To celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Old Cornwall movement in St Ives in 1920, as President and Events Officer of the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies I arranged for a service to be held in Truro Cathedral featuring St Ives carols, or ‘curls’. This was held on Thursday 16th December in 2021, a year late having been postponed because of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The carols of which St Ives singers are particularly proud, some of which were chosen for the Cathedral Service, are those composed by Colan Williams (1858-1935) known as ‘Cully’. He had migrated to America but returned to St Ives after becoming blinded in a mining accident in the 1890s. Cully learned to play the organ and his love of singing led him to compose 20 carols, sometimes with music to well-known words, sometimes the music and the words. These were still being sung in 2021 in Methodist chapels, St Uny Church Lelant, Tesco carpark, Tate St Ives and outside the homes of the sick. On Christmas Eve the Carol Choir gathered to sing around the town, finishing at Mount Zion on the harbour with See the Morning to welcome Christmas Day and the birth of the Christ Child.

Hellesveor is Cully’s most famous ‘curl’. Named after the chapel where he worshipped and played the organ, people stand whenever the carol is sung in St Ives, rather like they do for Handel’s Hallelujah chorus. In the Cathedral the carollers sang What Melody, Incarnate Love, Glad Tidings, Victory Carol, Beautiful Child, See the Morning and Hellesveor. For the final three the St Ives Combined Chapels Cornish Carol Choir were joined by the Red River Singers. William Thomas conducted the carols, accompanied by Katrina Geraghty on the piano. The Introduction and Opening Prayer were by the Reverend Canon Alan Bashforth. Canon Alan had been a curate at St Ives so was familiar with the carols. As part of the service, he led a dialogue with William Thomas about the carol singing tradition in St Ives.

Organising it with me were Canon Alan Bashforth, Bert Biscoe and William Thomas who were all very efficient, experienced and reliable to work with. Hilary Coleman worked extremely hard beforehand with the Red River Singers to teach them St Ives carols in a short time. I think she enjoyed singing in the choir rather than conducting for a change. The Cathedral staff and volunteers were very helpful with the live streaming, setting up and taking down. On behalf of the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies I would like to thank everyone who took part in such an uplifting service.

Karin Easton, President and Events Officer, Federation of Old Cornwall Societies, 16th January 2022.

Cornish Carol Service (featuring carols from St Ives) with the St Ives Combined Chapels Cornish Carol Choir led by William Thomas, supported by the Red River Singers led by Hilary Coleman, held at Truro Cathedral on Thursday 16th December 2021 at 7.00 pm.Carols from St Ives sung at Truro Cathedral 16th Dec 2021 as part of the centenary celebrations of the Old Cornwall Societies.

Producer for Radio Cornwall, Daphne Skinnard, heard about our proposed carol service and recorded our joint rehearsal with the two participating choirs at Carbis Bay Wesley Chapel. The carols from the rehearsal were used in Radio Cornwall’s Cornish Carol Service on Christmas Day. Tiffany Truscott interviewed me about the Cathedral service live on air on Radio Cornwall the previous evening to help promote it:

From the Truro Cathedral You Tube channel:

‘The tradition of carol choirs is a wonderful part of life in St Ives. We have many chapels and the church, and we each do things slightly differently, but our shared love of the Nativity story, and our strength as a community means that we all respect each other’s differences, and sing with our hearts. I have a knowledge handed down and gleaned, and I fell it is my task to share it, inspire the present and to enhance the future with the St Ives carols.’

Acting Dean, Very Reverend Alan Bashforth, said:

‘The cathedral sees many groups and ceremonial moments, and Christmas is a very special time for many people. It is wonderful to be able to bring the local carolling tradition into this place so that it can be shared by people from all over Cornwall in a very special and very Cornish moment. I used to be a Curate at St Ives and I can’t wait to hear those voices filling these gothic rafters.’

President of the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies, Karin Easton, said:

‘It is the essence of what the Old Cornwall movement is about to bring people together and to share the delights and knowledge harboured in Cornish communities. The Movement is moving thorugh a period of celebrating centenaries – including the publication of ‘A Uniquely Cornish Concept – The story of the ‘Old Cornwall’ Movement’. St Ives was the first, and it is very fitting that it should lead this very singular community achievement’.

St Ives Cornwall Councillor, Andrew Mitchell, said:

‘I’m glad to be able to support this unique event. Its incredibly important for tomorrow’s Cornwall that all parts know all others, and can share in their delights and anxieties. Singing is such an uplifting thing to do, and Christmas is such a good time to do it. How wonderful to see my native town leading the way by taking over the Cathedral, if only for one not-so-silent night!’

For further information:

Carols of St Ives: published in celebration of the centenary of St Ives Old Cornwall Society 1920-2020 (published by the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies)

Hark! The glad sound of Cornish carols by Hilary Coleman and Sally Burley (published by F Boutle, 2017) recommended for further information about the St Ives carol singing tradition.

Federation of Old Cornwall Societies website: kernowgoth.org

Kresen Kernow; St Ives Carols: Shelf no 780.57  also ref no CMA/1/3/3 (Manuscripts)