This year's St Piran Parade in Falmouth could be the last after the founder of the event annouced her retirement, putting its future in doubt

Once again, the primary schools in the Falmouth area will be reuniting with musicians from Falmouth School on March 6 to dance and sing in the streets of Falmouth in celebration of St Piran.

For the past 14 years a very small committee wanting to give the children of the Falmouth area a taste of their culture and heritage through dance, song and music has organised the event.

But this year organisers say the future of the event could be under threat after the founder Vicki Ferguson announced her retirement, if a replacement is not found.

Shetold the Packet it all started when she was driving home from enjoying the Penzance parade and said to a friend: 'Why isn't there one in Falmouth so we don't have to do a 50 mile round trip?'. 

"I approached Falmouth Town Council who responded good idea, get on with it. So, I was trying to learn Kernewek at the time, I asked Esme Tackley, who was running the course, if she would be interested and would help.

"She enthusiastically agreed and for several years she, her husband, Roger, and I organised it from, originally begging a few pennies from local businesses to pay for anything we couldn't persuade other businesses to donate to regular sponsors. After a few years Lizzie Congdon and Judy May joined us.

"Our first year, we had four schools attend - Falmouth School, Penryn School, Mylor and Mabe with our post parade entertainment in the WI hall.

"Subsequently, our home became the Methodist Church. We are thrilled the ladies from there will be with us again this year at KC Church, serving refreshments to those in the Parade to four times the number of children.

"I shall never forget the pure joy I felt at the successful conclusion of that first Parade. Another strong memory is the day it poured with rain, but the teachers insisted we held the parade.

"We scuttled around the 'Tesco block' with the teachers singing the tune for the children to dance. The lovely Methodist ladies welcomed us back, opening the church for us to continue dancing before serving refreshments in the Wesley Hall.

"None of it would have happened without the help of some very good friends who always turn out to help. But it is time for someone else to take it over. We will help if wanted, but need to hand over the mantle."

Leaving The Moor at 10am on Monday, March 6 the parade will dance the Falmouth Furry as it wends way via the Prince of Wales Pier to the start of Market Street from where everyone will be marching to Trelawny, lustily singing and waving our flag.

At Church Corner the parade will enter King Charles Church for refreshments and entertainment which will include the story of St Piran, some Kernewek and singing.

Everyone is welcome to join,either walking or dancing, or lining the streets to cheer and wave the flag.

The parade will take place on Monday, March 6 and will leave The Moor at 10.00am via Webber St, out along the Prince of Wales Pier and through the main street to Church Corner, where there will be music and entertainment upon arrival. 

The event, which is held every year in Cornwall on March 5, is the national day of Cornwall, a tradition inspired by the legend of St Piran.

St Piran was the patron saint of tin and the holiday began as a celebration observed only by tin miners.