Once every five years, St Ives keeps a promise written into the 1797 will of John Knill, a former customs officer and mayor of the town. The 46th celebration sees an official party process through the streets before ten local girls in white dance around Knill’s granite steeple to a fiddler, followed by the singing of the Old Hundredth Psalm. The last celebration was in 2021, and the next after this will not be until 2031.
Spectators are welcome along the procession route through town and up at Steeple Woods. The walk to the monument is uphill, so sensible shoes are a good idea.
Key times on the day
10:30, assemble at the War Memorial Gardens
10:40, the Mayor introduces the ceremonies
11:00, procession to the Malakoff via High Street, Tregenna Place, Tregenna Hill and Fernlea Terrace
11:15, coaches to Steeple Woods
12:30, the ceremony at the steeple, with the Dance according to John Knill and the Old Hundredth Psalm
13:30, return to the Malakoff and procession back via Skidden Hill and St Andrew’s Street
14:00, finish at the Memorial Gardens
