Since 2015, the main fund raising event for the St Ives Community Fund has been the annual Secret Gardens of St Ives. This has never failed to be a joyous, fascinating weekend – no matter the weather – when roughly a dozen private gardens open their gates to the public, and people get to see a different side of the town.

Often hidden away and off the beaten track, the gardens range in style and size. Among those taking part in recent years have been Talland House where Virginia Woolf stayed as a child and also the home of the painter, Borlase Smart. One year St Ives Infant School opened its grounds, as did Tregenna Castle Hotel and the very different St Ives Community Orchard. All of these along side more modest but equally intriguing domestic spaces. So popular

and well-known is the weekend that some visitors even book their holiday to coincide with it!

In its infancy, the Fund shared the profits with other organisations: the St Ives Foodbank, Friends of the Library, the local Scout group and the Skate Park Fundraising group. But in recent years, with the increase in applications for financial help, proceeds have been solely for the Fund. In 2022 the event raised roughly £3,000.

Secret Gardens of St Ives will wake place over the weekend of June 10-11th in 2023. If anyone would like to open their garden or to help, please email tamwill@hotmail.co.uk 

More information about ticket sales will follow.