Nottinghamshire’s very own Mayflower Scholar is embarking on an American adventure to help uncover more about the county’s Pilgrims and their descendants.
Nottinghamshire County Council worked with Nottingham Roosevelt Memorial Travelling Scholarship to recruit a Nottinghamshire Mayflower scholar to visit America in 2020. The Scholarship has been fully-funded by the County Council.
Tom Cable, 23, will now visit Boston, Massachusetts and other East Coast locations as part of his five week-long, fact-finding trip after being chosen for this special role.
The new research will help mark the 400th anniversary of Pilgrims from Nottinghamshire sailing to America on the Mayflower to help pioneer the new world .
Today 25 million Americans descend from the 102 passengers of the Mayflower. Nottinghamshire County Council leader, Councillor Kay Cutts MBE said,
“This scholarship will help give a fresh perspective about this fascinating era of history.
“People travelled across the world to set up a new colony and establish principles for the foundation of freedom and modern democracy, led by William Brewster from Scrooby.
“What happened here in Nottinghamshire hundreds of years ago had a far-reaching impact in Britain and beyond, so it is a story that needs to be shared for future generations.”
“Tom’s role will involve interviewing the descendants of the Pilgrim settlers who left Nottinghamshire to travel on the Mayflower to start a new life in America.
“I look forward to hearing about Tom’s research, findings and stories upon his return.”
Tom, from Hucknall, is a local actor who also teaches school children about local history. Ahead of his trip he said,
“I was delighted to be chosen for this prestigious scholarship to help bring this little-known era of Nottinghamshire history to a wider audience.
“ I’m looking forward to researching and capturing the life stories and legacies of the descendants of the Pilgrim settlers who left this county and sailed on the Mayflower.”
Tom will focus on unearthing stories from both the perspective of their descendants as well as the Native American Wampanoags who played a critical part in the early settlers’ story. In turn, this will contribute to a wider theme of migration, freedom and tolerance.
Mick Burrows, Chairman of the Roosevelt Scholarship said,
“ I am confident that Tom with all his skills and experience will bring a very creative and meaningful project to life that enables us to learn more about Nottinghamshire’s Mayflower Pilgrims and their encounters for today’s world. The Roosevelt scholarship is delighted to join with the Council in bringing this valued learning to life and supporting Tom with its resources and contacts.”
On his return, Tom will create a role-play character to help tell this globally-significant tale from the perspective of a Pilgrim. He will perform and visit local schools and events throughout 2020.
Tom’s findings and research will also be made available online to help local schools, residents and visitors discover more about Nottinghamshire’s Pilgrims past.
Nottinghamshire County Council is also planning a series of local educational, community and creative events to also help commemorate this historic milestone during the year.
It forms part of the Council’s commitment to growing heritage tourism in Nottinghamshire, encouraging more visitors to the county and creating growth and new jobs in the sector.
Pilgrim event details will be available at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/mayflowerpilgrims or follow @nottscc on Twitter, where regular video blogs of Tom’s journey will be available. Tom’s trip started on 1 March and he is due to return late April.