Mayflower mosaic embarking on journey to West End care home

A mosaic, co-designed by the residents of supported housing schemes, Burtons, in Plymstock and Abbeyfield House, in Hartley will make the commemorative journey from Plymouth, to West End this month.

In 2020, a venture between Abbeyfield and Mayflower 400 Community Sparks enabled Abbeyfield’s residents to embark on a creative mosaic project, planning their vision of a piece of artwork that will promote the legacy of the Mayflower voyage.

When completed, the mosaic will sit in a publicly accessible garden at Mayflower Court, Abbeyfield’s new independent living scheme in Millbay.

But before this, it is taking a journey to West End, where it will be temporarily displayed at Abbeyfield’s Speedwell Court care home.

The mosaic will then be unveiled in the sensory garden at 2pm on May 13 by Eastleigh MP, Paul Holmes.

Vicki Gillow from The Abbeyfield Society, who organised the project said: “We wanted to make the link between the two maritime cities and the significance of both places in the Mayflower and Speedwell journeys.

“The idea is to commemorate and acknowledge the importance of these journeys and their legacy, the hardships, the heritage and the links with America today.”

In the autumn, the Mayflower Mosaic will make its return journey to Plymouth, mirroring the journey of the Mayflower four centuries ago.

It was created through a series of workshops and virtual consultations with the support of staff.

Deborah Holmes, Customer Relations Manager at Speedwell Court, said: “We are thrilled to have loan of this beautiful commemorative mosaic project.

“Despite the current limitations on indoor visiting, our residents and their families, our staff and community friends will nevertheless be able to enjoy the mosaic and learn more about the Mayflower journey.”

The mosaic project was funded by Mayflower 400 Community Sparks, a partnership project between Mayflower 400, Plymouth Culture, Plymouth City Council, The Box and Vital Sparks.