ST Ive village covers a great deal of land - being spread not only along the road between Liskeard and Callington and divided into St Ive Parkfield, Church End and Keason - but also reaching both north, and south to St Ive Cross.

As a result it could have developed 'split' identities, but that does not seem to have occurred to any great extent. Instead the chapel, institute and village hall and parish church organise events throughout the year which are enjoyed by all elements of the village, making it a true community.

St Ive, like St Cleer and Menheniot, grew due to mining - in l861 the population of all three parishes exceeding 8,000, many brought in by the discovery of lead at Menheniot which extended to Quethiock and St Ive. The village is also in a strong farming area, the Mutton and Bunkum families among those who have tended the land for generations. In fact St Ive was once the site of one of the largest cattle markets in the West of England, this held near where the newly renovated Butchers Arms pub trades. Donald Mutton, who has now retired from farming, said it was a thriving market, unfortunately killed off by what would have been the cost of bringing in mains water.

There are many such rich historical facets to St Ive, which was the birthplace of Emily Hobhouse, revered by the South Africans because of her work during the Boer War to aid those imprisoned in British-run prisoner-of-war camps.

Edith Wormald now lives in the former Rectory, which was Emily's home. Despite coming from a North Cornish family in which she was told of many famous Cornish people she said she had no idea about Emily until moving to St Ive because much of her story was suppressed - as she was seen to be helping the Boers. However, this has now been redressed, with many books about her, and at least three visits to Edith's home by South African television companies researching Emily's work.

Edith is secretary of St Ive WI (the president being Margaret Hawken), and said that next spring a play about Emily, written by a Saltash circuit member, is to be performed by WI members in St Ive chapel.

The local WI at one time seemed to be on the brink of closing, as it was down to around seven members, but within a year six new people joined, leading to the award of a silver trophy from the Cornwall Federation of WIs for increased membership. Edith, who has lived in St Ive since l956, remembers when there was a Co-op there, two other shops, a Post Office facility and a garage selling petrol, as well as visits from butchers, a fishmonger and a grocers from Pensilva.

Caradon councillor for St Ive ward, William Mutton (better known as Donald) now once again lives in the house he was born in, which was an old chapel. A retired farmer he comes from a farming family, his grandfather Thomas Mutton being the first to establish himself in the village when he began farming a three-cornered field at Brandize Park. He transported much of the stone he used for building at the farm by pony and cart from an Upton Cross mine, his son Redvers Raymond Mutton afterwards taking over the farming reins. Donald, a Lib Dem councillor now in his second term at Caradon, is married to Ruth, the Cornish Times correspondent for St Ive. They have lived in numerous parts of the village, but have never strayed beyond St Ive's border, Donald's Uncle Joe once ran a general store selling corn, sweets and biscuits etc in the days before most people had cars. Ruth said because there are no longer any shops in the village, a Post Office van from Bere Alston visits for a half-hour every Monday morning.

Language

She added that numerous village events are run annually, such as a fun day organised by the chapel's younger element, and involving an entertainment, competitions and car boot stalls in the Playing Field opposite the chapel on the first Saturday in July. The Rev Martyn Smith is minister of the chapel, which continues to hold its junior church anniversary each year, as well as a Cornish language carol service - that for year 2000 being the 29th such service.

Both Ruth and Donald have been heavily involved in organising the Institute and village hall, being chairman and secretary at one time. Don first became involved in l944 and is still vice-chairman. The hall, built in l926 on land given by the Bennett family, is now undergoing extensive renovation, much of this due to grants, and work put in by secretary Jill Ede.

St Ive parish church rector is the Rev Ron Lucas who has reported an upturn in attendance since a letter was distributed outlining the financial burden of keeping such parish churches running in this new century. Mr Lucas said he was delighted with the response, which has led to lunches being held on the first Sunday of every month following a family service - the initial one proving very successful. Christmas services at St Ive included a Christingle service, Nine lessons and carols, an auction of carols, a charity collection for the homeless, Christmas Eve carols around the tree, and Midnight Mass.

Despite its country setting St Ive is also a hive of industry, including Alan J Gimblett Cars, which specialises in selling nearly new cars, and carrying out mechanical repairs. Alan Gimblett and his brother-in-law took over the running of the business in l984, Alan becoming sole owner five years later. Handily situated on the main road, the company has grown very successfully over the past years, mainly through word of mouth and repeat business. Part of the growth also stems from the relaxed, friendly service always given at the garage.

Alan highlighted the community spirit he has found in the village, saying there are many fun days etc which gain a great deal of local support. William 'Henry' Thomas has helped with the garage's bookwork for many decades. He said it was built and operated in the early l950s by Gordon Bawden, and then was sold to racing driver Nick Garbett, and afterwards to Palmers of Callington. Henry, who was a friend of Gordon's, was a mathematics and physics teacher at Callington - and Alan was a past pupil of his.

Farmers

Tamar Tractors has been in St Ive since l987 and, despite having to be rebuilt following a fire in l995, has gone from strength to strength. The company is an agricultural machinery dealer specialising in the New Holland range of tractors, and also selling second hand four wheel drive vehicles. One of the directors, Ian Hackworthy, said they started by selling second hand tractors, and then successfully acquired a dealership. The firm, which employs 15 people, is used by both contractors and farmers.

South West Excavations and Plant Sales is sited next door. This firm, which buys and sells construction equipment - as well as hiring it out for self drive purposes - has been in St Ive for a couple of years, although it has been run by Philip Cross for l8 years. Previously based in Liskeard it moved for expansion reasons.

Philip said they are always ready to advise people who want to build their own homes, or excavate a piece of land etc. Their satisfied customers are spread far and wide. Due to worldwide advertising they have shipped their equipment, which ranges from items you can wheel to 40 tonne excavators, to countries including Southern Ireland, France, Mexico, Morocco and Malaysia.

Another local firm with a number of happy customers is carpenters and builders, R H Libby and Sons. Previously St Ive also had a school, plus a blacksmiths shop (where Don Davy now lives), Mr Hawken and Mr Hodsoll both being past blacksmiths.

Jean Searle has lived in St Ive all her life, and will be 69 next month. She lives at Cross and said everyone helps each other out when they need assistance. It is peaceful and tranquil, but one downside is lack of a regular bus service. Her parents, Win and Will Cardew, lived there. Now in their nineties they will have been married for 70 years next year. Among those very involved in St Ive life are Barbara Bennett, who helps out at many fundraising events; chairman of the gardening club Gordon Bennett; Cornish bard Hilda Gillbard who lives in an ancient property which was once a monastery; Jack Barrett who is one of the oldest residents; and Bernard and Alan Libby who run a youth club at the chapel on Friday nights. Bernard's mother, Mrs F Libby, helped her mother, Mrs Davy in the then St Ive post office and eventually took it over. She died at the age of 93.

Bishop Snowdon has lived in the same St Ive house for 45 years. He worked for Cornwall County Council as a lorry driver for 38 years, and was the village alarm clock, for when he drove past at 7am everyone knew it was time to get up. He still works as a driver from Walsall to Penzance but, following his 'retirement', for Alan Gimblett. His wife, Doris' maiden name was Clatworthy, the Clatworthys being an old St Ive family.

Bishop is among those who play at the village snooker club which usually meets in the village hall, but can't at the moment due to the improvements, so instead gathers at Raymond Bunkum's Thornton Farm.

He said he wouldn't want to move elsewhere - but one bone of local contention is the fact that there are still no street lights in St Ive, despite all the council tax village residents have to pay!