FRIENDS OF AYR FIELD
Protecting Ayr Field for everyone
OUR MISSION
PROTECTING OUR HERITAGE
Since 2005, Friends of Ayr Field has been a collective voice for St Ives. We work to preserve this historic green space as a vital community asset, ensuring it remains accessible for all generations to come.
AYR FIELD, ST IVES - A HISTORY
Many of you will know that Ayr Field is about the only large green area of land left in St Ives. Back in 2005 a group of people got together to bring this land back into recreational use by local people rather than its use as a car-park. St Ives Town Council now own and manage this lovely green space, known as Ayr Community Park. A voluntary group, Friends of Ayr Field, are organising events for the local community and an annual Summer Fayre is just one of the events held here.
In the 1700 and 1800s, Ayr Field was part of the Earl Cowley Estate and subsequently under the ownership of the Stephens family, who also owned Ayr Manor House and, later, went on to build Tregenna Castle.
However, much later in 1914, an article in the Times and Echo newspaper shows that the children of St Ives Junior School were asked to bring in any money they could in order to buy the field for use as the School’s Playing Field. This they did and the field was used by the Infant and Junior schools until the school closed in 1986.
Ayr Field has been used by the children and people of St Ives over the years for many things; as a rugby field; a football pitch and for Sunday School Tea Parties - newspaper articles relating to tea parties held there in 1891 or 1894 are in St Ives Archive. The Field was also used on Coronation Day in 1953. A Coronation Tea Party was then held in what was Burt’s Garage – now the site of Ayr Court Flats.
It is enjoyed these days by the St Ives Sea Scouts, children learning to ride bikes, roller skating, dog walkers and people generally sitting on the seats resting and enjoying the view of the sea in quiet reflection – hopefully in the sunshine.
More importantly, it has been used on many occasions by the Air Ambulance. When the tide is in and the Air Ambulance is needed, Ayr Field is the only suitable place for it to land, near the doctors’ surgery.
Should you wish to get involved in the community events on this lovely green space, contact the Friends of Ayr Field.
AYR FIELD AWARENESS
GET INVOLVED
01.Petition Campaign
Join a coordinated petition campaign supporting the protection of Ayr Community Park from development. Supporters can review the campaign case, submit their details securely, and add their name to a collective call for continued recreational use. Petition participation helps build visible community support and enables campaign updates.
02.Supporter Registration
Register as a supporter of Friends of Ayr Field to receive campaign news, action alerts, and updates about the future of Ayr Community Park. The registration form captures relevant contact information and supporter interests for ongoing communication. New supporters can choose how they would like to help raise awareness and protect the space.
03.Advocacy Action
Take practical action to support the preservation of Ayr Community Park through shareable campaign messages, local awareness activities, and direct expressions of support. Participants can access clear action steps and submit their contact details for future campaign coordination. This service helps turn community concern into organized public advocacy.
OUR STORIES
Explore the history and shared heart of Ayr Field through this gallery. From local gatherings to historic tea parties, we honor the green space that unites our St Ives community.
