A leaked briefing note has highlighted major and shocking changes to Cornwall’s “cultural calendar” following the privatisation of Visit Cornwall, with the suggestion that Flora Day be moved to Falmouth.

A new body, Cornwall Association for Services, Hospitality, Culture, and Official Welcome, raised concerns that the event had outgrown Helston, and that following the success of the Tall Ship’s Regatta in Falmouth, the town was better placed to host the event if “strategic tourism development objectives are to be realised”.

Among the issues raised were the mass of people crowding into Helston’s town centre streets, particularly for the children's dances and the Midday Dance, with Events Square or the Moor in Falmouth thought to be a better fit if the event is to be “marketed to external visitors to increase revenue”.

There are also suggestions that rather than the selection of dancers being made at local level, a Cornwall wide committee would try and secure high profile celebrities to take the first dance steps.

The briefing note says that this will give a “high press recognition factor”, adding it would “almost guarantee coverage in national newspapers”.

The practise of having people with strong links to Helston as the lead dancers was also questioned, with it called “exclusive” and “lacking diversity”. There should be the chance for people to pay to take part, including a VIP package to allow people to be in the top ten couples.

School pupils from Helston would still take part, however they would be joined by Cornwall Council youth "ambassadors", chosen from schools around Cornwall based on the value of their parents' houses, whether they are related to a Cornwall councillor, and and how good they will look on TV.

Mick Taker, communications officer for the body said: “There is no doubt that opportunity for financial inflow from out of Cornwall is vital for the future of the tourism industry and the event will never develop into a fully fledged and profitable part of the Cornwall tourism calendar while it stays in Helston.

“People just do not recognise Helston as having the same cachet as Falmouth or St Ives to affluent ABC1 visitors from the capital and the south east, and while this is a bold move, it makes long term sense.”

A Falmouth council official, Flora Stealer, called the idea, “exciting”, adding that with the town at the heart of Cornwall’s identity and an influx of rich out of county people Falmouth was perfect to host the rebranded event.

“Many people move here from more affluent areas and cannot understand it when the local population are not enamoured by their upcountry accents, tendency to stick their oars in, general ignorance and the fact they have pushed house prices up by 700 per cent in ten years.

“This will be a way for them to pay through the nose to be accepted into the local community,” she added.

The briefing note from the organisers recognises that there may be resistance to the move and, while the Packet has asked Helston Town Council for a comment, the only noise that could be heard from the council’s office sounded a lot like ploughshares being turned back into swords and a distant shout about there being plenty of weapons up at Culdrose.

April Fool!!