Flora Day is not just any day in Helston, it’s one of the oldest festivals known and has been celebrated in the UK for hundreds of years. The locals are extremly passionate about Flora day. So much so that even Helston family members who live outside of the UK will travel the distance to return to celebrate the festive day.
The people of Helston proved that bad weather couldn’t rain on their Flora Day, the Cornish tradition that has been kept alive for hundreds of years celebrating the arrival of the green of Spring.
At 11AM just after the children’s dance, the sunny weather soon changed to rain and even when the weather seemed like it couldn’t get any worse, there were still smiles all round from the children and elderly taking part in the traditional Flora dance.
The Cornish market town, decorated its streets with bluebells, gorse and laurel leaves from the surrounding countryside to make floral arrangements for the streets where the parades took place.
The flowers, dresses, flags and stalls ensured the town was colourful and alive. Locals and tourists alike enjoyed a beverage or noshing on a hogroast bap outside the pub. The atmosphere gave the presentation of a real festive community.
Not only were there several dance parades throughout the day, the vibrant town had plenty to offer with a multitude of food and clothes alongside the funfair.
A brother and sister from Helston share their experiences of Flora Day:
Thomas Butcher: “We try to come every year – In terms of being a part of the dances you have to apply and you will be chosen depending if you’re Helston born or not. Helston born locals stand at the front of the dance and the non Helston born stand at the back. I’ve done the 7am and 5pm dances before which are an honour. However my sister Katherine has been dancing for 5 years.”
Katherine Butcher: ‘I have done two dances today, I was in the 10 o’clock children’s dance which was fun, but for the midday dance you have to be over 18.”
A student from Truro also shares what Flora Day means to him:
Dan Higgins: “I’ve been going to Flora Day since I was 15 but now it’s an excuse to get merry and enjoy the festive day drinking and socilising with everyone.”
Here are some of the images taken at this year’s Flora Day, Helston, Cornwall -
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