There was a double celebration in Helston this afternoon as the town marked the Royal Wedding.

Held at Monument Walk, next to the Grylls Monument, the party to mark the marriage of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle was also a chance to officially open a new Flora Day-themed shelter in that area, installed by the town council.

There was a celebratory atmosphere as people gathered to enjoy the glorious sunshine and listen to the joyful tunes of Helston Town Band.

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Many of them brought along a picnic to eat and there was a children’s fancy dress competition for the best dressed princess bride and groom.

In the event, new mayor John Martin and event organiser Nicola Boase declared all four entrants to be winners, but as the youngest there it was two and a half-year-old Maya who was given the honour of cutting the celebration cake with the mayor.

This was then distributed to the guests, as the town band continued their programme.

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Organiser Nicola Boase said: “Thank you to everyone who turned up, hopefully they enjoyed the band.

“I thought the town ought to do something for the Royal Wedding and hopefully bring people into the town on a Saturday afternoon, which is usually quiet. It’s definitely increased the footfall.”

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

As part of the afternoon gathering, Mr Martin also officially declared the new Monument Walk Community Shelter to be opened.

The town won £8,645 from the Big Lottery Fund towards the overall cost of the project, which was around £20,770 in total. The remainder was made up by £10,000 from Cornwall Council, as part of a devolution agreement that has seen the town council take on responsibility for that area, and £5,000 left over from the previous section 106 "supermarket" money.

The covered shelter has been placed at the far end of the newly paved area, to the side of the Grylls Monument, at the bottom of Coinagehall Street, next to the Castle Hill steps.

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The arc-shaped shelter, with follow the curve of the white-washed wall, features figures from each of the dances on Flora Day cut into its back.

It was first suggested to the town council towards the end of 2016 and town project officer (formerly regeneration officer) Martin Searle has been leading the project, under the direction of Helston's Public Realm Project Board.