Have you ever noticed there is a well at the bottom of Porthmeor Hill? Lots of people walk past it and don't realise it is there.
It actually is very significant to St Ives.
This well used to the the main fresh water source for a lot of St Ives. Until 1843 when the first public piped water supply for St Ives was connected, people used to have to go to the well to collect fresh water. The river Stennack was also used but was believed to be quite contaminated with sewage and mine discharge.
Now in modern times, the well is used in the St Ives Feast Day at the beginning of February for the blessing.
Click here to read all about the St Ives Feast Day and Silver Ball >>
The well is called several things - Venton Eia, Well Of St Eia, Venton Ia Well (venton means well in Cornish).
So what or who is Eia?
St Eia is the patron saint of St Ives. Legend says she arrived in Cornwall by sea from Ireland on a leaf!
Festival Of Britain Plaque
On the wall by the 2 wells is an engraved stone. This used to be one of the 6 Festival Of Britain plaques made by the Leach pottery for the Festival in 1951.
Click here to read all about the Festival Of Britain plaques >>
