Helston Flora Day

A Project By Charlotte Gilbert

Contents
• Origins – How it all began

• Early Morning and Evening Dance

• Hal-an-Tow

• Children’s Dance

• Midday Dance – Ancient Furry

Origins
THE LEGEND
• A “Fiery Dragon” is said to have appeared over
Helston many centuries ago and dropped a large
stone on what is now known as the Angel Yard. More
than a century ago, this great stone was split up to be
used for building. The people of Helston, thought the
town would be punished for breaking the rock and
when they weren’t they celebrated by dancing
through each others houses.
Origins
History
The origins of the dance are and connected
with ancient spring festivals all over Europe.
Nowadays the tradition prosperous harvests
goes hand in hand with the splash of colour
all over the town, the joyous music and high
spirits of all involved.
Morning and Evening Dance
• The morning dance starts at
7.00am
• The evening dance starts at
5.00pm
• Long ago this was made for the
servants to dance.
• If you dance the morning you
have to dance the evening.
• Would you want to dance?
Hal-an-Tow
The Hal-an-tow tells the story of St. George
and the Dragon. The story is very interesting.
People dress up and dance around.
Children's Dance
The children's dance starts at 10 am, the
children from primary schools such as St
Michael’s , Parc Eglos, Nansloe and
Helston Community College Dance through
the streets.
Midday Dance –
Ancient Furry
At midday there's the dance. This is The
Ancient Furry Dance Participation is still by
invitation only and there is no greater honour
for a Helstonian than to be asked to lead the
dance. To do so you have to be Helston born.
Gentlemen wear morning suits and top hats
while the ladies have long dresses, gloves
and "garden party" hats. The dance leaves
the Guildhall at the strike of noon and makes
its way around the streets going in and out of
houses, shops, offices and banks as the
participants follow in the footsteps of their
ancestors and add another link to the history
of this magnificent spectacle.
Helston Town Band
• All the dances are lead by Helston Town Band
playing the famous tune as only the know
how. As one can imagine it is a tiring day for
the band as they cover many miles with
heavy instruments playing all the way. It is
little wonder they are so highly praised for
their part to this unique day.

• Helston Town Band can claim ownership of

the different Flora Dance. Passed down
through the generations of Helston
bandsmen and women, no written music
exists.
• The Flora Dance is sacred to Helston Town
Band and has never been written on
manuscript to ensure it remains only within
the band.
• The band plays for all four dances and covers
16 miles during the day
Flora Day 2013
Glossary

• Hal An Tow – a play about a dragon

• Flora - flowers & foliage
• Furry – old name of the dance
• Helston- a place in Cornwall
• Band- people who play instruments
• Dragon – a fire breathing mythical animal
• St Michael – the Patron saint of Helston
Thank you