Mayflower 400 Oral History Project
+ FREE Filmmaking Workshops for Young People

2020 marked the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower on its now famous journey to the New World. The Mayflower and her sister ship, Speedwell, set sail from West Quay, Southampton, on 15 August 1620, carrying 102 passengers. Around 40 of these were the Puritan Separatists who, through time, have become known as America’s Founding Fathers. They settled in what had been the Native American village of Patuxet. The village had been abandoned by the Wampanaog people who lived there after the death of the majority of its inhabitants in a ‘great plague’ (1616 – 1619), brought by English and European invaders. ​

outhampton is the first city to look at a Mayflower anniversary through the lens of migration, looking at the sailing in the context of Southampton’s long-history as a place of refuge, migration and transmigration, drawing out themes pertinent to modern Southampton.  The City has marked the anniversary through a series of educational, cultural and community programmes.

City Eye has worked with oral historian Padmini Broomfield to reveal the stories of 12 migrant community members living in Southampton. Using these personal stories of journeys to Southampton, lives before and after arrival, settling and establishing Southampton as the new home, we are working with young people in the city to create short films inspired by these experiences.​
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In March and April 2021 we worked with young people to create short films inspired by some of these stories.


For more information about our work to develop and support young filmmakers of all ages (and to check what a good time we all have!)  click here to see our Young Filmmakers film!

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This project is part of the city-wide Mayflower 400 programme of events and activities and is supported by

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Charity No. 1089882  |  Company Reg. 2786596