Our town has always been more than just a beautiful seaside destination—it’s a strong and close-knit community. But many locals fear that this community spirit is being lost. With the town centre increasingly catering to tourism, it can sometimes feel like where we live is changing beyond recognition. However, while the heart of the town is shifting outward into the neighbourhoods where people live, our community is still very much alive—it’s just evolving in new and meaningful ways.
Community Initiatives That Keep Us Together
One of the most inspiring things about St Ives is the way people come together to create positive change. The Community Orchard project in Penbeagle is a great example—local people transforming land into a thriving, shared space for residents to enjoy. The Scouts in both Carbis Bay and St Ives continue to provide young people with opportunities to connect with nature and develop essential life skills. Richmond Park, in Carbis Bay, too with its upcoming remodelling into a more community focused area These projects, led by dedicated locals, show that our community spirit isn’t disappearing—it’s just finding new places to flourish.
Standing Together for What Matters
When our environment and heritage are threatened, our community unites. We saw this recently with the proposed bauxite dumping in St Ives Bay, where hundreds of residents came together to protect our marine ecosystem. Similarly, when controversial developments threaten our landscape and housing supply, local people step up to fight for what’s right. These moments prove that St Ives is full of people who care deeply about their town and aren’t afraid to take action.
Listening, Working, and Delivering Real Change
I’ve seen this firsthand through my role as chairman of the St Ives Transport Committee. When major transport changes were proposed, residents didn’t just sit back—they voiced their concerns and worked with us to find solutions. We listened, adapted, and made improvements that better reflected the needs of the community. This collaborative approach is what keeps our community moving forward in the right way.
A Community That Will Always Stand Strong
Our town is changing, but its community spirit is far from lost. In fact, I believe it’s stronger than ever. By continuing to support local initiatives, listen to each other, and work together, we can ensure that St Ives, Carbis Bay and Lelant, remains a place where residents feel heard, valued, and at home.
