It's the question that many people in Helston have been wondering ahead of this year's Flora Day - will the dances return to Penhellis, after it was shut off last year in the wake of the Covid pandemic? 

Unfortunately, the Flora Day dance stewards have now confirmed that while the dancers will make their way past the care home, the grounds will once again not be open to the public, following a recent Covid outbreak there. 

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The announcement was shared on the Helston Flora Day Association Facebook page this morning.  It reads: “Unfortunately, due to a Covid outbreak this week, Penhellis House will be closed to the public on Flora Day, the Children's, Midday, and Evening dances will still dance through the garden.”

The stewards told the Packet: "Although concern regarding Covid-19 has now receded, and activities have returned to a more pre-pandemic norm without legal restrictions, the illness has not gone away.

“Flora Day is predominantly an outdoor, community event that is well-ventilated. Nevertheless, we ask that you always maintain a social responsibility for other attendees.”

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In previous years Helston Town Band and those taking part in each dance will dance through and briefly stop in the gardens of Penhellis, a care home for the elderly for about 15 minutes, for a short break before continuing the dance.

The gardens are usually a popular spot for members of the public to join friends and family to watch the procession dance through.

However, when Flora Day returned last year, for the first time since 2019, having been cancelled for two years due to the Covid pandemic, the stewards announced that Penhellis House and its garden would be closed to the public to help limit exposure to the residents and "make their day more enjoyable."