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Town's 'gem' celebrates 600 years

John Devinein St Ives
John Devine/BBC A medieval bridge with limestone arches runs across a river with a small building overhanging one side, which is a chapel.John Devine/BBC
The Norris Museum will be hosting a special exhibition later this year telling the story of the bridge and chapel in St Ives

A 'gem' of a landmark in a Cambridgeshire market town is celebrating its 600th Anniversary this year with a diverse range of activities and events.

The chapel on St Ives Bridge was completed and consecrated in 1426 and is thought to be one of only four such chapels in the country and the only example with running water beneath it.

The structure was originally a place of prayer but has also been a toll collection point, a private house and even a pub.

The Norris Museum in St Ives says the bridge and chapel are extremely important to the town, adding it is "proud to look after such a treasured ancient monument".

John Devine/BBC Richard Carter has wispy light brown hair with matching beard and moustache, he has a black fleece on with dark checked opened neck shirt underneath, he has glasses on with a black frame, behind him are displays in a museum.John Devine/BBC
Richard Carter says the bridge and chapel are a "gem" for St Ives and many people don't realise the chapel was a residential home from 1540 until 1930
Norris Museum, St Ives Black and white photo of the bridge and chapel, with two extra storeys on the chapel when it was used a residential home, a man in a flat cap and suit can be seen rowing a boat on the right and buildings can be seen behind the structure that stretches across a river.Norris Museum, St Ives
The structure in 1900 was a house and included extra storeys but were removed after the residents complained of their home swaying when a traction engine passed over the bridge

Richard Carter, assistant at the Norris Museum, is working with local organisations to create a wide-ranging celebration which will "reflect its enduring importance to the town".

Carter said the bridge at St Ives was a main route to places like Cambridge and London, being the last bridge before reaching The Wash.

"It is believed that the chapel was installed on the bridge so that travellers could pause their journey to say a few prayers.

"It also housed a toll keeper, because crossing a bridge wasn't free, you had to pay". he added.

Norris Museum, St Ives St Ives town bridge in black and white from 1930, five arches can be seen crossing the river with a chapel in the middle with just one single building with arched windows in limestone.Norris Museum, St Ives
The chapel was restored to a single storey in 1930

Believed to be a first for the chapel will be the installation of an upright piano from May 4 for a week.

Organised by the St Ives Town Team and local businessman Nick Garrad who runs a music production company in the town.

"The chapel is one of the most beautiful buildings in the area, it has unique acoustics and the setting is stunning", he said.

Garrad got the idea to put a piano into the building as his wife plays, but does not get many opportunities to do so in public spaces.

"She won't have to be on a stage, so it'll be quite informal and certainly unique, sitting above the Great River Ouse", he added.

Anyone is free to play the piano or indeed play any other instruments they care to bring along during the week.

John Devine/BBC John Souter has a mainly bald head, with some white hair visible at the top which runs down the side of his face just above his ear lobes. He has a dark fleece jacket on with a red and white striped shirt underneath, behind him is a old stone arch and doorway into a chapel.John Devine/BBC
John Souter says an upright piano will be installed in the chapel from May 4 until the 10th "for anyone to come along and have a tinkle"

John Souter from the St Ives Town Team, a community group set-up to promote the town says the piano would be similar to those seen on railway platforms.

"Anyone can have a go - we ae hoping to see jam sessions of musicians calling by.

"One chap has booked in to bring his double bass, so that'll be great", he said.

Souter said he'd love to discover the next "Mrs Mills" who can "bash out some old fashioned sing-a-longs".

Email: townteam@stivescambridgeshire.co.uk to book a slot or for more information.

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