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Mayflower 400 | History Hits with Dan Snow, Songs of Praise in Plymouth and more!

11th September 2020

Categories: Visitor News

Image: Aled Jones

As September 16^th approaches, there are more exciting events coming up in Plymouth to celebrate the anniversary of the Mayflower.

The main event on 16^th September is History Hits: Mayflower 400 - Steering our future, informed by the past

An online documentary presented by well-known TV historian Dan Snow will air on 16 September, marking exactly 400 years to the day since the Mayflower ship set sail. The documentary will reflect the story of the Pilgrims' journey, its impact on the Native American people who helped them when they first arrived and the wider colonial context of this journey. It will also include a look at some of the cultural projects involved in the commemorative programme.

Watch the digital programme on Wednesday 16 September at 6pm via mayflower400uk.org and find out more @mayflower400uk social media channels.

But that’s not all, there are a number of events taking place on the lead up to the anniversary too including:

Mayflower 400 Quilt Exhibition

10 - 19 Sept 2020 St Andrew’s Minster

The exhibition includes quilts designed and created by individuals, groups and schools from across the South West and from America based on one of four themes inspired by Mayflower 400; Leaving Home, Life at Sea, Journey’s End and Life in the New Land.

Entry to the exhibition is free but donations for UNICEF will be welcomed.

Teas and Coffees will be available. Due to social distancing, it will be necessary to limit the number of people in the church at any one time, so there may be a short time to wait. Please wear a face covering. Click here to view details or go to mayflower400uk.org

Songs of Praise

Presented by Aled Jones, the programme visits various locations across Plymouth connected to the Mayflower story, discovers the architecture of St Andrew’s Minster and includes a visit to The Box.

The programme looks at the people of the Mayflower, their arrival in America and the relationship with the Wampanoag revealing how the voyage has left its mark on both sides of the Atlantic - assessing the legacy of the mayflower story in the USA and in Britain.

Also featured in the programme, Kate Bottley travels to Nottinghamshire to meet a living relative of one of the elders of the group. Click here for more information on the BBC website

Speedwell

Speedwell is a large-scale art installation that has transformed the Mount Batten Breakwater in Plymouth into a public forum for discussion and debate about the impact and legacy of the Mayflower's journey, colonialism and the ecological state of our planet during the Mayflower 400 commemorations.

Created by local artist collective Still/Moving, 'Speedwell' was funded by Arts Council England and Plymouth Culture as part of Mayflower 400.

Measuring 63m long and 6m high, 'Speedwell' will use illuminated signage comprising 3,723 LED lights to invite viewers to ask complex questions about themselves, the damaged planet and the legacy of the pivotal journeys made by the Mayflower and its companion ship the Speedwell.