These cheerful ceramic mugs are now available from the shop in Helston’s Museum of Cornish Life, next to the town hall.

Remembering that sunny day and the local children playing cricket .

Some years ago the local teachers brought their junior school pupils across the road to my studio, they came in small groups to make a collaborative painting on canvas. It was the same village children playing cricket one late summers day, that I painted. That day, sitting outside with them, I wanted to capture their joy and energy, the long grass was full of buzzing insects and a big Cornish sky blew the clouds passed us, it was a memorable afternoon , drawing those happy carefree children.

Those children are now grown , the school has become a house, and the playing field is marked out for new houses. Life is ever changing.

To celebrate Helston’s Flora Day , The Children’s Dance .

It is the Children’s Dance at Helston Furry that inspired the original painting used in this design . The town of Helston celebrates the end of winter with this ancient tradition , it is a lovely family day for everyone. The local school children are traditionally dressed in white, and the girls wear flowers in their hair . The partners dance to the beat of the Brass Band ahead. They wend their way through the crowds up and down the streets , and in and out of houses, which are decorated with foliage flowers and bluebells …. as they have been on this special day for generations.

Previous Blogs – Flora Day Helston, 2022

Helston Flora Day. Saturday 6th May 2017.

Flora Day Official site – https://helstonfloraday.org.uk