St Ives harbour(kokopopsdave/iStockphoto.com)
Why I work in St Ives, Cornwall “The interesting thing is the number of tourists we see. I love languages and I get to practise my German, Italian, Spanish and even Dutch.” — Chris Naidu, community pharmacist, Naimans UK Ltd.
Population 63,000
Local authority Cornwall council is a new county-wide unitary authority which was established on April 1. It replaced the county council (Liberal Democrat controlled) and other district councils including Penwith which covered St Ives. Following the 2009 June elections it became a hung authority, with the Conservatives the largest party.
MPs Liberal Democrat Andrew George is MP for St Ives.
Health service Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust in Truro 25 miles away has “weak” services and “fair” use of resources. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust, offices in St Austell 39 miles away, has “good” services and makes “fair” use of resources. It runs the Edward Hain community hospital in the town. Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust which has its headquarters in St Austell, has “good” services and use of resources.
Pharmacy school There is no pharmacy school in Cornwall. The nearest is at the University of Bath.
Local pharmaceutical committee Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly LPC represents 88 pharmacies.
Royal Pharmaceutical Society branch The Cornwall branch has 277 members; three fellows; seven preregistration trainees and 166 technicians.
Open space The town has a strong arts heritage because of its natural light. Turner and Whistler were frequent visitors. It is home to Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Gallery. The west Cornwall beaches offer some of the best surfing in this part of the UK with Porthmeor beach host to national and international competitions.
Schools St Ives Infant school and St Ives Junior school are both “good” while St Ives School, a technology college for 11 to 16 year olds, is “satisfactory”. Truro College, a FE and sixth form college 25 miles away is “outstanding.”
Commuter links The M5 finishes at Exeter where the A30 takes over and is the spinal route through the county. It is 25 miles from St Ives to Truro; and 39 miles to St Austell. Penzance is eight miles away via B-roads. Trains to St Erth 11 minutes then links to London (around five hours).
Property prices two-bed flat: £200k to£400k; three-bed semi: £185k to £400k; four bed detached: £250k to £500k
