News of community events associated with the Association:

27th November 2007: The children of St Thomas Primary School in Boston gave a lively presentation of the early story of the Separatists and their abortive attempt, exactly 400 years ago, to leave England for Holland from Boston. The story with words devised by the children and the costumes were excellent.

23rd to 25th November 2007: To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Separatists leaving the UK for the Netherlands the Association sponsored a number of events. A key event was a talk at Bawtry Hall by Dr. Jeremy Bangs, the recognised authority on the Pilgrim Fathers, as to whether the Separatists were oppressed and were oppressors. At this event a cheque for £1,000 was presented by Robin Hood Airport Community Fund to cover the costs of developing the 'Spirit of the Pilgrim Fathers' community heritage pack and the Association's website. A Pilgrim Fathers Harvest Festival was held at Tuxford Windmill and a photographic comptetition amongst the members of Retford and District Photographic Society on the Pilgrim Fathers theme was won by Mrs Gee White for her photograph of snowdrops at Babworth Church.

22nd October 2007: Sue Allan, author of the Mayflower Maid, gave a talk on the origins of Thanksgiving to Friends of the Old Hall at Gainsborough Old Hall.

14th November 2007: Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough made the journey of the Pilgrim Fathers the them for their annual inter house drama competition. Each of the four houses wrote a short, innovative play about a different stage of the journey. It was clear that the students had done a significant amount of research and the overall event gave the audience an excellent understanding of the journey.

1st October 2007: The 'Spirit of the Pilgrim Fathers' heritage pack for schools and education groups is complete and available for download. This pack, which has been developed by Sherwood Forest Trust, has three parts - Activities, Teachers Notes and a Photographs. The teachers notes relate the materials to the UK curriculum.

12th July 2007: The first Annual General Meeting of the Association re-appointed Anthony Darbyshire as Chair, Sandra Withington as Secretary and Linda Merryweather as Treasurer of the Association. In addition Barry Bowles was appointed Vice Chair. The Chair Review for the year to 31st March 2007 confirmed that the Association was progressing well in achieving its objectives.

4th July: On US Independence Day, Bassetlaw District Council celebrated the area's close connection with the US by hosting a special ceremony at Scrooby to commemorate the 400th anniversay of the Pilgrim Fathers leaving the area for Holland prior to their setting out for America in 1620. The focus of the ceremony was the receipt of an American flag, which was donated by the Board of Selectmen from Plymouth, Massachusetts and which had previously flown above Plymouth's Town Hall. Roger. T. Vorhauer, the co-author of The Mayflower Maid and Jamestown Woman, raised the flag outside the porch to St. Wilfred's Church with a dedication service being given by Rev. Richard Spray. The unveiling of a commemorative plaque followed in Scrooby Village Hall.

25th June - 6th July: Nearly 500 children from Doncaster and Bassetlaw primary schools had an opportunity to travel back in time to the era of the Pilgrim Fathers thanks to Lifepath, a multi-media educational experience that looks at life and faith in the 17th century. The project took place at St. Wilfred's Church, Scrooby and enabled pupils and teachers to explore themes of living, praying, serving and believing on a 'pilgrim journey' that took them through activities linked to William Brewster. Around 30 volunteers worked with the joint organisers - Scripture Union, the Doncaster Schools Workers Trust and Sheffield Diocese. Feedback was excellent with some students saying it was 'the best day out they had ever had'. It is hoped to repeat the event in 2008.

25th May: A new Pilgrim Fathers exhibition of items relevant to the Pilgrim Fathers was launched at Gainsborough Old Hall.

19th May: Gainsborough Old Hall, in association with Gainsborough Town Library held a 'Going Dutch' evening where Sue Allan gave a talk on the Pilgrim Father links with Holland. Authentic recipes from the Netherlands were sampled.

18th April: The draft Pilgrim Fathers Heritage Pack for schools was launched at Retford Oaks School. This pack, which is related to the curriculum, has been developed and funded by Sherwood Forest Trust. It is hoped that schools in Pilgrim Country will use the pack as the basis for drama activities. If there is demand the Association will sponsor a drama competition for the Festival Weekend.

30th March 2007: The fifth book in the ARIES project series - William Brewster of the Pilgrim Fathers - was launched at Gainsborough Old Hall. The pupils of Gainsborough Paris Church Primary School led the presentation and Curtis Reid, Vice Consul at the US Embassy was guest speaker.

22nd May 2006: The new Mayflower Trail leaflet was launched at the Crown Hotel, Bawtry with guest speakers Dr. Jeremy Bangs, Director of the American Pilgrim Museum in Leiden and David Ryall, Managing Director of Robin Hood Airport.