The Furry at Helston

On the eighth of May Helston kept the Furry, a general holiday begun with drums, kettles and an old song. Anyone found working was carried on a pole to the river and made to leap it, or could pay towards the day’s cheer instead. The revellers demanded a holiday for the grammar school, went into the country and came back at midday with flowers and oak in their hats, then danced hand in hand through the streets and in and out of every house. The dance is still kept as Flora Day.