HELSTON Methodist Church is getting people in the spirit of Flora Day with an exhibition in the lead up to the big day.
The chapel upstairs is filled with more than 1,000 pictures, dresses, suits and other Flora Day memorabilia. Some of the outfits were donated from Helston’s Museum of Cornish Life, along with members of the public who have danced over the years. And Simpsons, Penzance has lent the suits for the display, having dressed the male Midday Dancers for years.
Rev Danny Reed, who organised the event, said: “We wanted to celebrate the return of the big day and decided to host this exhibition, partly for those who are coming back to Helston for the day.”
Some of the dresses on display date back to the 1940s, about five of the dresses are from the 1960s, and some are from 2019s Flora Day – the last time the event happened.
Jimmy and Esther Johns looking at photos of themselves in the Hal-an-Tow
Sandra Laity lent her leading Morning and Evening Dance dresses, Jean Kearny, Nicola Boase and Sally Ann Pethick all donated dresses as well, and Lisa Prout donated some of the children’s outfits.
Helston Town Band also has their own display, with their CDs available to purchase.
The Hal-an-Tow display was designed by Gillian Geer, who oversees the preparation of the tradition.
Some of the pictures on display show well known Helston residents who are no longer with us, such as Fred Angove, Lorna Howells and many more.
The display at the front of the chapel
On Sunday there was a special Flora Day service opened by John Eddy, with around 150 members in the congregation – something that the church has done for the past few years.
Today (Wednesday) there will be a conversation on the history and insights of all things Flora Day, at 7.30pm.
The exhibition will be at the church for the rest of the week until Tuesday, May 9, open from 9am to 1pm and then 6pm to 9pm Monday to Friday.
Danny said he would like to thank Cornish Life Museum, members of the public and Simpsons for their support.
The late Fred Angove on a previous Flora Day
Dee Perry looking at a photo of the late Lorna Howells, a childhood friend.
Photos of previous Flora Day past.
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