St Ives Bay Community Choir News 2026
Trewartha Care Home
Monday 11th May saw sixteen members of the choir signing in to Trewartha Care Home to spend some time entertaining the residents and their care workers.
Our repertoire included a number of well-known Cornish songs and it was lovely to see and hear people in the audience joining in with the singing.
Steve Bassett was our soloist in ‘Cornwall My Home’ and ‘Proper Job’ and as always he really did do a proper job!
The concert was a great success and made extra special with Alan Thomas returning to his place next to Steve and in front of Donald to sing bass. We were so pleased to welcome Alan back after a few months absence with health issues.
It was lovely to see Sally at her first outing with the choir, which she and all of us enjoyed.
Thank you to the Care Team at Trewartha House for the refreshments at the end of our concert - they were greatly appreciated. We look forward to our next visit.
Report by Vicky Taylor
May Day Celebrations on Monday 4th May
As part of the May Day celebrations our choir was invited to sing for 30 minutes prior to the selection of the May King, Queen, Prince & Princes, the Maypole dancing and a procession through the streets of St Ives.
The festivities began outside St Ia Church near the War Memorial in Market Square. The sun was shining as 19 members of the choir began the set with one of our favourite songs – ‘With a Song’
William Thomas, our Musical Director, engaged with the ever-growing audience – encouraging them to join us in singing the Cornish songs. Lamorna proved to be very popular with some people participating with actions as well as singing.
Steven Bassett was our soloist in two songs – ‘Proper Job’ and ‘Cornwall My Home’ and as always did a grand job!
With three songs to go the sun disappeared behind a rather dark cloud. It was tempting to sing ‘here comes the rain’ rather than ‘Here Comes The Sun’ but we sang the original words, donned our sun hats and sunglass at the end and managed to escape the rain!
We finished our set with ‘Trelawny’ and it was lovely to see and hear so many people join in to sing the Cornish Anthem. As we dispersed the St Ives Rotary team continued with the festivities of May Day 2026.
Report by Vicky Taylor
Photo courtesy of Bill Thomas
More photos in Gallery 2026 >>>
Combined Concert with Pentyr Singers
5.55pm on Thursday 26th April there was a buzz of anticipation amongst the 24 choir members waiting for the coach to whisk them off to our concert in Helston. Would the coach be here on time? At 6.05pm our transport arrived – we loaded the equipment, got on board and set off on our adventure. We were heading to the Methodist Church in Helston to join up with other members of our choir who had chosen to travel independently.
This evening we were the guest choir at a concert organised by the Pentyr Singers, together with their Musical Director Sarah Curnow and accompanist David Wingham.
The concert began with introductions from Sarah and then her choir’s first set of three songs. It was then our turn - the St Ives Bay Community Choir - led by William Thomas with our accompanist Alison Ashby. Each choir sang three sets and finally we came together to sing ‘Hail To The Homeland’.
Both choirs included songs where there was audience participation and throughout the concert the audience showed their appreciation with lots of applause. Afterwards several people said how much they loved our singing because it was obvious we were enjoying ourselves. We must have been smiling!
We were invited for refreshments at the end of the concert before once again boarding the coach to take us home.
On Friday 18th September we will be hosting a concert in Fore Street Methodist Church when the Pentyr Singers will be our guest choir.
Many thanks as always to William, Alison and the choir. Also, a big thank you to Lynda and Anne B for the roses for the ladies. Finally, a thank you to Richard and Ann Stone for letting us use their car park for the evening.
Report by Vicky Taylor
Photo courtesy of Bill Thomas
More photos in Gallery 2026 >>>
Message from Pentyr Singers regarding Helston Concert:
William, thanks so much to you and your lovely choir for being our special guests last night.
The concert was really fantastic and there have been many compliments from both audience and choir members.
I think we achieved a great balance of material between us and I loved hearing your choice of music - some super pieces!
Please thank your singers and accompanist for their wonderful performances. We are really looking forward to joining you again in September.
Concert at the British Legion
On Thursday 5th March our choir joined the St Ives Concert Band to give a concert at the British Legion. The concert was in aid of the National Coastwatch Institution and the invitation for us to sing came from Annie, an NCI volunteer and a choir member.
St Ives Bay Community Choir, was led by William Thomas, with Alison Ashby as our accompanist. As it was St Piran’s Day, the choir wore black with the addition of a white rose with Cornish tartan. St Piran is the patron saint of Cornwall and tin miners. On this day across Cornwall people celebrate their identity, culture and heritage.
The choir sang three sets including songs in Cornish, songs about Cornwall and some of our favourites.
The St Ives Concert Band with their leader Sarah Hall played two sets each including well-known tunes from 1930’s up to the 1970’s. The musicians were excellent and it was very tempting to get up and dance!
It was a full house and the audience thoroughly enjoyed the concert with lots of foot tapping to the band and singing some of the songs with the choir. There was a lovely atmosphere to the evening bringing the community together in support of the NCI and the brilliant work that they do.
The evening was rounded off with people collecting their raffle prizes and all of us enjoying a lovely Cornish cream tea provided by the British Legion Club.
Report by Vicky Taylor
Photo courtesy of Bill Thomas
More photos in Gallery 2026 >>>
Thank you letter from Cornwall Hospice Care
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