CHRISTMAS in St Ives this year is set to be bigger and better than ever as the second St Ives in December, organised by the town's chamber of trade and commerce gets under way.
Cheap and free parking offers, two major weekends (one devoted to arts and crafts and the other to food and drink), the arrival of Santa Claus on the town's lifeboat to help switch on the Christmas lights, regular Saturday party trains from St Erth and loads more in the shape of carol and shanty-singing, ghost walks and treasure hunts all go to make the town a 'must-visit' destination over the next few weeks.
There is absolutely no doubt that for those living in the outlying areas of St Ives, the offer of free and cheap parking will be a real draw. From next Friday, December 6, all of the town's long-stay car parks will offer a ticket for all-day parking for just £2.
The offer applies to almost 1,000 spaces at Trenwith, Park Avenue, the Station, the Island and Barnoon car parks, and will run all the way through the Christmas period and into the new year.
Free parking
In addition, Pete Eddy is offering free parking at his Stennack car park during the arts and crafts weekend on December 7 and 8 and during the food and drink weekend on December 21 and 22.
On the same weekends, drivers will also be able to park at St Erth Station for £1 for the whole day in a bid to encourage more people to let the train take the strain.
The offers were developed by the town's Chamber of Trade and Commerce in liaison with Cornwall councillors Tim Andrewes and Andrew Mitchell following negotiations involving Cornwall Council, First Great Western and Peter Eddy.
If you fancy joining the party trains – running on the three Saturdays up to Christmas – simply buy your tickets at St Erth or Lelant Saltings stations and join the party on the last carriage of every train into St Ives from 10am to 1pm; pay an extra 50p per child on the platform, jump into the decorated party coach and enjoy the fun with music and a children's entertainer as well as picking up a goody bag for each child.
