Plymouth gets set to celebrate links with America

Children from a number of Plymouth schools, community groups and business leaders will join a lantern parade as part of the Illuminate and Thanksgiving event being held on Thursday 26 November.

The event, which is organised by Plymouth Mayflower 400 Leadership Group, Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, commemorates the Pilgrim’s voyage to the New World and continues the official countdown to the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower sailing in 2020.

The aim of the event is to ‘share the light’ and inspire a sense of unity between Plymouth and America.

The Pilgrims set sail from Plymouth on the Mayflower on the 16 September 1620, and arrived 66 days later in Cape Cod on the US East Coast on 21 November 1620 before finally landing in the colony of Plimoth in the state of Massachusetts on 21 December 1620. It is estimated that over 16 million Americans today are directly descended from those on the ship.

The ceremony will begin at 5pm at the Mayflower Steps and guests will be welcomed by tributes from The Lord Mayor of Plymouth Councillor Dr John Mahony, Chair of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership Chris Arscott and Plymouth historian Chris Robinson.

Chris Arscott, Chair of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership said: “Plymouth is Britain’s Ocean City with strong ties across the globe built on an extensive maritime history. The Barbican’s Mayflower Steps commemorative arch, close to from where the ship set sail, is a perfect setting to host this important ceremony.”

During the ceremony there will also be choir performances from the Mayflower 400 Legacy Choir and lights surrounding the Mayflower Steps will be switched on by Leader of Plymouth City Council as part of the Council’s initiative to light up iconic Plymouth landmarks. The lighting infrastructure has been funded by the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership.

Councillor Evans said: “This is a significant part of our history and this is an exciting moment for our community to come together, not only to unite with our sister-city in the US but to celebrate Plymouth’s part in the voyage.”

At 5.30pm a lantern parade led by the Plymouth Pipe Band will follow the route from Commercial Wharf, along Notte Street, Buckwell Street and then onto the Minister Church of St. Andrew.

Local parade artist, Karen Evans has been working closely with the Racial Equality Council and community groups as well as schools across the city to create illuminating lanterns specifically for this parade. Visitors attending this event can join this parade as it makes its way to the church.

At 6.20pm Reverend Joe Dent will conduct a service to commemorate the occasion.

It is hoped the 2020 anniversary will be a pivotal moment for Plymouth that will provide a platform for a national celebration of the relationship between the UK and US and will place Plymouth’s unique heritage and contribution to world history, on the global map.

More information about the Illuminate and Thanksgiving event can be found online at www.mayflower400uk.com and visitplymouth.co.uk.