John Eddy retires as chairman of Helston Flora Day stewards

It marked the final year that John Eddy was chairman of the Flora Day stewards, having taken over from Leslie Collins in 2007.

Mr Eddy has now stood down from the role. His hard work over the last 16 years was recognised at a presentation which took place during the Midday Dance rehearsal on Thursday, on the eve of Flora Day.

Accompanied by his wife Nan, Mr Eddy was thanked by Nick Wills, honorary secretary of the Flora Day Association, and presented with a large plant for his garden. Mrs Eddy was presented with a bouquet.

Mr Wills said: "The stewards are very grateful to John for all his hard work, advice and leadership during his time as chairman, which has seen many changes for which we are a much stronger and resilient committee."

Mr Eddy, who is well known in the town for formerly running Eddy and Son DIY and toy shop with his brother Donald, first became a Flora Day steward in 1974.

This year’s Flora Day saw a slightly damp forecast leading up to it, but in the event it remained largely dry for most of it, with only a short shower at the end of the Children’s Dance and some drizzle at the close of the Evening Dance.

A large crowd filled the town for the end of the Evening Dance (Image: Emma Ferguson)

Large crowds filled Helston to hear the first beat of the drum at 7am heralding the start of the Morning Dance.

A collective shiver ran through the crowd as that first bang of the bass drum coincided with the first strike of 7am from the Guildhall clock.

First out of the doors were Lucy Furlong and Graham Cook, immediately followed by Bethany Lynes and Charlie Conway making up the leading set.

Shortly after the dance passed through St Johns the Hal-an-Tow got underway, with its series of songs and stories played out in colourful fashion.

This year it was followed around town by a film crew from the new children's TV programme Treasure Tales, which will be shown on CBeebies later in the year.

More than 1,200 children then danced through the streets for the largest dance on Flora Day.

Leading the Children's Dance this year was Helston Community College, with the honour of being in the leading set given to Ollie Paterson, 18, Neve Goodwin, 16, Amy Hall, 16 and Josh Hichens, 17.

The college was followed by Parc Eglos School, Nansloe Academy and finally St Michael's School.

The dance set off in the dry, but unfortunately ended in showers for the children. Thankfully it was not too heavy and there were plenty of smiles still from those taking part.

By 12 noon a vast crowd had assembled around the Guildhall for the start of the Ancient Furry Dance, also known as the Midday Dance.

This year it was led by Lloyd and Lisa Harris, Lisa Ashdown and Darren Wallis.

Lloyd and Lisa, one of the rare married couples to be asked to lead together, were first out of the Guildhall doors at the stroke of noon, followed by Lisa and Darren.

The couples then swapped halfway around, following the break in Lismore Gardens, with Lisa and Darren at the front of the dance coming back up to the Guildhall to its conclusion.

Dancing on Flora Day came to a close on Friday with the Evening Dance leaders giving an encore to cheers and whoops from the watching crowd.

As has become traditional at the end of the 5pm dance, the leading set returned from inside the Guildhall for a brief circle of steps in the centre of the throng of people watching.

Reprising their roles from the Morning Dance were Lucy Furlong, Graham Cook, Bethany Lynes and Charlie Conway, whose job it was to also end proceedings as they had opened them.

The evening route is slightly different to the morning, bypassing Godolphin Road but this time heading into Lismore Gardens for a short break, courtesy of owners Sarah and Adam Corbridge.

It also dances in and out of shops in the town.