View source for Helston

{{Short description|Town in Cornwall, England}}
{{For|the former parliamentary constituency|Helston (UK Parliament constituency)|}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox UK place
| static_image_name = Helston Guildhall, Cornwall, England arp.jpg
| static_image_caption = Coinagehall Street is the main street of Helston. The Guildhall flies a flag
| country = England
| map_type = Cornwall
| region = South West England
| official_name = Helston
| cornish_name = Hellys
| coordinates = {{coord|50.10|-5.27|display=inline,title}}
| population = 11,611
| population_ref = (Parish, 2021)<ref name=2021census>{{cite web |title=2021 Census Parish Profiles |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021_pp |website=NOMIS |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=31 March 2025}} (To get individual parish data, use the query function on table PP002.)</ref><br>{{nowrap|11,360 (Built up area, 2021)<ref name=bua>{{cite web |title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021 |website=Census 2021 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref>}}
| civil_parish = Helston
| unitary_england = [[Cornwall Council|Cornwall]]
| lieutenancy_england = [[Cornwall]]
| constituency_westminster = [[St Ives (UK Parliament constituency)|St Ives]]
| post_town = HELSTON
| postcode_area = TR
| postcode_district = TR12, TR13
| dial_code = 01326
| os_grid_reference = SW664273
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 11
| mapframe-point = none
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
}}

'''Helston''' ({{langx|kw|Hellys}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.magakernow.org.uk/pdf/placename_masterlist.pdf|title=List of Place-names agreed by the MAGA Signage Panel|access-date=2015-01-11|publisher=Cornish Language Partnership|date=May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729194902/http://www.magakernow.org.uk/pdf/placename_masterlist.pdf|archive-date=29 July 2014}}</ref> is a town and [[civil parish]] in [[Cornwall]], England, United Kingdom. It is situated at the northern end of the [[The Lizard|Lizard Peninsula]] approximately {{convert|12|mi}} east of [[Penzance]] and {{convert|9|mi}} south-west of [[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]].<ref name="ReferenceA">Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 203 ''Land's End'' {{ISBN|978-0-319-23148-7}}</ref> Helston is the most southerly town on the island of Great Britain and is around {{convert|1+1/2|mi|km|round=0.5|abbr=off}} farther south than [[Penzance]]. At the [[2021–2022 United Kingdom censuses|2021 census]] the population of the parish was 11,611 and the population of the built up area was 11,360.

The former [[stannary]] and [[market town|cattle market town]] is best known for the annual [[Furry Dance]] (known locally as the Flora Dance), said to originate from the [[Middle Ages|medieval period]]. However, the [[Furry Dance#Pageant|Hal-an-Tow]] is reputed to be of [[Celtic mythology|Celtic origin]]. The associated song and music, [[The Floral Dance]], is known to have been written in 1911.<ref>The music and lyric were written in 1911 by Kate Emily Barkley ("Katie") Moss (1881-1947) who was a professional violinist, pianist and concert singer.</ref> In 2001, the town celebrated the 800th anniversary of the granting of its Charter.

==History==
[[File:Helston boundary stone.jpg|thumb|The borough boundary stone at Nansloe]]
The name comes from the Cornish "hen lys" (or "old court") and "ton" added later to denote a [[Saxons#Saxons in Britain|Saxon manor]]; the [[Domesday Book]] refers to Henliston (which survives as the name of a road in the town). Only one edition refers to 'Henlistona'.<ref name=Genuki>{{cite web| url = http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Cornwall/Helston| title = Genuki: Helston, Cornwall| access-date = 29 March 2016| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160401010100/http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Cornwall/Helston| archive-date = 1 April 2016}}</ref> It was granted its charter by [[John, King of England|King John]] on 15 April 1201,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-03-28 |title=Helston's Royal Charters {{!}} HELSTON HISTORY |url=http://www.helstonhistory.co.uk/history-of-helston-3/helstons-royal-charters/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |language=en-GB}}</ref> for the price of forty marks of silver. It was here that tin ingots were weighed to determine the [[tin coinage]] duty due to the [[Duke of Cornwall]] when a number of [[stannary]] towns were authorised by royal decree. A document of 1396 examined by [[Charles Henderson (historian)|Charles Henderson]] shows that the old form "Hellys" was still in use<ref>Henderson, C. (1933) "Helston", in his: ''Essays in Cornish History''. Oxford; Clarendon Press; pp. 67-74</ref> The manor of Helston in Kerrier was one of the seventeen [[Antiqua maneria]] of the Duchy of Cornwall.<ref>Hatcher, John (1970) ''Rural Economy and Society in the Duchy of Cornwall 1300-1500''. Cambridge University Press {{ISBN|0-521-08550-0}}</ref> The seal of the [[Ancient borough|borough]] of Helston was [[Michael (archangel)|St Michael]] his wings expanded and standing on a gateway. The two towers domed upon the up-turned dragon, impaling it with his spear and bearing upon his left arm an [[Escutcheon (heraldry)|escutcheon]] of the arms of England, viz Gu three lions passant guardant in pale Or, with the legend "''Sigillum comunitatis helleston burg''".<ref>{{cite book|last=Pascoe|first=W. H.|title=A Cornish Armory|page=133|year=1979|publisher=Lodenek Press|location=Padstow, Cornwall|isbn=0-902899-76-7}}</ref>

It is a matter of debate as to whether Helston was once a port, albeit no actual records exist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cornwall-calling.co.uk/gazetter-cornwall/helston.htm|website=cornwall-calling.co.uk|title=Helston, Cornwall|access-date=29 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210556/http://www.cornwall-calling.co.uk/gazetter-cornwall/helston.htm|archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> A common belief is that in the 13th century [[Loe Bar]] formed a barrier across the mouth of the [[River Cober]] cutting the town off from the sea. [[Geomorphology|Geomorphologists]] believe the bar was most likely formed by [[sea level rise|rising sea levels]], after the [[Last glacial period|last ice age]], blocking the river and creating a [[shoal|barrier beach]]. The beach is formed mostly of flint and the nearest source is found offshore under the drowned terraces of the former river that flowed between England and France, and now under the [[English Channel]].<ref>May, V. J. "Loe Bar". In May, V. J. and Hansom, J. D. (2003) ''Coastal Geomorphology of Great Britain'', (Geological Conservation Review Series, No. 28), 754 pp. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.</ref>

[[Daniel Defoe]] describes Helston (1725) in [[A tour thro' the whole island of Great Britain|his tour around Great Britain]] thus, ″''This town is large and populous, and has four spacious streets, a handsome church, and a good trade: this town also sends members to Parliament.''' He also mentions that the River Cober makes a tolerable good harbour and several ships are loaded with tin, [between Lowertown and Helston, but not to the sea]; although over one hundred years before Defoe, [[Richard Carew (antiquary)|Richard Carew]] (1602) described Loe Bar as ''"The shingle was relatively porous and fresh water could leave and seawater enter depending, on the relative heights of the pool and sea"''.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Defoe|first1=Daniel|title=A Tour Through the Whole Island of Great Britain|date=1991|publisher=Yale University Press|location=New Haven and London|isbn=0-300-04980-3|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/natureofpolitics0000mast}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Martin|first1=Benjamin|author-link=Benjamin Martin (lexicographer)|title=The Natural History of Cornwall and Devonshire|date=c. 1770}} (part of the author's ''The Natural History of England, or, A description of each particular county'')</ref> Defoe's description seems to be the first and possibly the origin of other sources claiming Helston to be a port in the historic period.<ref name="russell">{{cite web|last1=Russell|first1=Stephanie|title=Historic characterisation for regeneration – Helston|url=http://www.historic-cornwall.org.uk/csus/towns/helston/csus_helston_report_2002R071.pdf|website=Cornwall & Scilly Urban Survey|publisher=Cornwall Archaeological Unit|access-date=13 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030454/http://www.historic-cornwall.org.uk/csus/towns/helston/csus_helston_report_2002R071.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> Loe Pool is referred to in a document of 1302, implying the existence of Loe Bar at this date, if not much earlier, and thus precluding the passage of shipping up the Cober.  At the same time it was recorded that the burgesses of Helston exercised jurisdiction over the ships anchored at Gweek, but no mention was made of ships at Helston, and no customs records or other documentation of port traffic relating to Helston survives;<ref>''The History of Helston'', p. 392.</ref> thus confirming the fact that Gweek has for centuries been the recognized port of Helston.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> There is no known archaeological evidence for the existence of a port* at Helston and there is no primary evidence to support Defoe's account.<ref name="russell"/> [[John Leland (antiquary)|Leland's]] description of the Loe Pool is thus:<blockquote>''"Lo Poole'' is a 2 miles in length, and betwixt it and the mayn se, is but a barre of sand: and ons in 3 or 4 yeres, what by the wait of the fresch water and rage of the se, it brekith out, and then the fresch and salt water metyng makith a wonderful noise. But sone after, the mouth is barrid again with sande. At other tymes the superfluite of the water of Lo Poole drenith out through the sandy barre into the se. If this barre might be alway kept open, it wold be a goodly haven up to Hailestoun."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Polsue |first=Joseph |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DRwiAQAAIAAJ |title=A Complete Parochial History of the County of Cornwall: Compiled from the Best Authorities & Corrected and Improved from Actual Survey ; Illustrated |date=1872 |publisher=William Lake |location=Boscawen Street, Truro |pages=Supplementary Papers: 75 |language=en}}</ref></blockquote>However, contributing to the belief of a port at Helston was the discovery of what some people believe to be slipways and mooring rings, during excavations around 1968.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite web|title=HELSTONIA – The Blue Anchor Demythologising my local|url=http://www.patrickcarroll.co.uk/helstonia-the-blue-anchordemythologizing-my-local/|first=Patrick|last=Carroll|access-date=26 October 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408232033/http://www.patrickcarroll.co.uk/helstonia-the-blue-anchordemythologizing-my-local/|archive-date=8 April 2016}}</ref><ref>Kittridge, Alan, 1989 ''Cornwall's Maritime Heritage''. Twelveheads Press</ref> There was no known shipping from the sea after 1260, but before 1200, in 'the 1182 record of Godric of Helleston paying a fine of ten marks for exporting his corn out of England from Helston without a licence.' This could be considered the most significant piece of documentary evidence signifying Helston's former port days, though it does not prove the case.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://loepoolforum.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/could-helston-have-historically-been-a-port-settlement-neatest-dissertation.pdf |title=Could Helston have historically been a port settlement? An analysis of available evidence and LiDAR remote sensing data cross referenced with a survey of the lower Cober/Loe valley |access-date=9 May 2018 |first=P. |last=Nicholls |archive-date=21 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821174633/https://loepoolforum.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/could-helston-have-historically-been-a-port-settlement-neatest-dissertation.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Toy|first=Spencer|title=A History of Helston|year=1936 |publisher=Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford |location=London|pages=17, 18}}</ref> At the time of Domesday Book, Gweek had no inhabitants whilst Helston was the largest settlement in the west of Cornwall, with 113 households.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Place: Helston|url=http://opendomesday.org/place/SW6527/helston/|publisher=Open Domesday|access-date=2 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412085753/http://opendomesday.org/place/SW6527/helston/|archive-date=12 April 2016}}</ref> In 1837 a plan was drawn up to open Loe Pool to shipping using a pier to counteract siltation, but it was never carried out.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Helston Harbour|url=http://www.helstonhistory.co.uk/loe-bar-pool/helston-harbour/|first=G. G.|last=Matthews|date=29 March 2013 |publisher=Helston History|access-date=26 October 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003205304/http://www.helstonhistory.co.uk/loe-bar-pool/helston-harbour/|archive-date=3 October 2015}}</ref>

The site of [[Helston Castle]] is now a bowling green near the Grylls Monument, which has been there since 1760. The castle was built in 1280 as a simple stone structure for [[Edmund, 2nd Earl of Cornwall|Edmund, Earl of Cornwall]]. By 1478 it had fallen into disuse and ruin.<ref>Bates, R and Scott, B: 1999, Helston Town Trail Leaflet</ref>
[[File:Helston Coinage Hall.jpg|thumb|Helston's [[Helston coinage hall|Coinage Hall]] c.1796. ]]
A free chapel of ease perhaps also built for Edmund, Earl of Cornwall before 1283 was dissolved by the [[Dissolution of Colleges Act 1547|chantries act 1547]] and turned into [[Helston coinage hall|Helston's coinage hall]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Henderson |first=Charles Gordon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_vjktgAACAAJ |title=Essays in Cornish History. By Ch. Henderson. Ed. by A.L. Rowse and M.I. Henderson |date=1935 |language=en}}</ref> This was later demolished by public subscription raised by Helston's sitting [[Member of parliament|M.P.]], [[Charles Abbot, 1st Baron Colchester|Charles Abbot]], following his return in the [[1796 British general election|1796 general election]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Toy |first=H. spencer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YHjaYgEACAAJ |title=The History of Helston, by H. Spencer Toy |date=1936 |publisher=O.u.p. |language=en}}</ref>

==Geography==
Helston is situated along the banks of the [[River Cober]] in Cornwall. Downstream is Cornwall's largest natural lake [[Loe Pool]], formed when a shingle bar blocked the mouth of the river by rising sea levels forming a barrier beach. To the south is the [[Lizard Peninsula]], an area important for its complex geology and wildlife habitats.<ref>Jean Lawman (1994) A Natural History of the Lizard Peninsula. Pool: Institute of Cornish Studies.</ref>

===Transport===
Helston is on the [[A394 road]]. To the west, the A394 leads to Penzance; to the north-east it leads to [[Penryn, Cornwall|Penryn]] where it joins the [[A39 road|A39]], which leads south to Falmouth and north-east to [[Truro]]. The B3297 runs north from Helston to [[Redruth]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 204 ''Truro & Falmouth'' {{ISBN|978-0-319-23149-4}}</ref> The nearest railway station is [[Redruth railway station|Redruth]] on the [[Cornish Main Line|Cornish main line]], although the [[Helston Railway|Helston branch line railway]] served the town until closure in the early 1960s. The branch left the [[Great Western Railway|ex-GWR]] main line at [[Gwinear Road railway station|Gwinear Road station]] near [[Hayle]], and ran {{convert|8.5|mi|km}} south to terminate at [[Helston railway station]]. The [[Helston Railway Preservation Company]] is undertaking the restoration of part of the line. Bus services now link Helston to the rail network; [[First Kernow]] provides the (U4) bus service from Penzance station to Falmouth via Helston. The (34) bus service links Redruth station with Lizard via Helston and is operated by [[Go Cornwall Bus]]. The nearest [[airport]] is [[Newquay Cornwall Airport]] which is approximately {{convert|35|mi}} north-east of Helston. This is the main commercial airport for Cornwall with regular scheduled services to many parts of the UK.

===Climate===
Helston has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfb''), similar to the rest of the British Isles. It is one of the mildest places in the country and frosts are rarely severe. The nearest [[Met Office]] [[weather station]] is [[RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)|RNAS Culdrose]], approximately 1 mile south-east of the town centre. Temperature extremes in the area since 1980 have ranged from {{convert|-10.9|C|F}} during January 1987,<ref>{{Cite web | publisher = TuTiempo | url = http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/Culdrose/01-1987/38090.htm | title = 1987 temperature | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140606210719/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/Culdrose/01-1987/38090.htm | archive-date = 6 June 2014 }}</ref> and up to {{convert|29.6|C|F}} in August 1990.<ref>{{Cite web | publisher = TuTiempo | url = http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/Culdrose/08-1990/38090.htm | title = 1990 temperature | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140606234404/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/Culdrose/08-1990/38090.htm | archive-date = 6 June 2014 }}</ref> The coldest temperature in recent years was {{convert|-6.2|C|F}} in December 2009.<ref>{{Cite web | publisher = TuTiempo | url = http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/Culdrose/12-2009/38090.htm | title = 2009 temperature | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140606224336/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/Culdrose/12-2009/38090.htm | archive-date = 6 June 2014 }}</ref> Snow occurs in median every second year, almost in 2 – 3 days in line or one alone, most often in January or February.<ref name="Wunderground">{{cite web
 |url         = https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/EGDR/2018/1/1/MonthlyCalendar.html?req_city=Culdrose&req_state=&req_statename=United%20Kingdom&reqdb.zip=00000&reqdb.magic=32&reqdb.wmo=03809 |access-date  = 1 February 2017
 |url-status     = live |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20180505185741/https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/EGDR/2018/1/1/MonthlyCalendar.html?req_city=Culdrose&req_state=&req_statename=United%20Kingdom&reqdb.zip=00000&reqdb.magic=32&reqdb.wmo=03809 |archive-date = 5 May 2018 |title = Local Weather Forecast, News and Conditions &#124; Weather Underground}}</ref>
{{Weather box
|location = [[RNAS Culdrose]],{{efn|Weather station is located {{convert|1.0|mi|1|abbr=out}} from the Helston town centre.}} elevation: {{convert|78|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present
| collapsed    = 
| metric first = y
| single line  = y
| Jan record high C = 14.9
| Feb record high C = 15.2
| Mar record high C = 19.4
| Apr record high C = 21.9
| May record high C = 25.5
| Jun record high C = 30.6
| Jul record high C = 28.7
| Aug record high C = 29.8
| Sep record high C = 24.5
| Oct record high C = 23.2
| Nov record high C = 18.6
| Dec record high C = 15.9
| Jan high C = 9.4
| Feb high C = 9.4
| Mar high C = 10.4
| Apr high C = 12.3
| May high C = 14.8
| Jun high C = 17.3
| Jul high C = 19.0
| Aug high C = 19.1
| Sep high C = 17.6
| Oct high C = 14.7
| Nov high C = 12.0
| Dec high C = 10.2
| year high C = 13.9
| Jan mean C = 6.9
| Feb mean C = 6.7
| Mar mean C = 7.7
| Apr mean C = 9.2
| May mean C = 11.7
| Jun mean C = 14.2
| Jul mean C = 16.0
| Aug mean C = 16.2
| Sep mean C = 14.6
| Oct mean C = 12.1
| Nov mean C = 9.4
| Dec mean C = 7.7
| year mean C = 11.0
| Jan low C = 4.4
| Feb low C = 4.1
| Mar low C = 4.9
| Apr low C = 6.0
| May low C = 8.5
| Jun low C = 11.1
| Jul low C = 13.0
| Aug low C = 13.2
| Sep low C = 11.6
| Oct low C = 9.6
| Nov low C = 6.9
| Dec low C = 5.2
| year low C = 8.2
| Jan record low C = -10.9
| Feb record low C = -8.4
| Mar record low C = -6.1
| Apr record low C = -3.7
| May record low C = -1.2
| Jun record low C = 3.3
| Jul record low C = 5.3
| Aug record low C = 6.0
| Sep record low C = 2.2
| Oct record low C = -0.8
| Nov record low C = -6.7
| Dec record low C = -6.3
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 106.7
| Feb precipitation mm = 83.0
| Mar precipitation mm = 72.4
| Apr precipitation mm = 65.0
| May precipitation mm = 54.3
| Jun precipitation mm = 60.2
| Jul precipitation mm = 63.5
| Aug precipitation mm = 74.0
| Sep precipitation mm = 69.3
| Oct precipitation mm = 97.0
| Nov precipitation mm = 120.0
| Dec precipitation mm = 115.6
| year precipitation mm = 981.2
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 16.4
| Feb precipitation days = 13.3
| Mar precipitation days = 12.2
| Apr precipitation days = 11.4
| May precipitation days = 9.1
| Jun precipitation days = 9.2
| Jul precipitation days = 9.8
| Aug precipitation days = 10.9
| Sep precipitation days = 10.6
| Oct precipitation days = 14.6
| Nov precipitation days = 16.8
| Dec precipitation days = 17.0
| year precipitation days = 151.2
| Jan sun = 59.5
| Feb sun = 84.1
| Mar sun = 113.2
| Apr sun = 177.7
| May sun = 205.9
| Jun sun = 203.3
| Jul sun = 195.9
| Aug sun = 185.1
| Sep sun = 150.4
| Oct sun = 108.5
| Nov sun = 74.1
| Dec sun = 53.3
| year sun = 1610.9
| source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref>{{cite web
  | url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcrhe9cy8
  | title=Sutton Bonington 1991–2020 averages
  | work = Station, District and regional averages 1981–2010
  | publisher=Met Office
  | access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| source 2 = Starlings Roost Weather<ref>{{cite web|url=http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/ukobs/temp_month_record_tmax_map.php|title=Monthly Extreme Maximum Temperature|access-date=8 February 2023|publisher=Starlings Roost Weather|archive-date=1 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201173843/http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/ukobs/temp_month_record_tmax_map.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/ukobs/temp_month_record_tmin_map.php|title=Monthly Extreme Minimum Temperature|access-date=8 February 2023|publisher=Starlings Roost Weather|archive-date=1 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201173844/http://starlingsroost.ddns.net/weather/ukobs/temp_month_record_tmin_map.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| date     = June 2015}}

==Governance==
[[File:Helston Guildhall, Cornwall, England arp.jpg|thumb|[[Helston Guildhall]], built in 1839. It contains the council chamber, mayor's offices, and a function room, and is the starting point for the dances on Flora Day.]]
There are two tiers of local government covering Helston, at [[Parish council (England)|parish]] (town) and [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] level: Helston Town Council and [[Cornwall Council]]. The town council is based at [[Helston Guildhall]] in Market Place, which was built in 1839.<ref name=TC>{{cite web |title=Contact |url=https://www.helston-tc.gov.uk/contact/ |website=Helston Town Council |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE|desc=Guildhall|grade=II*|num=1196492}}</ref>

For national elections, Helston forms part of the [[St Ives (UK Parliament constituency)|St Ives constituency]], which covers the western part of Cornwall and the [[Isles of Scilly]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/index.html |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> The current [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] is [[Andrew George (politician)|Andrew George]], a [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]].

===Administrative history===
Helston historically formed part of the [[ancient parish]] of [[Wendron]] in the [[Kerrier Hundred]] of Cornwall.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wendron Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10203612 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> Helston was an [[ancient borough]], with its earliest surviving [[municipal charter|charter]] having been issued by [[John, King of England|King John]] in 1201.<ref name=Kelly>{{cite book |title=Kelly's Directory of Cornwall |date=1914 |page=144 |url=https://leicester.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16445coll4/id/296196/rec/1 |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=First Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the Municipal Corporations in England and Wales: Part 1 |date=1835 |page=511 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/First_Report_of_the_Commissioners_Appoin/7pNRAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA1-PA511&printsec=frontcover |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> From 1298 the town also formed the [[Helston (UK Parliament constituency)|Helston parliamentary borough]] (constituency).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Woodger |first1=L. S. |title=Helston Borough |url=https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1386-1421/constituencies/helston |website=The History of Parliament |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> Helston was reformed to become a [[municipal borough]] in 1836 under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]], which standardised how most boroughs operated across the country.<ref>{{cite book |title=Municipal Corporations Act |date=1835 |page=462 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Statutes_of_the_United_Kingdom_of_Gr/ta8uAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA462&printsec=frontcover |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref>

The borough remained part of the parish of Wendron into the 19th century. From the 17th century onwards, parishes were gradually given various civil functions under the [[poor laws]], in addition to their original ecclesiastical functions. In some cases, including Wendron, the civil functions were exercised by subdivisions of the parish rather than the parish as a whole. Poor law functions were administered separately for Helston and the rest of Wendron parish. In 1866, the legal definition of 'parish' was changed to be the areas used for administering the poor laws, and so Helston became a separate [[civil parish]] from Wendron.<ref name=Youngs>{{cite book |last1=Youngs |first1=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England: Volume I, Southern England |date=1979 |publisher=Royal Historical Society |location=London |isbn=0901050679 |pages=xvi, 61}}</ref> In ecclesiastical terms, Helston became a separate [[ecclesiastical parish]] from Wendron in 1845.<ref name=Kelly/>

The borough of Helston was significantly enlarged in 1934, taking in areas from the neighbouring parishes of [[Breage, Cornwall|Breage]], [[Sithney]] and Wendron. The village of [[Porthleven]] was absorbed into the borough of Helston as part of those changes. Prior to 1934, Porthleven had straddled the parishes of Breage and Sithney.<ref>{{cite web |title=Helston Municipal Borough |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10002140 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref>

The borough of Helston was abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], when the area became part of the [[Kerrier]] district.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|accessdate=3 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|accessdate=3 March 2023}}</ref> A [[successor parish]] called Helston was created at the same time, covering the area of the abolished borough.<ref name=successor>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Local Government (Successor Parishes) Order 1973|year=1973|number=1110|access-date=31 August 2025}}</ref> As part of the 1974 reforms, parish councils were given the right to declare their parishes to be a town, allowing them to take the title of town council and giving the title of [[Mayors in England|mayor]] to the council's chairperson.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|section=245|access-date=13 April 2024}}</ref> The new parish council for Helston exercised this right, taking the name Helston Town Council.<ref name=TC/>

In 1985, a new parish of Porthleven was created, removing it from Helston parish.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Kerrier (Parishes) Order 1985 |url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20221202003400mp_/https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lgbce/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/12326/kerrier-parishes-order-1985.pdf |website=Local Government Boundary Commission for England |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref>

Kerrier district was abolished in 2009. Cornwall County Council then took on district-level functions, making it a unitary authority, and was renamed Cornwall Council.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Cornwall (Structural Change) Order 2008|year=2008|number=491|access-date=19 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Local Government (Structural Changes) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Other Provision) Order 2009|year=2009|number=837|article=3}}</ref>

==Culture and community==

===Flora Day: the Furry Dance and Hal-an-Tow ceremonies===

Flora Day occurs annually, on 8 May (except when the date falls on a Sunday or Monday&nbsp;— Monday being Market Day&nbsp;— when it is the preceding Saturday) Helston hosts the [[Furry Dance]].

[[File:Coinagehall Street Helston - geograph.org.uk - 1300488.jpg|thumb|The Hal an Tow celebration]]

There are four dances throughout the day, the first starting at 7 a.m. (historically for domestic servants), the ladies in summer frocks and the gentlemen in white shirts and dark grey trousers with neckties bearing the town crest, loaned for the day. The second dance at 9.50 is when children from the town's schools dance dressed all in white, the individual schools denoted by the head dresses that the girls wear. The premier dance follows at Midday when the "gentry of the County" dance, the ladies in long ballgowns topped off with picture hats and the gentlemen wearing full [[morning dress]]. The final dance of the day begins at 5 p.m., a dance historically for the tradespeople of the town.  Participants in this dance are the only dancers to dance around the town twice, having already danced in the 7 a.m. dance.

Only Helston-born people can dance in the lead set in each dance and the first male and female will only lead that dance once in their lifetime. Flora Day is administered by Stewards who elect stewards therefore continuing this wonderful occasion without outside interference. [[Helston Town Band]] play the famous tune and accompany all four dances on a long route around the town. The dwellings and shops of the town are festooned with [[Common Bluebell|bluebells]], [[Silene dioica|campions]] and whatever green foliage is available. Specific dances (not including the children's dance) go into and out of various private buildings, shops and grounds. The origins of the dance are not known but appear to represent a pre-Christian celebration of the passing of winter.

On the same day the "[[Hal an Tow]]", another celebration of the coming of spring, is performed upon the streets of the town.<ref>Green, Marian (1980) ''A Harvest of Festivals''. Ch. 2: St Michael and a dancing serpent. London: Longman; pp. 14-30</ref> This is a morning ritual that is traditionally more boisterous than the dance. It is a moving street theatre that appears to have its origins in the Middle Ages, and the themes tend to be more English than uniquely Cornish. The theatre consists of the Hal-an-tow song accompanied by dancing and acting out the content of the verses. The costumes and the song itself represent many different historical and mythical themes. It has evolved over time, the most recent verse (about [[St Piran]]) only appeared within the 21st century.{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}

===Hellys International Guitar Festival===
In 2017, a new festival was established by the lutenist [[Ben Salfield]] and his promoters, Kernow Concerts,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hellysfestival.co.uk|title=Hellys International Guitar Festival 2018 – Helston, Cornwall.|website=Hellys International Guitar Festival 2018 – Helston, Cornwall.|access-date=5 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231541/https://www.hellysfestival.co.uk/|archive-date=8 March 2018}}</ref> bringing international concert artists from the world of guitar music from as far away as [[Los Angeles]]<ref>BMG Magazine, Summer 2017</ref> to perform concerts and give free lessons in Helston each August. The festival is initially based in The Old Cattle Market, next to Coronation Park and Boating Lake, and features some of the best artists in their field.<ref>Packet Newspaper, 22 March 2017</ref>

===Helston Town Band===
{{Main|Helston Town Band}}
Helston Town Band has a rich history, which can be traced back to the turn of the 20th century. Indeed, there are members of the current band whose family connections extend back four generations. Inevitably, during the War the band reformed with new members and in 1946 numbers were consolidated when most of its pre-war members returned from active service. The band enjoyed steady progress at this time, which culminated in 1951 when it reached the National Third Section Finals at Belle Vue, Manchester.

In 1967, the band came under the direction of Edward Ashton, with whom the band gained much success and a reputation for consistently playing music to a high standard. Edward led the band to numerous successes in both local and regional contests, until his retirement in November 2002 after an incredible 35 years.

Following his retirement, the band appointed John Hitchens as their new Musical Director . The band has continued to flourish under John's direction: in 2003, they were crowned Cornish First Section Champions, and in 2004 they gained promotion to the National First Section.

In 2006, the band were crowned West of England First Section Champions, and received an invitation to compete in the National First Section Finals in Harrogate, where they achieved a commendable seventh place. The band went on to achieve third place at the West of England First Section Championships in 2007, and were delighted to become West of England First Section Champions once again in 2008.

These excellent results meant that Helston Town Band earned promotion and competed in the [[Brass Band Sections in Britain#Championship section|Championship Section]] in 2009 for the first time in its history.

==Churches and places of interest==
[[File:Graveyard, St. Michaels Church, Helston.jpg|thumb|St Michael's churchyard]]
[[File:Fitzsimons helston.jpg|thumb|The birthplace of [[Bob Fitzsimmons]]]]
There are several churches including St Michael's Church, a humble church with stained-glass windows and a tall bell tower which can be heard throughout the town. In the surrounding graveyard there is a monument to [[Henry Trengrouse]], the inventor of the rocket fired safety line&nbsp;— a device for aiding in the saving of lives in a shipwreck.

Helston is also the birthplace of [[Bob Fitzsimmons|Bob "Ruby Robert" Fitzsimmons]], the first triple world [[boxing]] champion. The house where he was born and lived in Helston is still standing and is indicated by a plaque above the door.

The [[Helston Museum]], founded in 1949, occupies the building originally designed as the town's Market House in 1837, with two separate buildings—one for butter and eggs, the other the meat market. The exhibits are mostly concerned with Helston's agricultural and market town history. The museum also hosts art exhibitions and has a shop selling all things Cornish.

There are three Cornish crosses in Helston: one in Cross Street and two in Mr. Baddeley's garden (Cross Street). One of the latter crosses was removed from Tresprison, Wendron, and other from near Trelill Holy Well, Wendron. The cross from Trelill has ornament on the front and back of the shaft.<ref>Langdon, A. G. (1896) ''Old Cornish Crosses''. Truro: Joseph Pollard; pp. 261, 104 & 331-32</ref>

The [[Grylls Monument]], at the end of [[Helston coinage hall|Coinagehall Street]] was built by public subscription in 1834 to thank Humphry Millet Grylls, a local banker, who stopped the closure of [[Wheal Vor]], a local mine that at the time employed over a thousand people.

Helston also hosted [[The Flambards Experience]], formerly the Helston Aero Park, which was a theme park with a selection of rides together with a few remaining aviation exhibits. It closed down in 2024 after visitor numbers dwindled after COVID along with rising costs. Nearby Wendron is home to the [[Poldark Mine]] theme park, where visitors can go underground into the old workings. The [[Helston Railway]], which aims to restore the Helston Branch, is also nearby.

==Schools==
[[Helston Community College]] has the most pupils in Cornwall. Its South Site building was formerly (1939–1972) Helston Grammar School. Formerly located at Penrose Road (which became the secondary modern school), the grammar school had a long history dating back to the 16th century. [[Derwent Coleridge]] was a headmaster there, and his pupils included [[Charles Kingsley]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.bc.edu/~rappleb/kingsley/Kingsleylife.html|title=Brief Biography of Charles Kingsley, 1819-1875|last=Rapple|first=Brendan A.|publisher=Boston College Libraries|access-date=2008-04-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323035212/http://www2.bc.edu/~rappleb/kingsley/Kingsleylife.html|archive-date=23 March 2008}}</ref> [[John Coleridge, 1st Baron Coleridge|John Duke Coleridge]], [[Richard Edmonds (scientist)|Richard Edmonds]], [[Thomas Rowe Edmonds]], [[John Rogers (divine)|John Rogers]], [[Henry Trengrouse]] and [[James Trevenen]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Rowse|first=A. L.|author-link=A. L. Rowse|title=Matthew Arnold: Poet and Prophet|url=https://archive.org/details/matthewarnoldpoe0000rows|url-access=registration|publisher=Thames and Hudson|location=London|year=1976|pages=[https://archive.org/details/matthewarnoldpoe0000rows/page/25 25]|chapter=Chapter 2 "Oxford"|isbn=0-500-01163-X}}</ref><ref>The further alumni are cited as Helston students in [[ODNB]] articles on them.</ref> Another former headmaster was the botanist and author [[Charles Alexander Johns]] (1843–47), who was also a former pupil.<ref>Dare, Deirdre, and Melissa Hardie. ''A Passion for Nature: 19th-Century Naturalism in the Circle of Charles Alexander Johns''. Penzance, Cornwall: Patten Press & Jamieson Library, 2008.</ref>

The School Houses in grammar school days were Coleridge, Kingsley and Tennyson. [[Alfred Tennyson]]'s local connection was through his writing.

Helston has three primary schools. These are Parc Eglos, St. Michael's and Nansloe. The catchment area of Helston Community College includes these and many other schools from the surrounding villages. There is also a primary school at [[Trannack]]. All three primary schools dance on Flora Day, as does Helston Community College.

==Media==
Local TV coverage is provided by [[BBC South West]] and [[ITV West Country]]. Television signals are received from the [[Redruth transmitting station|Redruth]] and local relay transmitters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Redruth|title=Full Freeview on the Redruth (Cornwall, England) transmitter
|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Helston|title=Freeview Light on the Helston (Cornwall, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref>

Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Cornwall]], [[Heart West]], [[Greatest Hits Radio South West]], [[Pirate FM]] and [[Coast FM (West Cornwall)|Coast FM]], a community based station.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.coastfm.co.uk/ |title=Coast FM|access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref>

The town is served by the local newspapers, [[The West Briton]] and [[Packet Newspapers|Falmouth Packet]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-sw/west-briton/|title=West Briton|date=7 December 2013|website=British Papers|access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref>

Helston featured as the location for the 1996 [[Gremlin Interactive]] Windows PC title [[Realms of the Haunting]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/60127/Realms-of-the-Haunting/|title=Centre for Computing History|website=Centre for Computing History|access-date=30 September 2025}}</ref>

==Sport and recreation==
[[File:Bowlingclub helston.jpg|thumb|Bowling club and the Grylls Monument]]
In 1885 the annual custom of the beating the Helston Borough Bounds was undertaken, followed by a scrimmage for 15 dozen buns and the throwing of the [[Cornish hurling|hurling ball]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Helston borough bounds |work=The Cornishman |issue=357 |date=21 May 1885 |page=7}}</ref> In the same year Helston Cycling Club had their headquarters at the Globe Hotel and had a weekly evening cycle to places such as Redruth and the Lizard.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cycling Club Fixtures |work=The Cornishman |issue=357 |date=21 May 1885 |page=4}}</ref>

The town has an active sporting scene, with [[Helston RFC]], [[Helston Athletic F.C.|Helston Athletic FC]] and Helston Cricket Club all having prominent roles within the community. The current rugby club was formed in 1965 but rugby was played on Helston Downs as early as 1883 when Helston beat Lanner by 6 tries and 3 touch-downs in self-defence to nil.<ref>{{cite news |title=Football |work=The Cornishman |issue=241 |date=22 February 1883 |page=5}}</ref> The Swallows [[Gymnastics]] Club is also extremely popular within the area. Helston holds an annual road race An Resek Helys (The Race for Helston)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cornwallroadrunning.co.uk/|title=Cornwall Road Running|access-date=29 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327142054/http://www.cornwallroadrunning.co.uk/|archive-date=27 March 2016}}</ref> and an annual triathlon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/helstonandporthleven/8978052.Entry_open_to_Helston_Triathlon/|title=Helston Triathlon|date=17 April 2011 |access-date=29 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411231629/http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/helstonandporthleven/8978052.Entry_open_to_Helston_Triathlon/|archive-date=11 April 2016}}</ref>

The town has a [[King George's Fields|King George V Playing Field]], the home ground for the rugby club and finish line of An Resek Helys. Below the town is Coronation Park which has a man-made lake as its centrepiece where rowing boats can be hired in summer. A skate park is nearby in the same complex. The [[Penrose, Cornwall|Penrose Amenity Area]] lies across the road from Coronation Park. [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]]-owned, this area, once part of the Penrose Estate, offers walks alongside the River Cober which leads down to Loe Pool and the sea beyond Loe Bar. Just off the main path is a bird-watching hide offering views over Loe Pool.

=== Cornish wrestling ===
Helston has been a centre for [[Cornish wrestling]] for centuries.<ref name="RCG28081802">Royal Cornwall Gazette, 28 August 1802.</ref><ref name="C02051889">The Cornishman, 2 May 1889, p5.</ref><ref name="WBCA16092015">West Briton, 16 September 2015.</ref> Over this time there were a large number of sites where tournaments were held. These include:
the Helston Downs,<ref name="RCG05071806">Royal Cornwall Gazette, 5 July 1806.</ref> 
Gweal Folds farm,<ref name="RCG14071810">Royal Cornwall Gazette, 14 July 1810.</ref> 
the Lower Green<ref name="Barton">Barton RM, ''Life in Cornwall in the mid 19th Century'', D Bradford Barton Ltd (Truro) 1971, p200.</ref> which became Coronation Park<ref name="WBCA16091926">West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 16 September 1926.</ref> where tournaments continued to be held,
Field near While Hill, Meneage Street,<ref name="C10071884">Cornishman, 10 July 1884.</ref> 
Bullock Lane,<ref name="C02051889"/>
Coronation Park,<ref name="WBCA16091926"/>
Monument Road,<ref name="CG15091949">Cornish Guardian, 15 September 1949.</ref> 
Field at the rear of the Angel Hotel<ref name="CG02091954">Cornish Guardian, 2 September 1954.</ref> which became the Sunken Gardens<ref name="WBCA090982010">The West Briton, 9 September 2010.</ref><ref name="WBCA15091996">West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 12 September 1996.</ref> where tournaments continued to be held,
Grange Road<ref name="WBCA15091960">West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 15 September 1960.</ref> and 
Penrose Amenity Area.<ref name="WBCA08092011">The West Briton, 8 Sep 2011.</ref>

==Twinning==
Helston is [[Town twinning|twinned]] with the following towns:<ref>Information supplied by Helston Twinning Association</ref>
* [[Sasso Marconi]], [[Bologna]], Italy
* [[Plougasnou]], [[Brittany]], France

==Local newspapers==
Helston is served by two local paid-for newspapers, ''[[The West Briton]]'' and [[Packet Newspapers|''The Packet]]: both offer a selection of news and local pictures. The area is also covered by a free delivered newspaper, the ''Helston Advertiser'' established in April 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.helstonadvertiser.co.uk|title=Helston Advertiser|access-date=29 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305045354/http://www.helstonadvertiser.co.uk/|archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist|30em}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last1=Henderson|first1= Charles G.|year=1935|chapter= Helston [and] The rules of a cobblers' guild at Helston in 1517|title=Essays in Cornish History|publisher=Oxford University Press|pages=67–79}}
* {{cite book|last1=Jenkin|first1=Reg|last2=Carter|first2=Derek|year=2012|title=The Book of Helston: ancient borough and market town'|place=Wellington|publisher=Halsgrove}}
* Toy, Spencer (1936). The ''History of Helston''. London: Oxford University Press

==External links==
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{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061028143057/http://www.helstontc.com/ Helston Town Council]
* [http://www.helstonmuseum.co.uk/ Helston Museum]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070930034649/http://crocat.cornwall.gov.uk/dserve/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=Overview.tcl&dsqSearch=%28%28text%29%3D%27helston%27%29 Cornwall Record Office Online Catalogue for Helston]

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[[Category:Helston| ]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Cornwall]]
[[Category:Cornish Killas]]
[[Category:Manors in Cornwall]]
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