Ayr Field Day 2009 - Courtesy of Eia Films
Sunday saw much of West Cornwall drenched by heavy showers whilst the sun shone in St Ives for the 4th annual Ayr Field Day. Ayr Field Day has become a new tradition in the town and an estimated 1400 people attended this years event. The day opened with a stirling performance from St Ives Concert Band and concluded with a massive junk percussion workshop with over 60 participants led by Big Beat, fresh from Glastonbury. Other highlights included a very mature performance by young local band The Detonators while elsewhere on the field Cornish dancing by Tros an Treys delighted the crowds.
Steve Parry who took his 2 young grandchildren to Ayr Field Day for the first time, commented "Wow, what a great day". "The field is brimming with a superb sense of community spirit and everyone is having lots of fun".
Ayr Field projects are possible via a combination of grant funding, donations and support from Cornwall Council. The sale of plants, refreshments, the coconut shy and a large raffle help Ayr Field Community Group raise important funds. Martin Curtis Treasurer of the group was pleased to confirm that the group raised over £1400 at Ayr Field Day. Daphne Bassett won the star prize of a years membership to St Ives Leisure Centre worth over £350 and was delighted with her win saying 'How exciting to win such a great prize in support of Ayr Field'.
"Ayr field is run by volunteers for the benefit of all in St Ives, we thank all who help make Ayr Field Day such a well supported community event" Rissa Parsons - Ayr Field Community Group
Thanks to funding from the National Lottery via the BBC Breathing Places the day helped celebrate the success of Ayr Field as a green open space. The fund has allowed volunteers at the field to create a butterfly garden and local children helped complete the space with a willow fence during the day.
