The crowds turned out in the rain to take part in the Pilgrims Festival Illuminate Parade on Friday 22nd November.
This was the fifth year that Retford has taken part in the commemorations of the Mayflower Pilgrim Families’ journey to America. These events form the opening of the commemorative year leading to the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage in 2020 .
Retford’s event on 22nd was the fourth in the Pilgrim Roots area following Gainsborough on 16th, Bawtry on 17th and Boston on 21st November, with increasing numbers taking part and turning out to watch. Retford’s event was even more successful!
Retford’s lantern parade started outside Wilko’s on Carolgate at 5.30pm and walked to St Swithun’s Parish Church. The parade was led by the Chairman of Bassetlaw District Council, Cllr Deborah Merryweather and Retford Mayor, Garry Clarkson. Local uniformed groups, schools and voluntary organisations came with lanterns that they had made in workshops with artist Kirsty Champ. Specially commissioned large lanterns were made by artists Julie Willoughby and Jess Kemp. The pipers from the Retford Pipe and Drum band provided the music and members of the Retford Lions helped with the larger lanterns and with marshalling the parade.
There was an all-age event at St Swithun’s Parish Church led by Rev’d Mark Cantrill, including performances by Rhubarb Theatre and the Songbirds choir, followed by the ever popular ‘400’ photograph in the churchyard, and a fantastic light projection show on the side of the church commissioned from specialists Electric Egg .
Refreshments were provided afterwards inside the church, and Bassetlaw Christian Heritage Chair, Rick Brand, presented Veda Brocklesby, representing St Swithun’s, and Dr Anna Scott with bouquets as thanks for their support and help since the first Pilgrims Festival.
Bassetlaw Christian Heritage (BCH) is delighted to have received funding from Arts Council England, with support from the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham, and District Councillors Carolyn Troop, Helen Richards and Joan Sanger via their community grants.
Visitor numbers to the area are already increasing, and are forecast to increase further, as 2020 grows closer. The story of the Mayflower Pilgrim families and their roots in the area in and around Bassetlaw, North Nottinghamshire, is becoming better known.
You can find out more about the story on this website or by visiting the Pilgrims Gallery in Bassetlaw Museum, Retford, the Pilgrims Museum at The Hub in Churchgate, Retford, and the Pilgrims Room at the United Reformed Church in Gainsborough.
BCH is grateful to Arts Council England, the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham, Bassetlaw District Councillors, St Swithun’s Parish Church, the Methodist Church, Scouts, Guides and schools in Bassetlaw for their continuing support.
Photo credit: Electric Egg for BCH
Bassetlaw Christian Heritage 