiritual and creative development, and still is, especially in the way the various events stimulate, showcase and encourage poets, musicians, performers and writers.
The arts are democratised in St Ives, class differences dissolved, human potential realised. Money and privilege doesn’t get you as far as talent and enthusiasm. But they do buy you a niche down there. The bankers and second home owners are pushing out the locals. We may be witnessing the end of a golden age if they push out the creatives, in which case we may end up with just another pretty coastal town.
St Ives and Me: BBC Radio 4 11:30 Thursday 1st December
Produced by Chris Eldon Lee for Culture Wise
A few photos from my September visit when I recorded St Ives & Me for BBC Radio 4. Plus more from past visits. Click on pix for full size versions.:
-
- On the Island overlooking Porthmeor Beach and the town
-
- With Jan Jefferies on the Island below St Nicholas Chapel
-
- With Clare Wardman in her Porthmeor studio
-
- Anna & Jan in Patrick Heron’s former studio No 5, Porthmeor Studios, Sept 2010
-
- In the Tate St Ives looking at Martin Creed’s balloon installation 2011
-
- Immersed in Martin Creed’s balloon installation at Tate St Ives
-
- Tour guide Valerie Hurry and producer Chris Eldon Lee in the Tate rotunda
-
- On the Tate St Ives roof, Sept 2010
-
- Sculptures in Barbara Hepworth’s garden
-
- Sitting in my favourite chair in my favourite place
-
- With Jan in the Hepworth conservatory in September 2011
-
- With Bob Devereux, Rod Bullimore and Kelvin Bowers, Salthouse Gallery after we all read from our books in progress
-
- Steve Jones and Charles Shaar Murray in Norway Square
-
- Bob Devereux at Norway Square, St Ives in 2008
-
- Why I wrote “Ode To A Detox on Leaving St Ives”
-
- Much Ado About Nothing on the Island, St Ives 2008
-
- Charles Shaar Murray watches Buffalo Bill Smith and Colin Burchill at the Big Frug, St Ives Arts Club
-
- Rod Bullimore and Bob Devereux among others in “Cornwall for the Cornish” at the Western Hotel.
-
- With my mates Jan Jefferies and Denise Ingamells, Mermaid Restaurant St Ives
-
- Friends at the Sloop Inn on the harbour front
-
- Morris Dancers and Angels on the harbour front last year Sept 2010.
-
- Porthmeor Beach at sunset
-
- Mackerel landed on Smeatons Pier St Ives
-
- Radio Times Pick of the Day
All pix copyright Anna Chen
Wonderful programme about a place that I love to visit – thank you very much.
It was pure pleasure, LJH. Thanks for listening. Looking forward to my next trip, hopefully this year.