Flora Day is considered “better than Christmas” by Helston folk, and the day before is like Christmas Eve. In the morning, greenery is left in the street for residents to decorate their houses and shop fronts.

There are four major dances on Flora Day, which this year (2019) will be held on Wednesday, May 8. The Midday Dance is the most prestigious.

In the morning, the first dancers emerge from the Guildhall on the stroke of 7 o'clock. The Hal an Tow leaves St Johns at 8.30am and finishes at the Guildhall around 9.30.

Leading the dances is considered to be the greatest honour for the townsfolk and is reserved for those who were born in the town. Leading this year’s Midday Dance will be Giles Clotworthy and Sandra Laity, followed by Mark Eaton and Rachel Eaton.

Taken from local websites.