This film is part of Free
On with the Furry Dance
Lively revelry in an ancient tradition from Helston, Cornwall
Overview
Eccentric local customs were manna to the newsreels. The Cornish town of Helston's Furry Dance (aka Flora Day), held annually in May, was one of countless such events that peppered the newsreel year, especially in summer - a 'slow news time' then just as it is today. The film is a fascinating record of one of England's more ancient folk customs - not that its history much concerned Topical Budget, which was happy to celebrate another example of Great British eccentricity, a "weird in and out the houses 'hop'".
Usually held on 8 May, the day-long festivities begin with a band marching through the town, accompanied by children dancing in the streets. The Furry Dance itself involves the band striking up a horn-pipe tune and leading the dancers, in couples, through a succession of houses. The event mark the passing of Winter and the beginning of Summer - "For Summer is a come O, and the Winter is a gone O", as the ballad Hal-an-Tow, a later addition to the ceremonies, has it. It's thought to be one of Britain's oldest surviving folk traditions, dating back to pre-Christian times.
Related
A Day in the Life of the Brewers of Helston A Day in the Life of the Brewers of Helston
Documentary 1982 26 mins Location: Helston
The artisanal craft of beer-making reaches its climax inside one of Britain's most famous Brewpubs.
Helston Cricket Club Helston Cricket Club
Sport 1976 0 mins Silent Location: Helston
Helston Cricket Club play a match in the Cornish League
Helston Furry Day Helston Furry Day
Non-Fiction 1953 5 mins Silent Location: Helston
The Floral Dance at Helston Furry Day
This England - Cornwall: Helston Furry Dance and Villages This England - Cornwall: Helston Furry Dance and Villages
Amateur film 1934 6 mins Silent Location: Helston
The town of Helston comes out dancing in this charming amateur film of a unique springtime custom.
Gender equality at RNAS Culdrose Gender equality at RNAS Culdrose
News 1977 5 mins Location: Helston
Yes we can! Equal Opportunities for Women in the Navy
market town of Helston, Cornwall market town of Helston, Cornwall
News 1976 2 mins Silent Location: Helston
Heading to Helston? A look at the market town
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.