Gainsborough: Queen Elizabeth’s students remember the Pilgrim Fathers on special lantern walk

A group of Year Eight students from Queen Elizabeth’s High School in Gainsborough completed a special lantern walk from Gainsborough to St Swithun’s Church in Retford as part of a programme of events to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers’ sailing to America in the Mayflower.

Students from Queen Elizabeth's High School walked from Gainsborough to Retford in memory of the Pilgrim Fathers

In particular, the 28 Queen Elizabeth’s students who took park were remembering John Smyth, one of the Pilgrim Fathers, who came from Gainsborough itself.

After attending a lantern lighting ceremony at the United Reformed Church in Gainsborough, the students walked, with a lighted lantern to Retford.

There, joined up with walkers from other schools to attend a memorial church service at St Swithun’s that was attended by the Bishop Lincoln and Bassetlaw MP John Mann.

“It was a lovely day, a real occasion and one we all enjoyed, although it was hard work on the walk,” said John Kingdom, one of the staff members who also took part.

“Around 14 miles was a long way to go but it was all well worth it for a special day.”