In spite of current conditions, most of our Dartmouth Mayflower 400, 2020 projects continue. Lockdown has brought new challenges for the team building the Replica Mayflower model, destined for the Mayflower Exhibition in the Museum.
The Sandquay (BRNC) workshop is currently closed with the almost complete hull of the model safely still on site. Meanwhile the team of volunteers has taken to working safely in their own homes by changing around their project plan. Ian Kirkwood’s revised plan, moving the planned June work to April, has enabled the ever-resourceful team to continue progress on the model from the inside out.
Fully complying with isolation restrictions and now working in their own homes on masts, spars, rigging, ladders and doors, barrels and capstan, research and internal contents are: Ian & Niki Kirkwood, Spencer Wigley, Aiden James, Phil Braakenburg, David Heron, and Bob Hart. Along with them John Lancaster, the Master Woodturner is helping from Barnstaple.
Home workshops have been modified, tools and equipment moved, and innovative new machines built. Dartmouth now has its first rope-making facility in hundreds of years.
The team are working to reduce the impact of the current lockdown on their timetable. Good progress is being made, morale is high and they are all learning new skills.
More information on the Replica Mayflower Project
