The four dancers who will officially start the celebrations this Flora Day have spoken of their delight after being revealed yesterday.

First out the doors of the Guildhall, for the first dance of the day, will be lead couple Scott Parker and Sharon Ashton.

Sharon, who lives in Helston with her husband John and works in the accountancy department at County Hall, described the invitation as “a bit of a surprise, but a good one.”

She said: “I was absolutely amazed and really pleased. I just didn’t expect it.”

Four years ago Sharon was second lead in the morning and evening dances, with her brother David Williams. She said her promotion to first lead was “amazing”.

Sharon, who has been involved in the early morning and evening dance since her 20s, described the first dance of the day as her favourite.

“To lead it is just such an honour, I just can’t believe it. I just absolutely love the morning dance, and the evening. I just feel such a sentiment for it.”

The 41-year-old started dancing the Flora at primary school, first at St Michael’s and later at Nansloe.

Coincidentally, it was at Nansloe that she met Scott, who she will be sharing the honour of leading with.

Scott, who was born and raised in Helston, now lives in Porthleven with his wife Emma and they have three children, Lewis, Freya and five-year-old Evie-Mae.

This is the first year Freya will be dancing in the children’s dance, with Helston Community College, making Flora Day 2015 all the more special for the family.

Scott, who started dancing at Nansloe School and continued through Helston Community College before joining the morning and evening dance, said he was “shocked” at the invitation to lead.

Around four or five years ago he was second lead gentleman and has now been promotion to first gent.

He said: “To lead this historical event is an absolute honour. I think it is just the atmosphere – everybody is in good spirits.”

And he added of the morning and evening dance: “It’s such a lovely dance to participate in because you get to dance it twice. At the 7 o’clock it’s so fresh and everybody is excited to see what other people look like.”

He has only missed two years of this dance, when his youngest daughter Evie-Mae was receiving treatment for a brain tumour. Although she still has epilepsy and right-sided weakness, she attends mainstream school and is looking forward to Flora Day.

A particular fan of the band, Evie-Mae loves nothing more than to listen to the dance tune on her iPad, with Scott saying: “Quite often we’ll have Flora Day on at any time of the year!”

Scott works as a staff nurse at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske in the medical admissions unit.

In what is a big year for his family, he will mark his 40th birthday in June, while his mother Kathy Pascoe turns 60 the day before Flora Day, on May 7. 

Completing the lead set are Shaun Howells and Lisa Robson, who both live in Helston.

Shaun is a leading airman aircraft handler at RNAS Culdrose, who received a long service and good conduct medal at last year’s Cornwall Armed Forces Day. He also works part time for Kernow Cabs.

Although this is the first time he will be heading up the morning and evening dances, Shaun is no stranger to leading.

He led St Michael’s Primary School when in year six and later the whole children’s dance, while at Helston Community College.

His mum Lorna Howells has also led the morning and evening dance in the past.

Shaun said: “I was really chuffed when I got the letter through. I’ve always been brought up with it and just love it. It’s a good atmosphere.”

He admits, however, that his colleagues at Culdrose do not quite understand his excitement.

This year is particularly special as it will be his daughter Imogen’s first time dancing in the children’s dance.

Shaun lives in Helston with his partner Danielle Fletcher and their three-year-old son Ollie.

The 35-year-old has only ever missed two years dancing, when he was away serving in the Gulf with the navy – and then he got his mum to phone him as the band went past.

Shaun is also pleased that he will be dancing with his usual Flora Day partner, Lisa Robson.

She has also danced all through primary, with St Michael’s, and secondary school and joined the morning and evening dance straight afterwards.

Lisa has only missed one year of dancing, when pregnant with her four-year-old son Harrison – and was careful to work around Flora Day when having 12-month-old daughter Georgina, to ensure she did not miss it again!

She told the Packet: “I’m just really excited and happy. I just love the tradition. It makes you proud to live in Helston and I think it’s nice the old traditions are still going.

“The seven o’clock dance, when you hear the drum for the first time, is just amazing.”

Lisa, 32, is married to Mike and works part time in Camborne as a child protection social worker.