The custom of Hurling the Silver Ball is one of Cornwall’s oldest customs, dating back at least 1000 years, but today only takes place in two places including St. Ives this coming Monday.
The game which is also known as Cornish Hurling, is very similar in nature to the community football games we’ve reported on in the past, except in Cornwall they use a cricket ball-sized ball made of apple wood coated in Stirling silver. In essence the mayor of the town throws the ball from the wall of the Parish Church into a crowd of ‘countrymen’ and ‘townsmen’ who then fight to keep possession of the ball until noon.
Whoever has the ball at the end of the contest is given the princely sum of five shillings. The hurling of the silver ball takes place this Monday 7th Feb 2011 at St. Ives near Newquay.
More St. Ives Resources:
Historical details on the Hurling the Silver Ball
More attractions around St. Ives in Cornwall
Hotels in Newquay (near St. Ives)
Holiday cottages in St. Ives
One Comment
It is no longer a contest “countrymen” and “townsmen” – that stopped years ago. It is now the local children and teenagers who compete for the Silver Ball.
A film describing the event today and its history – by the Mayor of St Ives – is here:
http://www.stivescornwallblog.co.uk/2011/02/st-ives-feast.html