Latest news with #Helston
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Look back at 20 years since last fatstock show at cattle market
One of Cornwall's much-loved livestock shows will once again return this November with the date now confirmed. This year is the 153rd Helston Fatstock Show and marks the 20th anniversary of the final event to be held at the old Helston Cattle Market, in 2005, before the show moved to Franchis Farm the following year – where it has remained ever since. In 2025 the show will once again be held at Franchis, on the Helston to Wendron road, by kind permission of Bob Cowell - and this year also marks the 20th show to be held all at the same time. The event this year will take place on Saturday, November 8. The Williams family - Geoffrey, Elizabeth and Robert - won champion heifer in 2006, the first show to be held at Franchis Farm (Image: Allan McLaren/Helston Packet archive) A cornerstone of Helston's heritage, the show, which began in 1870, is one of the longest-running traditional events of its kind. It features friendly competition, an educational and farming spirit, and a generous display of local produce and craft stalls. Originally held on a Monday in Helston town, livestock, crop, and produce sections were exhibited in the Drill Hall, with the Domestic section in the Guildhall near the museum. Later, livestock, crops, and farm produce moved to the Old Helston Cattle Market. George Rogers, from Hayle, shows off his winning flatpoll cabbages in 2005 (Image: Allan McLaren/Helston Packet archive) Following the demolition of the cattle market buildings in 2005, Mr Cowell kindly reached out and offered Franchis Farm as a venue for the 2006 show. This marked the first time in 136 years that all exhibits were housed in a single location. While initially at Franchis Farm, exhibits were somewhat separated, the new venue provided extra space, allowing for the addition of a Sheep Section. The show thrived, and in 2017, Mr. Cowell invited the show to move into a large, newly built shed, fulfilling the vision of housing the entire event under one roof. READ NEXT: Owner 'humbled' after chippy named Packet Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Budget cruise line to sail from Falmouth this year not once but four times! Cornwall college gets royal recognition at Devon County Show In 2018, show day moved to a Saturday, enabling more people and families to enjoy this celebration of food and farming. The show has continued to expand and thrive since. The event remains organised solely by volunteers committed to ensuring one of the oldest traditional prime stock shows not only continues but expands each year. A spokesperson for Helston Fatstock Show said: 'The fantastic venue has ensured the show's survival, and the show has become renowned for the welcoming and friendly atmosphere at Franchis Farm among exhibitors and visitors.' Mrs P Pascoe with her winning fatless sponge in 2005 (Image: Allan McLaren/Helston Packet archive) Looking ahead, the Helston Fatstock Show Society has also announced that Mr. David Nicholas will be the 2025 Show President. David is well known for his interest in and support for agricultural shows and Young Farmer Club events. He has chosen The League of Helston Community Hospital as his designated charity for his presidential year. Exhibit entry details can be found by contacting helstonfatstockshow@ or on Facebook.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Royal Navy families offered free swimming lessons in Cornwall
Royal Navy families in Cornwall are being offered free swimming lessons after an initiative was 22 May up to 60 children aged four to 16 from serving naval families will be offered lessons at Helston Sports said the lessons, provided by Swim Free Cornwall, will be delivered by qualified instructors and align with the Swim England Learn to Swim Atherton, development project manager at Swim Free, said the expanded scheme meant "even more children have the chance to learn vital, life-saving skills in a safe and supportive environment". "We're delighted to be expanding Swim Free to Cornwall and launching this new partnership with [leisure centre operator] GLL," he said."Providing free swimming lessons to young people from serving naval families is at the heart of our mission to build confidence, life skills, and connection through water."The free swimming lessons are available to book on the Swim Free website.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Thousands expected to attend Helston's Flora Day
Thousands of people are expected in Helston, in Cornwall, for the annual Flora Day festival. The event marks the end of winter and coming of summer, and has been celebrated for hundreds of years. The celebration has remained virtually unchanged for more than 200 years, with about 20,000 to 25,000 attending each year. During the day thousands of formally dressed dancers promenade their way in and out of homes and shops which have been decorated with spring flowers, following the beat from a brass band. The event is celebrated every year on 8 May, unless the date falls on a Sunday, the Sabbath, or Monday, Market Day, in which case it is held on the preceding Saturday. It begins at the Guildhall at 07:00 BST with the Early Morning or First Dance which was, in times gone by, the dance for workers and servants. This is followed by dances from pupils at Helston's four schools and couples dancing. At 17:00, the Evening Dance sees the same participants of the Early Morning Dance return to retrace the route of the Midday Dance. Organisers said Helston Town Centre would be closed to all non-emergency traffic between 05:30 and 22:00 BST. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ More on this story Related internet links
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Thousands expected to attend Helston's Flora Day
Thousands of people are expected in Helston, in Cornwall, for the annual Flora Day festival. The event marks the end of winter and coming of summer, and has been celebrated for hundreds of years. The celebration has remained virtually unchanged for more than 200 years, with about 20,000 to 25,000 attending each year. During the day thousands of formally dressed dancers promenade their way in and out of homes and shops which have been decorated with spring flowers, following the beat from a brass band. The event is celebrated every year on 8 May, unless the date falls on a Sunday, the Sabbath, or Monday, Market Day, in which case it is held on the preceding Saturday. ADVERTISEMENT It begins at the Guildhall at 07:00 BST with the Early Morning or First Dance which was, in times gone by, the dance for workers and servants. This is followed by dances from pupils at Helston's four schools and couples dancing. At 17:00, the Evening Dance sees the same participants of the Early Morning Dance return to retrace the route of the Midday Dance. Organisers said Helston Town Centre would be closed to all non-emergency traffic between 05:30 and 22:00 BST. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ More on this story Related internet links
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Thousands expected to attend Helston's Flora Day
Thousands expected to attend Helston's Flora Day Thousands of people are expected in Helston, in Cornwall, for the annual Flora Day festival. The event marks the end of winter and coming of summer, and has been celebrated for hundreds of years. The celebration has remained virtually unchanged for more than 200 years, with about 20,000 to 25,000 attending each year. During the day thousands of formally dressed dancers promenade their way in and out of homes and shops which have been decorated with spring flowers, following the beat from a brass band.
