Millennium House: Events

Gala Day....Just after 1.00pm Roger Bennison, Chairman of St Ive Parish Council, opened the new skate park to a demonstration by a couple of professional skaters inviting his audience to witness something that had been in the planning stage for several years. He then opened the Carnival.

The first activity in the main arena was the fancy dress with many entries in the two children categories. The group award was a tense occasion contested by a group of beautiful young ladies in eye catching costumes and a motley crew of cowboys and Indians more commonly known as Hicks’s Heroes. It was a close decision and eventually the girls were awarded 1st prize. The guys, with one girl, were given a special award (Making The Effort).

At 1.30 we welcomed, for the first time, Callington Town Band who received warm applause during and after their performance.

They were followed by another episode of ‘It’s A Knock Out’, compared by ‘Big Dave’ the teams of young and old, boys and girls competed as if at the Olympics.

Third into the arena were old favourites ‘Tavistock Twirlers’ (pictured left, top left) who gave a rousing performance of precision marching and twirling. They feature youngsters of all ages and are a credit to their tutor Cynthia Martin.

A new feature this year was the ‘World Pasty Eating’ competition sponsored by ‘Proper Cornish of Bodmin’ and hosted by Roger Defries. Who could eat a pasty in the shortest length of time? Well the winner, and a popular one at that, was ‘Big Al’ (pictured left, top right)who received a bottle of Champagne.

We had further performances from Callington Town Band and 'Tavistock Twirlers' finishing the program of events with the Knock Out ‘Tug Of War’, somehow won by the girls. The overall winners were the ‘Young Ones’, a group of fit, talented young men.

Other activities taking place included Professor Gordon with his ‘Punch and Judy’ and magic show, and hosted by your favourite aunt Ruth, the 'Bonny Baby' show. The overall winner in the show was Duncan Dyas born 29-12-2008.

Other activities taking place included the bouncy castle which proved very popular, a number of children’s stalls manned by Colin Swinburne (Football Club), Annette Stephens (School), and Mary & Matilda Firth, together with Carole Hutchinson who raised £30.00 towards the Christmas children’s party, face painting provided by Charlotte Robins, skittles manned by Bill Batten and Andy Hassam and a number of community, craft and car boot stalls.

Also pictured above: bottom l-r....the fun sack race, and the 'St Trinian' girls of Pensilva.

It was Sunday 22nd of November, the heavens opened, the wind blew and ‘Crafters’ from all over Cornwall gathered at Millennium House for the annual Christmas Craft Fair.

Over 60 exhibitors braved the cold and wet to set up their wares at Millennium House in both the Function Room and Sports Hall. They had arrived at 8.00am knocking on the doors ready to set up their fabulous array of gifts, cards, toys, Christmas decorations, cakes, etc and especially jewellery.

We were unsure as to the level of attendance with the inclement weather, but were very pleasantly surprised by the vast numbers of the public who attended.

A raffle was held, the first prize a beautifully decorated Christmas cake won by Mrs Mary Thomson who was delighted with her win.

Father Christmas was in attendance greeting the children with a cheery smile and a present for all, and Jess Gilbert provided face painting.

Stallholders were so impressed with the venue and organisation that many of them have requested a Spring Fair be held in March 2010. (Watch out for details)