Morning and Evening Dances on Flora Day, leading set 2024

Tom Mitchell, Amy Williams, Andrew ‘Andy’ Toy, and Melanie ‘Mel’ Toy are the four privileged to lead the Morning and Evening Dances around the town on May 8.

First out the Guildhall door at 7am will be Tom Mitchell and Amy Williams.

Tom Mitchell and partner Amy Williams (Image: Tom Mitchell)

Tom said it was an ‘honour’ to be invited to lead the Morning and Evening Dance this Flora Day.

Tom told the Packet how he feels about being invited to lead this year. He said: “I am excited, it was an honour to accept.

“My family are excited and pleased for me – especially my young daughters Ava and Mia. Ava is so excited about Flora Day.”

The 32-year-old has been involved with Flora Day from a young age. Tom has danced in the Children’s Dance whilst a pupil at Parc Eglos Primary School and then moved on to the Morning and Evening Dances.

Tom (R) and Amy (Middle L) have danced together or as part of a four since a very young age (Image: Amy Williams)

As well as this, Tom has also played in the band along with his sister Rosie, and cousins Ben and Louise Christophers, for several years.

He is also a part of the Flora Day Association and is currently one of the stewards for the Children’s and Midday Dance.

And it’s not just Tom who is passionate about the day, his mother Denise Mitchell (nee Christophers) led the Midday in 2001, while his aunt and uncle, and other family members have also danced.

Tom is also a steward for the Children's and Midday Dance (Image: Tom Mitchell)

Tom teaches year five and six pupils at St Keverne School and is married to Amy (nee Sparrow). 

Tom’s dance partner is, by coincidence, also called Amy - mother-of-one Amy Williams.

Amy and Tom have danced together as partners and as part of a four since they were pupils at Parc Eglos Primary School.

Amy, 32, who works for Devon and Cornwall Police in admin, said she felt ‘great’ when she received the invitation to lead, and said it was something she ‘wasn’t expecting’.

Amy Williams and Tom Mitchell dancing the Morning and Evening on a previous Flora Day (Image: Amy Williams)

Since the age of six, Amy has participated in the Children’s Dance, and then the 7am and 5pm dances since the age of 17.  

Being invited to lead is not just only a special moment for Amy, but for her family as well. She said: “My mum (Julia Williams) led the Seven and Five in the 90s, and my papa (Clifford Thomas) had previously also led the dance.

“Sadly, he passed away. But I have continued to dance, it’s for him.

“My Granny said I was keeping the tradition alive."

Amy's papa, Clifford Thomas leading the Morning and Evening Dance in the 1950s (Image: Amy Williams)

Amy told the Packet that she was looking forward to ‘hearing the music’, the ‘first drum’ and the final part of the dance on May 8.

Amy on Flora Day last year with her young son (Image: Amy Williams)

She will also be cheered on by a very special person this year, her one-year-old son, who Amy said will be ‘much more aware’ this year.

Making up the lead set will be Andrew ‘Andy’ Toy and his sister, Melanie ‘Mel Toy’.

Andy Toy and sister Mel (Image: Supplied)

Andy said he ‘had a feeling’ when his older sister Mel handed him the invite at a recent family holiday in the Lake District.

“I had a feeling I knew what was coming’, Andy said. “I was delighted when I knew what it was.”

The father of three attended Parc Eglos Primary School throughout his childhood, before going to Treliske School – now known as Truro School Prep.

Mel and Andy on Flora Day 2022 (Image: NQ)

Andy said he was ‘gutted’ that he couldn’t take part in Flora Day, due to being at school on the days it fell on. However, he made up for the times he missed, by celebrating it with friends when it fell on a Saturday.

Andy, 41, now lives in Manchester with his three children and wife Becky.

Andy said it was ‘phenomenal’ that his children who aren't Helston born are so interested in Flora Day, particularly the famous music. He said: “The kids love hearing the Flora Day music and will listen to it any time of the year – it could be November and they still want to hear it.

“They have only been to the day a few times, but they will march around the house playing the tune on their recorder, it’s phenomenal.”

Mel and Andy in 2023 (Image: NQ)

Sadly, due to their eldest child being at school on the day, Andy’s family won't be able to make the long trip to Helston to see him dance.

“I am gutted they are not going to be here, “Andy said. “But it can’t be helped.”

However, Andy hopes that there will be plenty of video footage and photos of him and his sister Mel leading the dance throughout the town on May 8.

Keeping it in the family, Andrew will be dancing with his sister, Melanie ‘Mel’ Toy.

Mel was overcome with emotion when she received her invitation last month after 20 years of taking part in Flora Day.  

Andy and Tom on Flora Day 2023 (Image: NQ)

“My mum said that there was a letter for me, and it looked important,” said Mel. “When I opened it, there were two letters in there – usually it’s just one letter.

“When I realised what it was, my first thought was ‘oh wow’ and then I had a bit of a cry.

“Flora Day to me, and many other Helstonians is better than Christmas, and I am ecstatic to be a part of the leading set.”

The former Parc Eglos pupil is the granddaughter of Hugh Trevena, who was one of the Midday stewards for almost 40 years. Sadly, Hugh passed away in 2018.

Mel, who has been a healthcare assistant at Helston Community Hospital for more than 20 years, told the Packet that she ‘can’t wait’ for the big day and to be dancing with her brother Andrew once again.