This year’s Flora Day will be extra special for four Helstonians, who have been given the honour of leading the Ancient Furry Dance.

The invitation to lead comes in a big year for Mark Stevens, who will be watched on the day by his new wife Sarah. The couple are due to marry next month and will hoping for no delays on their return from honeymooning in Portugal – they are due back on April 28, just ten days before Mark’s second Big Day of 2012.

Mark, 43, said he was “more than surprised” when he received the invitation from the Flora Day Association, adding: “I was quite shocked but incredibly pleased. I feel proud to be asked.”

Mark danced “numerous” times with Parc Eglos Primary School and Helston School before moving to Wiltshire to work. On his return he began dancing in the midday.

Mark, who now lives in Truro and works for Redruth-based DP Engineering, said: “There’s something magical about Flora Day. It brings the town together.”

Katherine, 34, said she was “shocked and excited” when she opened her invitation to lead, adding: “I wanted to tell everybody, but knew I couldn’t!”

She danced all the way through school, with Nansloe and then Helston School, and has also danced the 7am/5pm and midday dances in the past.

Katherine, who used to work in Blades hair salon in Helston before setting up her own mobile hairdressing business, added: “It’s the whole atmosphere of the day I love, and seeing friends you don’t see the rest of the year.”

She is having her dress made by Sithney-based designer Emma Griffiths and the design is firmly under wraps.

Watching proudly from the side with Katherine’s parents will be her five-year-old son Mawgan.

Mark and Katherine will be joined in the leading set by another Catharine – Catharine Finnemore – together with Neil Bassett.

Catharine has been dancing in Flora Day for more than 30 years – firstly with St Michael Primary School, and is thrilled to be leading this year.

She said: “I have done the full set – the morning, noon and evening dances and the children’s dance, so this just completes it all.

“I was thrilled when I found out, I just had to wait to tell everybody.”

Describing herself as excited to 11 on a scale of one to ten, Catharine, who lives in Porkellis, added: “It is a real honour, I will be so proud on the day.”

While Neil, 51, has danced with Parc Eglos School also in the morning/evening and the midday dances, his Flora Days for many years revolved more around playing with Helston Town Band.

He played cornet with them from the age of nine until into his 20s and estimates that, between dancing and playing, he has been involved in well over 60 Flora Day dances.

Neil, who lives in Porthleven with his wife Shirley and children Tom and Emma, said: “I didn’t think I would have the opportunity to lead, so I was pleasantly surprised when I was asked. It’s a real privilege.”

He said it was the “uniqueness” of Flora Day that he enjoyed, adding: “It’s a community day and I enjoy that. The great thing is you get to see people on Flora Day you’re probably not going to see for another year. Helston is a special place.”

Despite now living outside the town, Neil, who works as a civil servant, has strong Flora Day pedigree, having been born in St John’s Road and grown up in Cross Street – both on the dance route. “I have very happy memories of Flora Day, even before taking part,” he added.