The Plymouth Mayflower 400 commemorative programme had an impressive impact despite the impact of the pandemic, reaching millions of people, attracting visitors and engaging local residents in new activities.
A final report produced by the University of Plymouth’s evaluation experts, SERIO, has been published and highlights the positive rewards of the hard work carried out by individuals, groups, communities and organisations in the city.
The Plymouth Mayflower 400 programme engaged with over 1.3 million people, both in-person and digitally. It helped to bring more than 5.3 million visitors to Plymouth before the pandemic’s impact was felt, and led to media coverage worth over £280 million.
Over 400 locals also signed up to volunteer as Mayflower Makers and contributed around 7,000 hours of their time to support the commemorative activities.
Other highlights of the programme include:
- The Box opened to significant acclaim, with 75 per cent of reviews rating it as good or excellent
- Almost 40,000 tickets were sold for the Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy exhibition at The Box
- 50,000 visitors attended Illuminate in 2019, with over 400,000 reached online
- 50 organisations were commissioned through Mayflower 400 Community Sparks and successful delivered grassroots activity throughout the city, engaging with 48,000 people in Plymouth
- The ‘No New Worlds’ installation by Still Moving on Mount Batten pier attracted an estimated 400,000 viewers over three months and generated local, national and international media coverage worth £9.5 million
- Digital content including Dan Snow’s Mayflower documentary and the ‘Virtual Voyages’ reached over 600,000 people online
- 8,700 residents participated in the sports programme during 2020/21
- The Hatchling, by Trigger Productions, attracted around 25,500 visitors and created media coverage worth more than £10 million
- Every state primary and secondary school in Plymouth signed up to at least one Mayflower 400 activity.
Charles Hackett, Chief Executive of Mayflower 400, said: “We’re incredibly proud of these results, delivered in unexpectedly difficult circumstances. We couldn’t have anticipated a global pandemic when we embarked on the commemorative programme and we had to swiftly adapt and change a number of our plans. But despite this, we’ve engaged millions of people with this story, connecting people with history and sharing its relevance to our world today.
“We were delighted to bring some spectacular events, exhibitions and installations to Plymouth too which have been enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, including the incredible ‘Hatchling’ dragon, the stunning ‘No New Worlds’ piece and the excellent ‘Legend & Legacy’ exhibition at The Box.”
The full evaluation report can be read on the Mayflower 400 website.