Flora Day may always be an unofficial holiday in Helston – but thanks to a major historical anniversary, next year’s event will fall on an actual public bank holiday, possibly for the first time ever.

It is after the government decided to delay the May Day holiday to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, which marks the day when fighting against Nazi Germany came to an end in Europe during the Second World War.

Instead of Monday, May 4, when it would have fallen, the public holiday will be that Friday, May 8 – which as every Helstonian knows, is the day of Flora Day.

Quite what happens to Helston’s main calendar event and the effect of the bank holiday and VE Day commemorations on it is not clear.

However, assuming it goes ahead as normal then it is safe to say it could be the busiest one ever as most people who would normally have work commitments will be free to attend.

The Flora Day Association has yet to comment on the situation, although it is understood that it will be discussed at one of the planned committee meetings in the coming months.

It is only the time second ever that the May Day bank holiday has been moved, after it was changed from May 1 to the following Monday, May 8, in 1995, to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day.

However, in that year it would have had little bearing to Flora Day as it still fell on a Monday – when by tradition Flora Day is never held, due to it historically being the town’s market day. As a result, on that occasion the event would have been held on the preceding Saturday anyway.

For this reason it may be the first time, certainly in recent history, that Flora Day coincides with a full public holiday.

Announcing next year’s date change, business secretary Greg Clark said: "It will ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to remember and honour our heroes of the Second World War and reflect on the sacrifices of a generation."

  • Can you think of any other major events that Flora Day has fallen on? Comment below or on the Packet Newspapers Facebook page.