There are plenty of events happening in and around North Nottinghamshire as part of this year’s Pilgrims Festival – marking the official opening of the Mayflower 400 commemorative year!
Retford’s Illuminate event
Friday 22nd November 2019
This year’s Illuminate event in Retford will be on Friday 22nd November 2019, starting at 5.30pm. This will be the fifth year that Retford commemorates the Mayflower Pilgrim Families’ journey to America, as we arrive at 2020, the 400th anniversary of their arrival in America. This year’s events mark the opening of the commemorative year, and have been made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England.
This year’s Pilgrims Festival Illuminate events have been successfully will start in Gainsborough with Illuminate on 16th November, followed by Bawtry on 17th November, with increasing numbers taking part and turning out to watch. Let’s make Retford’s event even more successful!
Retford will see its lantern parade assembling from 5pm outside Wilko’s on Carolgate and walking to St Swithun’s Parish Church, starting at 5.30pm. Local uniformed groups, schools and voluntary organisations have been making lanterns with artists and will be taking part in the parade to support this local community event.
The parade will arrive at St Swithun’s Parish Church at around 6pm where there will be 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 Electric Egg. Refreshments will be available afterwards inside the church. Everyone is very welcome – please wear appropriate warm clothing – it is November.
Rhubarb Theatre delivers creative, original and theatrical experiences which stimulate children’s imaginations. Set up in 2000, they have grown to a full time professional touring company and registered charity, specialising in education and entertainment performance for children and families
Babworth Arts Weekend
Saturday 23rd-Sunday 24th November
This year’s Pilgrims Festival Art Exhibition will be on Saturday 23rd (10am-4pm) and Sunday 24th (12-4pm) November. This will be the fourth year that Babworth Church has held the Pilgrims Art Exhibition.
All work on display in Babworth Church will have been inspired by the Separatist and Mayflower Pilgrims story. Any artists may provide their work which should be delivered to Babworth Church on Thursday 21st November between 12pm and 5pm with a short identifying summary. The Art Exhibition will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 23rd November and between 12pm and 4pm on Sunday 24th November.
Entry to the event is free, refreshments are available for a small charge, and donations to the Church are always welcome. The Pilgrim Embroiderers will be there, so you can see how it is done!
Here is the programme of events for the weekend:
Saturday 23rd November:
• 11am: A talk on buttons by local crafter, Diane Hemsley
• 12pm: A talk on Worksop Priory by Priory tour guide, David Caseldine
• 2pm: Three Piece Suite play baroque music
Sunday 24th November
• 3pm: A talk by local author and historian, Adrian Gray on themes from his new book arriving in 2020
Worksop’s Illuminate event
Wednesday 27th November
For the first time there will be a Pilgrims Festival Illuminate event in Worksop, thanks to a grant from Arts Council England to BCH. It will be on Wednesday 27th November 2019.
Illuminate will start at 5.00pm for 5.30pm with all-age event at The Crossing, Newcastle Avenue, with performances by Rhubarb Theatre and the Songbirds choir. There will then be a parade to Worksop Priory where a ‘400’ photograph will be taken outside the west door, and a fantastic light projection show will take place on the outside of the south wall.
Mince pies and mulled wine will be available inside the Priory. There will be the chance to preview the Priory’s Christmas Tree Festival as well as to see the larger illuminated lanterns close up. Everyone is very welcome – please wear appropriate warm clothing – it is November.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Thursday 28th November
There will be a Thanksgiving Dinner, with entertainment, at Spencer’s on the Square, in Retford, at 7pm on Thursday 28th November (Thanksgiving Day).
If you’re looking for an excuse for a good night out or a location for a work Christmas ‘Do’, contact 01777 800230, or call in to book (£30 each).
Bassetlaw Christian Heritage 