Mayflower 2020 Commemorative Plaque

Published: 17 November 2020

Want to know about the Mayflower sailing ship that recently appeared in Billericay High Street?

In June 2019 members of the Town Council decided that they wanted to provide a permanent structure to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower sailing. There were already a large number of events planned and the Council’s original idea was to mark the end this celebratory year by unveiling a piece of artwork to serve as a long lasting memorial.

There was already an ideal location – Jim Shields garden at the bottom of the High Street which is owned by the Town Council – so the search then began to find something appropriate. John Doubleday was already known to the Council as he had provided the Child in the Park statue which resides in Lake Meadows. The Town Clerk started a dialogue with John who was very happy to undertake the work, coming up with a design that was immediately approved by the Council. Whilst John was busy designing, moulding, and casting the plaque the Council sought planning permission and arranged for a plinth to be erected.

Covid-19 caused a slight delay with obtaining materials, so the date was put back by about a month. However, on Tuesday 10th November at 12.45pm it finally arrived in the High Street to be installed in its new “forever” home. The Town Council hopes residents will enjoy looking at the plaque for many years to come.