The owner of one of Cornwall’s most historic homes has admitted he refused to sell his £2million property to anyone who isn’t local.

Michael Jay says that he has received many offers and interest in Lismore House since its initial listing on May 19, 2019.

The nine-bedroom country pilce is located in Helston in Cornwall and hosts the Flora Day dance.

The centuries-old tradition of bringing hundreds of people to the property every year for a series dance is part of a long-standing annual spring tradition. It is believed to have originated in the Medieval period.

Jay claims that Jay turned down potential buyers because the house plays a central role in the annual festivities.

Michael Jay, says he received tons of interest and offers for Lismore House (pictured) since it first went on the market in May 2019

Michael Jay claims that he has received tons and offers for Lismore House since it went on the marketplace in May 2019.

The nine-bedroom country pile (pictured) is located in the quaint Cornish town of Helston and plays host to the town's Flora Day dance, a centuries-old annual spring tradition believed to originate from the Medieval period

The nine-bedroom country house (pictured) can be found in Helston, Cornish. It is home to the Flora Day dance. This annual spring tradition dates back centuries and is believed to have originated in Medieval times.

But none of the offers were good enough for Mr Jay, as many of the potential buyers revealed they were wanting to buy in the town without even knowing what Flora Day was

Mr Jay was not satisfied with any of the offers, as many potential buyers stated they wanted to purchase in the town but didn’t know Flora Day.

Mr Jay (pictured), 77, who is moving to South East Asia on completion of the sale next month, says he is delighted that property is now going to local couple

Mr Jay (pictured), 77-year-old, is moving to South East Asia after the sale closes next month. He says he is thrilled that the property is now going to a local couple

Adam (pictured) and Sarah Corbridge have bought the property for an undisclosed fee

Mr and Mrs Corbridge (pictured) own Wearnes Jewellers in Helston and Falmouth

Adam (left), and Sarah (right), Wearnes Jewellers, in Helston, and Falmouth respectively, have purchased the property for an undisclosed price

You would need some local knowledge to buy Lismore house. What is Helston’s Flora Day, you ask?

Believed to originate from as far back as the Medieval Period, the Flora Dance, also known as as Furry Day, is an annual event held in Helston

The Flora Dance, also known by Furry Day, is an annual event that is believed to have originated in Helston.

The Flora Dance, also known by Furry Day, is an annual event that is believed to have originated in Helston.   

This event is considered one of the oldest British traditions still being practiced today. It sees locals come together every year on May 8 for a day full of dance to celebrate both the passing of winter, and the coming of spring. 

Helston’s symbol flower, The Lily of the Valley, is often worn by dancers. Gentlemen wear the flower on their left and ladies wear it upside-down on the right.

The event features a series dances that take place throughout the day. The first starts at 7am, and the last at 5pm.

Lismore is an important part the Flora Day celebrations, with all four dances entering on the grounds during the annual big day in Mai. 

The 77-year old is moving to South East Asia after the sale is completed next month. He says he is happy that the property is now going back to Adam and Sarah Corbridge, who also own Wearnes jewellers in Helston, Falmouth, and Falmouth.

But he claims he could sell the property much sooner. He had rejected offers for more time than two years to sell the property so it could be in the hands of someone who knew the importance of Flora Day connections.  

Lismore is an important part the Flora Day celebrations, with all four dances entering on the grounds during the annual big day in Mai. 

Jay, who has made Lismore House his home over the past 27-years, said that he was interested that Helston residents and possibly even Helstonites would purchase the property.

‘It’s quite famous. It’s a historic home that is connected to Helston Flora Days. This is because Lismore was purchased by a local family.

When asked about other cases where homes were purchased and altered or worse, he replied: “Not this one.” It would not be allowed to go to people from the outside.

He claimed he had many offers and interest but turned them down.

He said, “There were several parties that were very interested but they were from up-the-country and didn’t have any knowledge about Helston Flora Day. So I wasn’t very interested. I wasn’t in any hurry to sell my house.

“It has taken two-years, but that is my fault. He explained that he wanted to make sure the person who bought it was local.

The Grade II Lismore is synonymous to Flora Day celebrations in the town. It arrived on the market just hours after the 2019 event, which was the last Flora Day due to the pandemic.

The grand residence is located in beautiful gardens and grounds measuring approximately 2.6 acres. Lismore’s picturesque, 2.6-acre grounds are the backdrop to traditional dances, which attract large crowds each year.

The property was on the market with an £2 million asking price with Christophers estate agents and was most recently listed for £1.5 million and was sold for an undisclosed sum.

Agents Alan Christophers stated that at the time of the listing, they felt privileged to be invited by Helston Estate Agency to market Lismore. This is a property that has been so important to generations of Helstonians because of its integral role in Flora Day celebrations. 

Lismore plays an important part of the Flora Day celebrations with all four dances entering the grounds throughout the annual big day in May

Lismore plays a significant part in the Flora Day celebrations. All four dances enter the grounds throughout the annual big May Day.

The grand residence (pictured: One of the living room areas) stands in enviable gardens and grounds of some 2.6 acres. Ordinarily, each year, Lismore's picturesque ponds provide the backdrop to traditional dances as crowds gather to watch

The grand residence is located in beautiful gardens on 2.6 acres. Each year, Lismore’s picturesque lakes provide the backdrop for traditional dances, as crowds gather to witness them.

The property (pictured: A dining room area of the property) was on the market with an £2 million asking price with Christophers estate agents and was most recently listed for £1.5 million and was sold for an undisclosed sum

The property (pictured: A dining room area of the property) was on the market with an £2 million asking price with Christophers estate agents and was most recently listed for £1.5 million and was sold for an undisclosed sum

Agents Alan Christophers said at the time the listing went up: 'As a Helston estate agency we feel extremely privileged to be invited to market Lismore (pictured: One of the living room areas), which has meant so much to generations of Helstonians through the integral part it plays in the Flora Day celebrations

Agents Alan Christophers stated that at the time of listing, they felt privileged to be invited by Helston Estate Agency to market Lismore. (pictured: One living room area). This living room has been so important to generations of Helstonians because of its integral role in Flora Day celebrations.

“It’s a wonderful home with beautiful gardens. We, along Mr Michael Jay, hope that future buyers will wish to continue the association this magnificent residence has had for the town’s most significant day.

Jay stated that he hoped that the property’s iconic status would be preserved by the new owners.

The estate agency added that Lismore is an important part in the Flora Day celebrations, with all four dances entering on the grounds.

‘The midday or evening dances revolve around the gardens before stopping for a rest on lawns before they exit the house. 

‘It is custom for the owner Lismore to walk at the front of the procession through the gardens.

“Previous owners have loved the relationship the property has had with Flora Day, and it is the heartfelt wish of Mr Jay that the new owners will enjoy the opportunity to continue this tradition.”   

Mr Jay made it very clear that he had hoped that the future owners would maintain the property's iconic role. Pictured: One of the living room areas of the property

Jay made it clear that he hoped the property’s iconic position would be maintained by the future owners. Pictured: One living room area of the property

Mr Jay, who has called Lismore House (pictured: The kitchen of the property) his home for the past 27 years, said: 'I was interested that local people, and hopefully people actually from Helston, would buy the property

Mr Jay, who has made Lismore House (pictured : The kitchen of this property) his home for 27 years, stated: “I was interested in local people, and hopefully people from Helston would buy the property.”

The Grade II Lismore (pictured) is synonymous with the town's Flora Day celebrations, and arrived on the market hours after the 2019 event, the last Flora Day that occurred due to the pandemic

The Grade II Lismore (pictured below) is synonymous to Flora Day celebrations in the Town. It arrived at the market hours after the 2019 event. This was the last Flora Day that occurred because of the pandemic.

This revelation by Jay comes after earlier this year’s statistics showed that Cornwall has just 1% of England’s population, but it has 17% of the country’s second homes.

Locals have been asking about affordability in recent times. Locals are angry that house prices in Cornwall are so high, they say they can’t afford to live there. 

The resort of Megavissey boasts typical property prices of £300,000 – 20 times the average local salary.

Many famous faces are also homeowners in the County – although it is not believed that they rent out their properties.

Dame Judi Dench owns a house near St Ives, while celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay owns three properties – including a £6million mansion in the fishing village of Rock.

Data from Cornwall Council shows where the county's 13,500 second homes were distributed in 2018

Cornwall Council data shows where the county’s 13500 second homes were distributed in 2018.

Since 1998, TV hosts Richard Madeley & Judy Finnegan own Steward House at Talland Bay near Polperro.

Rebecca Hemingway, from Fowey Folk Museum, said: ‘There’s nobody with a view of the sea that’s local — maybe one.

‘It’s too late to do anything about the second homes situation now — it would be nice for the community if there were more affordable homes. There’s a handful at the top, but not enough.’

Escape to the country: House prices of £2million properties in rural areas rise by the fastest rate in a decade

House prices of £2million properties in rural areas have risen by the fastest rate in a decade as wealthy people in cities hunt for countryside retreats across the UK.

Homes in the southwest, Scotland, and Cotswolds were the most desirable, as well as luxury properties, in Devon, Cornwall Dorset, Norfolk, and Dorset. 

While countryside homes like these have increased in value by an average of £111,000 (5.5 per cent), a similarly priced flat or house in central London went down in value by an average of £8,000 (0.4 per cent) last year.

Researchers at Savills believe that the sudden rise in house prices was due to the coronavirus lockdown, which meant that people sought a lifestyle shift and recognized the relative value of each offer.

These price shifts are documented in the Savills prime home price index, which showed the highest growth since 2010.

In the rest of the prime London market (defined as the top five per cent of the market), where £2million would typically secure an additional 1,000 square feet of accommodation and more garden space, gains averaged £36,000.

Lucian Cook, Savills head for residential research, stated at the time that “The unique circumstances of 2020” have resulted in a surge of activity at the top of the housing market.

“This has supported prices and provided some unexpected gains but it hasn’t resulted from runaway price growth.”

 

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