Trumpton Fire - Torrington Cavaliers Big Charity Bonfire (Image: Jayne Poole)
An ambitious plan to create a full size replica of the Mayflower in port, flanked by strategic buildings, is being put together by prolific North Devon fundraisers and bonfire experts the Torrington Cavaliers.
It is a little known fact that the Torrington Cavaliers have close connection to the Mayflower as Bonfire 2020 project lead, Steve Blake, explained: “The Torrington Cavaliers were created 50 years ago in response to an invitation from Plymouth to join the Mayflower 350 celebrations.
Trumpton Fire - Torrington Cavaliers Big Charity Bonfire (Image: Jayne Poole)
“Having recently won the Queens Award for volunteering we’re proud to be joining Mayflower 400 and celebrating our 50th anniversary by building a life size replica of the Mayflower which we’ll then, in traditional Cavaliers style, set on fire.”
A host of events are being planned for 2020 to mark the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage, one of the most influential journeys in global history and a defining moment in the relationship between Britain, the US and the Netherlands.
The enormous bonfire in Torrington is just one of a series of headline events taking place to mark the Mayflower’s historic journey.
A festival of light will be wowing people in Plymouth. Illuminate will open the Mayflower 400 commemorations in style in November 2019.
The Mayflower Muster, a nine day festival running across the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s departure on September 16, 2020. It will celebrate Plymouth’s diverse heritage through a range of events including major military activity, fireworks, music, culture and sport.
The Mayflower 400 Trail
Two tall ships, owned by the Jubilee Sailing Trust, will undertake a voyage from Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, empowering a socially inclusive crew as they sail along the Mayflower’s original route.
A map showing the activities planned in Plymouth
The Atlantic Project, a major international festival of contemporary art piloting in 2018, will take place again in 2020 investigating the relationship between the UK and US, “using this as an opportunity to reassess Western principles such as freedom of speech, religious freedom, civil rights and the right to privacy as well as tackling themes of colonisation, globalisation and democracy.”
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