2010 marks the 900th anniversary of the royal charter that started St Ives Fair. The story of St Ives as a town begins with this historic event.

King Henry I granted the charter in the year 1110. It allowed a fair to be held for eight days every Easter. At about the same time the first bridge was built here over the Ouse, replacing an ancient ford. So people could now reach St Ives much more conveniently, without getting their feet wet!

Merchants and traders flocked to St Ives by road and by river and the fair went on to become one of the four biggest in England. It grew smaller in the later Middle Ages but by then St Ives had a weekly market as well as the annual fair. In 21st-century St Ives the Monday market is still going strong.

St Ives 900 will be our celebration of the event that created our town. Throughout 2010 from Easter until October there will be special events of all kinds with something to suit everybody. Find out more by visiting the Town Council’s website on www.stivestowncouncil.gov.uk and following the links for St Ives 900.