It is no exaggeration to state that without Helston Town Band then the town’s annual Flora Day celebrations would not be possible.
The band are at the heart of the event, leading every dance and playing the familiar tune as only they can.
From the youngest members of the band to the most senior, everyone gets involved – with some of the junior band taking part for the very first time, and many dancing in the Children’s Dance before then walking the route again to play in the Midday Dance.
READ MORE:
- Morning Dance picture gallery from Helston Flora Day
- Midday Dance picture gallery from Helston Flora Day
- 61 Evening Dance photos from Helston Flora Day
Walking more miles than anyone else, they are there to get the day started at 7am for the Morning Dance and also close the day at the end of the Evening Dance – with the Children’s Dance and Midday Dance in between.
The closing of Flora Day’s official celebrations, with an encore from the band, has become legendary and a favourite part of the day for many.
While Helston’s band members are front and centre, they do receive some help for the two longest dances.
Due to the amount of dancers taking part in the Children's Dance and Midday Dance, two bands are needed – and for these Helston is joined by guests from other bands in Cornwall.
Among those joining in the day are often members from Porthleven Town Band, Camborne Town Band, Breage Silver Band, St Stythians Band and Redruth Town Band – with some returning to Helston from even further afield to be part of the town’s special day.
This year the band gave a special tribute to their former long-standing musical director Edward Ashton.
As the clock chimed 7am, the band played stationary to reflect on Edward’s ‘remarkable contribution’ to both Helston and the band, before they stepped off to begin the Morning Dance.
See below for more Packet photos of Helston Town Band on Flora Day 2024 and in our gallery at the top of the page.
*Due to our main camera memory card corrupting we have been unable to access 2,500 images taken on the day, for which we can only apologise.
See more photos in our gallery at the top of the page.
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