'The Spirit of the Pilgrim Fathers' Heritage Activity Packs for Schools, Communities and Visitors to Pilgrim Country

The ‘Spirit of the Pilgrim Fathers’ Heritage Activity Packs have been produced by Sherwood Forest Trust.

There is version for schools which is linked to the UK National Curriculum and is packed with information for teachers / leaders with ideas for many cross-curricular activities. It contains dramatic Pilgrim stories and photographs, all created to aid and inspire studies based in Pilgrim Country. A number of local schools were involved in its development.

The community version develops these activities for use by community groups, families and visitors to Pilgrim Country

The comprehensive resource packs use the route of the 'Mayflower Trail' to bring to life the story of the locations and individuals involved in the Pilgrim's flight to religious freedom, 400 years ago. The activities will encourage young people and adults to discover the rich heritage of Pilgrim Country while enjoying the exploration of themes and issues still relevant to their lives today. The adaptable design of the schools pack will allow teachers/ leaders to use it in keeping with their own teaching needs and style, to support not only educational visits and local history, but also many aspects of Religious Education, Citizenship, Literacy,.English and ICT. Local and UK schools/groups at Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 will find the schools pack a valuable addition to their resources. It is also hoped that those visiting online, and in person, from the USA, Holland and other parts of the world will also wish to download and use the heritage pack.

The Heritage Pack for Schools has 3 parts:

• Activities which include - details of the Mayflower Trail which details the origins of the leaders of the Pilgrim Fathers, a play about the Flight from England - a narration by William Button about All aboard the Mayflower - activities arising from the Mayflower Compact - activities arising from the first contact with the Indians - activities arising from the first Thanksgiving - clothing details - food recipes - Pilgrim games - Native games - corn husk dolls - tracing the heritage.
• Teachers Notes which include - background to the heritage pack for schools, the aims of the pack and how to use it - relationship to the UK school curriculum - places to visit in Pilgrim Country - useful websites and bibliograpy.
• The Photopack which includes large images of all the images used within the pack

The Heritage Pack for the Community also has 3 parts:

• Activities similar to the school's pack
• Background Notes similar to the Teachers Notes in the school's pack but without reference to the relationship to the UK school curriculum.
• The Photopack as the school's pack

These heritage packs are free of charge to schools, education centres, community groups and individuals both the UK and across the world.

Sherwood Forest Trust

Sherwood Forest Trust works to ensure the long term survival of the Royal Hunting Forest of Sherwood with its heritage which covers one third of Nottinghamshire.

This is the fifth heritage pack the Sherwood Forest Trust have produced in their 'Spirit of Sherwood' theme which uses the forest as a resource for cultural regeneration.

The range includes an outdoor activity pack for the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, the Medieval and Victorian packs and the 'Spirit of Survival' packs about the World Wars.

The aim is to provide materials that can be used to educate and inspire local people about their heritage and local environment. By being used by schools and by other community groups, they provide solid foundations on which to base larger intergenerational community projects and performances.

The 'Spirit of the Pilgrim Fathers' will allow everyone to take part in the local Pilgrim Fathers heritage.

For further information on the heritage pack for schools and Sherwood Forest Trust contact:

Ade Andrews:
Telephone - +44 (0) 1623 821490,
Email: Ade.Andrews@sherwoodforesttrust.gov.uk