THE Hal-an-Tow, a celebration of welcoming back the summer after winter months, is a integral part of Flora Day that has taken place for hundreds of-years and will return alongside the dancing on May 7 after a two-year absence.
In the nineteenth century the Hal-an-tow was abandoned, but was revived again in 1930. 'Hal-an-Tow' was once more widespread, and was sung in other towns in Cornwall besides Helston. Some version of the song goes back to the 1600s, since the chorus was written down at that time, but the full verses were not recorded until the 1840s
The dance starts at 8.30am, after the Morning Dance finishes, beginning at St Johns Bridge, in St Johns Road. The route then will go up towards the Grylls Monument at the bottom of town, then proceed to Number 1 Cross Street – one of the oldest buildings in the town.
After this, the mobile pageant – which tells the story of St Michael defeating the devil, St George killing the dragon and arrival of St Piran to Cornwall – will then head towards Penrose Hill and will spend some time outside the historic Old Green School, which now belongs to CAST. They will then move on to Meneage Street, the bottom of Trengrouse Road, and then back towards the Guildhall where they will finish, in time for the Children's Dance which starts at 9.50am.
Hal-an-tow outside the monument.
Former mayor Gillian Geer, who also previously owned Gillian's Larder in Meneage Street, has been in charge of organising the Hal-an-Tow for 27 years and told the Packet: "Everyone is welcome to take part, providing they're physically well as it's quite a long walk from area-to-area."
Children are also welcome to take part, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
A old photo from Flora Days Hal-an-Tow
Charlotte Burke, who works as a hairdresser at TJ Barbers in Meneage Street took part in the dance in 2017 with her sister and twin daughters Emily and Jessica.
Charlotte wanted her daughters to experience the dance, before they started doing the Flora Dance in school, saying: "It was as good as dancing the Flora Dance, it didn't disappoint, the girls had a great time.
"I hope to do it when my five month old daughter Evie-Rose is old enough to take part."
More than 60 people attended rehearsals for the Hal-an-Tow last week, 20 those haviing never taken part in the historic celebratory act before. The rehearsals take place at Epworth Hall, and when the sun decides to show, they take rehearsals outside onto The Bowling Green.
The next rehearsals will be Monday, April 25 and Monday May 2 at 7.30pm.
A photo of St Michael, who defeated the dragon.
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