Ordnance Survey – Great Britain's national mapping agency

Feasting and games in St Ives

13 December 2007

Visitors to St Ives in the new year could find themselves undertaking some unusual outdoor activities.

On 4 February 2008, from 9.30 am, locals will be partaking in hurling – one of the oldest forms of ball games – as well as tucking into a traditional feast.

Hurlers in the Cornish town will gather to play the game, which is similar to rugby only the ball is made from apple wood and encased in sterling silver, weighing around 425 grams (15 ounces).

In times gone by the game was played in the town’s streets as well as on the beach and could involve as many as 600 people, from miners to fishermen.

Today the event is mainly enjoyed by schoolchildren and tourists, eager to capture a piece of history.

Play will commence when the ball is thrown from St Ives Parish Church wall at 10.30, after which a ‘mad scramble’ follows as players attempt to get their hands on the ball.

The game is played for around an hour and a half, during which hurlers strive to place the silver ball in their goal, which is the overall object of the game.

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