With the countdown now on to Helston’s biggest day of the year, the leading set for this year’s Flora Day’s Midday Dance 2024 has been revealed.

Tom Collins (aka ‘Boomer’), Justine Dale, Lee Padgeth and Jenna Sobey (nee Firth) have been named as the four who have the privilege of leading the dance around Helston this Flora Day.

First out the door of the Guildhall at 12pm will be Tom Collins and Justine Dale.

Falmouth Packet: Justine and Tom will lead the dance out of the Guildhall at midday Justine and Tom will lead the dance out of the Guildhall at midday (Image: Kate Lockett | NQ)

Tom described it as both an honour and a shock to be asked, saying it was something he never expected.

He has a strong Flora Day pedigree, however, with his father Peter Collins leading the Early Morning and Evening Dances in the past and his aunt being the late Mary Collins, who was secretary of that dance for more than two decades and led the Midday Dancy in 1992 with Nick Wills, now honorary secretary of Helston Flora Day Association.

Due to an issue with addresses, Tom actually received his invitation in person, via a phone call from Nick, and told the Packet: “It was a total surprise, I’ve got to be honest.

“Being Helston born, it’s in your blood; it’s born into you. My family has always been a big Flora Day family.”

Tom danced all through Nanlsoe School before taking a break during secondary school. After joining the army, he resumed dancing on his return, taking part in the Early Morning and Evening Dances every year and also some Midday Dances.

Now living in Illogan, the 51-year-old works for a countryside maintenance firm. However, it won’t be shouts of ‘Tom’ he will be hearing on the big day, but instead ‘Boomer’ – his nickname from school, and how almost everyone refers to him.

Falmouth Packet: The happy four outside of Lismore House The happy four outside of Lismore House (Image: Kate Lockett | NQ)

Tom is partnered with 35-year-old mother of two Justine Dale, the daughter of Chris and Julia Dale of Dale’s Butchers in Helston.

Justine said she was ‘slightly apprehensive’ when she received the invitation, as she is the only one in her entire family to be invited to lead the dance.

However, she is now focusing on the big day, including finding her perfect dress with the help of her sister Carla and her mum. She said: “I am so excited to be invited to lead this year.

“I was shocked when I was handed the invitation, and slightly apprehensive as I thought ‘Why me’.

“I am so proud and honoured to be leading this year, and I can’t wait.”

In her childhood years, Justine attended Wendron Primary School and Helston Community College. She now works at Dale’s on the deli counter alongside other members of her family.

Not only will leading the dance be a special memory for Justine, but this year it will be her eldest daughter Immee’s last year dancing for Nansloe Academy.

Making up the lead set will be Lee Padgeth and Jenna Sobey.

Falmouth Packet: Lee Padgeth and Jenna Sobey will take over the lead from Lismore Lee Padgeth and Jenna Sobey will take over the lead from Lismore (Image: Kate Lockett | NQ)

This will be the 19th year that 28-year-old Lee has danced on Flora Day, however this year it will be completely different.

Lee, who previously worked at Raisons Opticians in Helston, but now works at Specsavers in Falmouth and Helston has danced in the Morning and Evening, the Children’s Dance during his primary school and secondary school days, before applying to dance the Midday.

Although this will be the third time Lee has participated in the Midday Dance, he said that this year will ‘hit differently’ when the band starts at 12pm. He said: “It’s always an emotional moment when you hear the drum at the beginning of the dance, but this year it will hit completely differently as we will be right behind it.

“Excited is an understatement.”

Lee’s love for the day showed in 2020 when Flora Day was forced to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lee celebrated the day with his friends, family, and neighbours safely by throwing a Flora Day-themed social distancing event on the green outside their house.

Lee will be partnered with Jenna Sobey.

Jenna admits it was a huge surprise to her when she opened the invitation for the Midday after returning from a trip away. She said: “We had just got back from being away and checked the post. There was a letter in there, and I thought to myself ‘It’s no one’s birthday, who sends letters these days?’ When I opened it and realised what it was, I just held it to my chest and just stared at my husband.

“It’s an honour to be invited to lead, you can’t top that.”

Falmouth Packet: The four are each 'excited' and 'honoured' to be taking the lead this year The four are each 'excited' and 'honoured' to be taking the lead this year (Image: Kate Lockett | NQ)

Jenna, who is the wife of Origin Coffee founder Tom Sobey, has danced with St Michael’s School and Nansloe Academy in the Children’s Dance as well when she was at Helston Community College, only missing out when she was in year ten.

Whilst Jenna was a trainee reporter for the West Briton in Helston, she was invited to dance the Midday for the first time. She has gone on to dance again and said she ‘loved it every time’.

Leading the Midday Dance now tops what was already going to be a special day for Jenna, who explained: “This year, my aunt is coming back from Bristol to play in the band for the Midday – the first time in about 25 years! It’s all a bit much.”