THE ORGANISERS of an event celebrating Droitwich’s New World pioneer Edward Winslow have received thanks from across the pond.
Edward Winslow Day, which will take place this weekend in Droitwich, has caught the eye of the Winslow Heritage Society over in the United States.
Following the success of last year’s Edward Winslow Day, this year’s event will now take place over three days from Thursday, November 27, to Saturday, November 29.
Craig Failor, who is the governor of the Winslow Heritage Society, has sent organisers a message wishing them the best of luck ahead of this weekend’s celebrations.
Mr Failor said: “We at the Winslow Heritage Society in the United States appreciate all that you have done and planned for Edward Winslow and his family.
“Our organisation recognise not only the great contributions of Edward but also those of his brothers Josiah, Kenelm, John and Gilbert. We wish we could be there to help you celebrate.
“We wish you much success and enjoyment for this event.”
Winslow was a separatist and New England political leader who became a key figure among the Mayflower Pilgrims, becoming one of the first English natives to travel to what would become the United States.
On November 27, there will be an American flag raising ceremony at St Richard’s House at 11am, followed by a thanksgiving service at 6pm at St Peter’s Church.
The American flag will be lowered at 2pm on Saturday, November 29.
There will also be music and entertainment at St Andrews Shopping Centre between 10am and 4pm on November 29, including line dancers and performances from the Salties Folk Trio, Voices Unlimited, and the Worcestershire Folk Players.
And there will be a themed market in Victoria Square at the same time.
Held on Thanksgiving Day, the festivities give a nod to Winslow’s involvement in the first-ever Thanksgiving dinner in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Born in Droitwich in 1595 and baptised in St Peter’s church in the town, Winslow grew up in a family who were deeply involved in the salt production trade, owning their own salt pit.
His education saw him attend King’s School in Worcester, and he later became a printer in London.
In 1617, he travelled to Leiden, Holland, becoming a prominent member of the local English Puritan Church.
Three years later, he boarded the Mayflower, a ship that carried 102 passengers from England to the New World.
He was a founder of the colony at Plymouth, Massachusetts, and served as governor three times there.
In October 1646, he left the New World and spent nine years in England, where he held minor offices under Oliver Cromwell.
In 1654, Winslow was chief of the three commissioners that Cromwell sent on his expedition against the West Indies.
However, in May 1655, he died of Yellow fever on board his ship between Hispaniola and Jamaica and was buried at sea.
