The Loving Cup

On the day of the Major Choosing there is a tradition that all the school children of the town come to the guildhall to drink from the loving cup and have a saffron bun. This solid silver cup is gilded with gold and stands nearly two feet high; Sir Francis Bassett of Tehidy, the Recorder of St Ives, presented it to the town in 1640.

The inscription on the base reads:
"iff any discord twixt my friends arise within the burrough of beloved St Ives itt is desired that this my cupp of love to eurie one a peace maker may proue then am I blessed to have giuen a legacie si loke my hart unto posteritie"

The Health and Safety police changed the tradition slightly a few years ago as they decided drinking for the same cup might spread germs so now they have to use a straw. This year in response to complaints that the traditional drink of Cherryade had too many E numbers in it they have changed this to lemonade. WHAT THE xxxx. For 360 years no one died from a cold sore germ or a few E numbers - Get a grip Heath and Safety Executive !!!