2020 EVENTS PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS - Mayflower 400 will be a programme of events Steering our future, on a transformational scale; a platform for an international commemoration of the inspired by the past. remarkable relationship between our nations linking our people and communities through shared heritage, culture, arts, sports education, science, business, law, politics and international relations and the shared defence of our values. NOVEMBER 2019 Illuminate The international Mayflower 400 opening event – a series of cultural events commemorating the first Thanksgiving that took place between the Mayflower Pilgrims and the native American people in 1621. Mayflower destinations across the UK, Netherlands and the USA will participate in Illuminate. ‘Just as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many.’ Governor William Bradford, ‘Of Plimoth Plantation’. Mayflower400UK.org MAYFLOWER 400 UK | 2020 EVENTS PROGRAMME – HIGHLIGHTS NOVEMBER 2019 FEBRUARY 2020 Launch of the Theatre Royal’s Mayflower Production Rotherhithe Plymouth Plymouths Theatre Royal will launch a dedicated Mayflower production, telling the story of the Pilgrims Rotherhithe Talks Mayflower Anthology and the Wampanoag. Launch of the year long programme of Mayflower Launch of the Mayflower Anthology education themed talks in Rotherhithe, London. project. Creative writing and literature celebrated OSTAR through a range of art forms with Mayflower themes. 24 – 25 April Touring Exhibition & Education Project The Original Single-Handed Transatlantic Race will Launch of the Rotherhithe Mayflower touring celebrate its 60 birthday in 2020, with competitors exhibition and education project. Gainsborough sailing solo from Plymouth to the US. ‘Charting the Mayflower’ Artwork unveiling ‘Charting the Mayflower’ by London Bubble Theatre A new piece of public art reflecting Gainsborough’s Rotherhithe Company. Exploring the ship and crew, culminating connections to the Mayflower story will be unveiled in in a public performance involving staking out and the town; where the Separatists worshipped in secret. Mayflower Touring Exhibition packing the ship, performing the shanties and The London Mayflower touring exhibition continues. occupying the ship with passengers, plants, seeds and animals. Harwich Rotherhithe Walks Explore Rotherhithe in the London Borough of Mayflower Seminar Southwark on foot. Dartmouth Hear from leading academics about the role Harwich played in the Mayflower story. Mayflower Opening Event Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire A spectacular light festival with a special peal of bells ringing at St. Saviour’s Church. Worcester Roots Lecture Series A series of lectures focused on the Pilgrim Roots Living History Weekend region will take place from April to November. Worcester A multi-period living history weekend at the Commandery, Tudor House and Greyfriars in Thanksgiving at The Commandery Worcester. One great show, three great historic Doncaster 23 – 24 Nov venues. Bringing 2000 years of history to life with Follow in the footsteps of future US Presidents over 200 re-enactors. Heritage Festival Thomas Jefferson and John Adams to “the ground A programme of events, talks and workshops across where Liberty was fought for” and celebrate the the metropolitan borough of Doncaster celebrating city’s significant American connection and history of the regions rich heritage. Thanksgiving in Worcester’s Commandery; a beautiful MARCH 2020 building with an 800-year history. Plymouth Lincoln Worcester Victorian Christmas Fair 28 Nov – 1 Dec Mayflower Anthology Mayflower Conference Hundreds of stalls fill the atmospheric streets The three-month long Anthology project continues. The University of Lincoln will host the Mayflower of Worcester’s historic heart with the colours, Conference. (tbc) sounds and smells of a traditional Victorian British Science Week Christmas. Schools across Plymouth will be engaging in STEM activity with a Mayflower theme. Worcester Mayflower 400 Pilgrim Conference DECEMBER 2019 Rotherhithe 24 – 25 April Hear the fascinating story of Pilgrim Father Edward Rotherhithe Mayflower Touring Exhibition Winslow and his connection to Worcester Cathedral. The London Mayflower touring exhibition The two day conference held at the Cathedral will Rotherhithe Scandi Market continues. explore life and religion in the early 17th century both Scandinavian Christmas Market taking place on in England and in the New World. Albion Street in Rotherhithe between the Finnish and Norwegian Churches. Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire Christian Heritage Conference MAY 2020 Dartmouth Acclaimed speakers and professionals will present at the annual Bassetlaw Christian Heritage Conference Plymouth Mayflower Exhibition in Retford, Nottinghamshire. The Mayflower exhibition will open in the Dartmouth Mayflower History Festival museum; showcasing Dartmouth’s role in the Religious Tolerance Forum A city wide programme of activity, including talks, Mayflower story. Mayflower themed religious tolerance event in Retford, tours, reenactments and exhibitions run by local Nottinghamshire. Run by Bassetlaw Christian Heritage. people and organisations. This will incorporate Mayflower related activities, and celebrate Plymouth’s Harwich wider history. Lincolnshire; Gainsborough, Harwich Commemoration Pirate Weekend The ship’s Captain Christopher Jones was twice wed and Boston Plymouth’s award winning pirate weekend, including a in Harwich, Essex. A commemoration of his first full sized pirate ship and loads of family activities. Discover Lincolnshire Weekend wedding will take place… Mayflower sites and other historic attractions open Mayflower Cup their doors for free to visitors during the Discover Leander Swimming Club’s national elite swimming event, Lincolnshire weekend. Including Gainsborough Old hosted at Plymouth Life Centre. Over 900 competitors JANUARY 2020 Hall, Boston Guildhall and Immingham Museum. from around 80 swimming clubs are expected. Rotherhithe, London Mayflower Youth Festival A dedicated festival for young people, by young New Years Day Parade, London APRIL 2020 people. Incorporating music, dance and a range The annual new year’s day parade in London; passing of other activities, organised in conjunction with through the Borough of Southwark. Plymouth partners from across the city. Mayflower Touring Exhibition Opening of the Box The opening of Plymouth’s brand new £38m+ The London Mayflower touring exhibition launches. Dartmouth cultural and history space, the Box. This will include a permanent Mayflower exhibition, and a further series Dart Music Festival of work exploring the relationship between the US 8 – 10 May and UK. Over 100 performances spanning almost every musical genre are performed in venues across the town. Southampton Rotherhithe Walks Rotherhithe Explore Rotherhithe in the London Borough of Mayflower Festival Southwark on foot. Mayflower Touring Exhibition The London Mayflower touring exhibition Rotherhithe Bermondsey Carnival continues. Family friendly Carnival with a Mayflower theme Mayflower Touring Exhibition brought to you by Southwark Council in partnership Rotherhithe Walks with Bermondsey Beat. The London Mayflower touring exhibition continues. Explore Rotherhithe in the London Borough of Southwark on foot. Rotherhithe Festival Rotherhithe Walks Community based festival run by a committee of Explore Rotherhithe in the London Borough of Southwark Splash! local volunteers. Southwark on foot. Join over 500 Southwark children for Splash 2020 This is a specially-commissioned piece from Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire composers Ross Power and Laura Howe. Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire Embroidery Project Pilgrim Roots Festival Taking place across Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire A Mayflower themed embroidery project with the the Pilgrim Roots region, including North East North Nottinghamshire Embroidery Guild. Lincolnshire (Immingham), Scrooby, Babworth, Roots Lecture Series Austerfield, Gainsborough and Boston. The series of lectures focused on the Pilgrim Roots Bassetlaw Open Churches Weekend region continues. Roots Lecture Series Visit the churches in Bassetlaw, including those where Brewster, Bradford, Clifton and other Pilgrims The series of lectures focused on the Pilgrim Roots preached and worshipped. region continues. Worcester Roots Lecture Series Brewster Exhibition Three Choirs Festival The series of lectures focused on the Pilgrim Roots See an exhibition dedicated to William Brewster in A week long programme of the world’s oldest music region continues. Retford. festival celebrates over 300 years of musical history with a week-long programme of concerts from Retford Charter Day Short Story Competition 25 July to 1 August 2020, based around beautiful Bassetlaw District Councils annual story writing Worcester Cathedral. competition – write your own story inspired by the Gainsborough & Lincolnshire journey of the Mayflower Pilgrims. Churches Festival JUBILEE SAILING TRUST Churches across Gainsborough and the West Lindsey Harwich district of Lincolnshire open their doors for the churches The proposed locations for the Jubilee festival, including special events and talks. Mayflower Festival Trust to visit include Harwich, Dartmouth, Harwich, the port town in Essex where the Mayflower Southampton, Rotherhithe and Plymouth. was built and her Captain Christopher Jones was twice Doncaster wed commemorates the Mayflower story. The Jubilee Sailing Trust has the only two fully accessible tall ships in the world. For nearly Mayflower Festival