The official countdown to the 400th anniversary of the iconic Mayflower voyage has begun with a series of Illuminate events in UK destinations with links to Mayflower pilgrims. Featuring activities that reflect themes of freedom and liberty, Illuminate aims to unite the nations of the UK, US, Netherlands and Native American people, inspired by Mayflower pilgrim William Bradford, who said: ‘… just as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many’.
Pilgrim Roots Illuminate Series events take place this November in Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Essex and Devon. On 24 November, Harwich’s festival of light in Essex will see a parade go from H’apenny Pier to St Nicholas’s Church, passing the house of Mayflower skipper Christopher Jones (who married at St Nicholas’s in 1593 and 1603) and his first wife, Sara Twitt’s, home, now The Alma Inn. Illuminate celebrations are planned in Plymouth, Devon from 24-26 November.
Illuminate will open the year-long anniversary programme in 2019 and commemorations will culminate in 2020;