The Barker-Mill Foundation (BMF) has donated £99,000 towards what will be an event of global significance, as Southampton prepares to commemorate the 400th anniversary sailing of the Mayflower in 2020.
Southampton Cultural Development Trust (SCDT) is putting the funds towards running a far-reaching programme of events and activities, which will raise the profile of Southampton as a cultural hub, while simultaneously commemorating its legacy in the 1620 historic event. The occasion is expected to attract visitors from all over the world.
Planning for the year long programme of community, creative, educational and capital investment activity kicked off last year, and aims to celebrate the themes of freedom, futures, humanity ,and identity highlighting the Mayflower’s impact on Southampton and world history.
James Gough, Director of the SCDT, said: “2020 is set to be a huge milestone year for the city of Southampton. The story of the sailing of the Mayflower is one of adversity and danger, adventure and refuge, written across borders and continents. The commemoration of the Mayflower’s journey, and the Speedwell, offers the opportunity to learn from our shared past and to inform our joint futures. This is a story about the future and present, as well as the past, and we are very grateful to the Barker-Mill Foundation for its wonderful donation which will help to develop an exciting programme of activity for the people of Southampton and beyond.”
The Barker-Mill family were successful merchants in Southampton when the Mayflower arrived in Southampton. Tim Jobling, BMF Trustee, said: “When we heard about what the SCTD had planned for the Mayflower’s 400th celebrations, we knew we had to be involved. It’s a unique opportunity to commemorate not only the legacy of the passengers and crew who undertook the journey and to highlight their stories and heritage, but to also continue to extend the legacy of the Barker-Mill family and their links with the city of Southampton.”
James added: “The Mayflower 400 programme has been created to align 11 core destinations in England with wider local, national and international partners in Holland and the USA and the over 20 million US citizens who descended from the Mayflower. It will deliver a world-class series of events, public art and wider content that will commemorate this exceptional voyage and provide a major ongoing impact across the partnership, knitting together communities, inspiring creativity and culture, driving economic growth, and promoting understanding and education.”
To find out further information about Mayflower 400, visit: www.mayflower400uk.com