Mayflower 2020

Mayflower 400 – Plymouth

On the 6th November 2021 in Plymouth, Devon, Thames Alive completed their commemorations of the sailing and safe return of ‘The Mayflower’ 400 years ago. Admiral Lord West carried a copy of the message from the Master of the ship, Christopher Jones, arriving by boat with two descendants of the original Pilgrims, Elizabeth Brooks Callaghan and William Alden MBE. The descendants laid white roses on the Mayflower Steps memorial whilst Admiral Lord West inspected a Guard of Honour of Sea Cadets from the local Drake detachment led by Sub Lieutenant (SCC) David Hawkins RNR and WO1 Alex Orr.

The Lord Mayor of Plymouth Cllr. Terri Bear welcomed them to The Mayflower Museum where the presentation took place.

A message from the Mayor of Southwark was read by Malcolm Knight, Thames Alive, followed by the Master’s message read by Admiral Lord West.

Elizabeth Brooks Callaghan presented a copy of the Mayflower Compact (believed to have been written by her great, great times 10 Grandfather William Brewster) to the Lord Mayor and then read a message from Congressman Ron Kind of Wisconsin recognizing the importance of the links between the USA and the UK legislature.

A video message from the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lyndsay Hoyle MP, was played and finally William Alden MBE, a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Stationers, presented the sealed copy of the Scroll to the Lord Mayor who replied on behalf of the City of Plymouth.

The ceremony was concluded with words from Roger Mutton of Thames Alive.

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Mayflower 400 – The Return of ‘The Mayflower’

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Presentation of the Scroll by the UK Speaker of the House of Commons to the USA Speaker House of Representatives

Thames Trip for MP’s gift to US House of Representatives - Mayflower 400 London

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House of Commons video

Mayflower 400 - Palace of Westminster ceremony »

Mayflower 2020 Newsletter (August 2020) »

Mayflower 2020 Newsletter (March 2020) »

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UK and US Speakers ‘meet’ to mark the voyage of the Mayflower (December 2020)

The incredible journey taken by the Mayflower from the UK to the USA has been marked by a special virtual meeting between Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and his counterpart in the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.

Sir Lindsay ‘presented’ an illuminated scroll, commemorating the arrival in Massachusetts in 1620 of the Pilgrim Fathers and Adventurers, to Speaker Pelosi in Washington DC during an online ceremony via MS Teams.

The Commons Speaker also used the opportunity to congratulate the newly elected President following the US election.

The specially commissioned scroll was sealed on the banks of the Thames in September – just miles from where the Mayflower set sail 400 years’ earlier - in a ceremony attended by Sir Lindsay, Admiral Lord West and the US Ambassador to the UK, Robert ‘Woody’ Johnson.

It was flown to Washington DC, where it was received by Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Ron Kind, the Democratic Chief Deputy Whip and chair of the House British-American Parliamentary Group, and Congressman George Holding, vice chair of the House BAPG.

Opening the online ceremony on Tuesday, Sir Lindsay said: ‘Firstly, as Speaker of the House of Commons – I would like to offer my congratulations to the newly elected president.
‘And, when the time is right, I would like to invite you – Madam Speaker – and President-elect Biden to visit us in the House of Commons.’

Sir Lindsay said the courage of the Founding Fathers and the compassion of the Native Americans was ‘an example to follow in these troubled times’ in that ‘they pulled together and shaped our world’.

While the impact on the Indigenous people of the initial settlers should not be forgotten, he said the enterprise ‘built a bridge across the Atlantic of ideas and shared values - and a friendship that has endured the test of time’.

‘Madam Speaker, in recognition of our close relationship – Parliament to Parliament, Government to Government and People to People – may I present you with this commemorative scroll.’

Speaker Pelosi said: ‘Four hundred years ago, more than 100 brave men, women and children set sail on a perilous journey to a new world in search of the promise of opportunity and freedom for themselves and their descendants.

‘Today, this historic event serves as a poignant symbol of the friendship, spirit of courage and commitment to progress that unites the people of America and the United Kingdom.

‘As Speaker of the House, it is a privilege to virtually join Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, representatives of Thames Alive and so many outstanding British and American leaders as I accept this beautiful scroll on behalf of the House of Representatives in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s momentous voyage.’

The Mayflower left the London port of Rotherhithe with dozens of adventurers and pilgrims on board to meet other English pilgrims who had fled to Leiden in the Netherlands, and were sailing in their own ship, the Speedwell. The plan was for the two ships to meet in Southampton, before heading off across the Atlantic together. However, the smaller ship proved to be unseaworthy, forcing them to turn back twice, before the Mayflower took on some of her passengers. She finally set sail from Plymouth with 102 passengers on board – just under half of whom were fleeing persecution for their religious beliefs.

Rep Ron Kind said he was ‘honoured’ to be involved in the virtual gathering. ‘Having an ancestor who sailed aboard that ship so many years’ ago, it brings me deep pride to be part of this ceremony – and it also serves as a reminder of the lasting and enduring ties our two countries share,’ he said.

‘I look forward to strengthening those ties as our countries work together to address shared opportunities and challenges.’

Sir Lindsay was particularly interested in the event as Myles Standish, one of the passengers on the ship, was from his constituency of Chorley and was hired by the Pilgrims to be their military captain.

Roger Mutton, event producer at Thames Live, which promotes the river’s history, business and culture, said: ‘Despite the limitations, we still wanted to mark this special date in our shared history.’

Part III of the commemorations will take place in London in 2021 when we will celebrate ‘The Return of The Mayflower’ – more details to follow as circumstances develop.

 

Mayflower 2020 Newsletter (February 2020) »

 

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