Mayflower historian scoops a prestigious US award

Ever heard the story of the Pilgrim Fathers? Their journey began in Nottinghamshire. In 1620, The Pilgrim Fathers boarded the Mayflower and set sail for the New World colony of Plymouth, USA. The deeply religious Pilgrims felt that England was an un-Godly place which was getting even worse so they believed their only option was to flee. Many of them came from the areas in north Nottinghamshire, including Scrooby, Babworth and Sturton-le-Steeple.

Today, both visitors and locals alike can find out more about the Pilgrims’ journey thanks to Sue Allan, a well-known historical novelist and Mayflower Pilgrim historian who delights in promoting the story of the Pilgrim Fathers and guiding modern day ‘pilgrims’ around the Mayflower Trail. And now, Sue’s hard work has been recognised, as she has won the SMDPA Scholar of the Year 2014. Awarded by the Pennsylvania Mayflower – Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – this prestigious award recognises the enormous achievements, research and work that Sue Allan has put into enhancing the understanding of the Pilgrims story and their contribution to American life. Sue said: “I became interested in the Mayflower Pilgrims' story relatively late in life, when in summer 2002, I unexpectedly found myself moving to Lincolnshire and was extremely surprised at how little even local people knew about this momentous story. Over the years, I became heavily involved across the county border from Lincolnshire into Nottinghamshire, firstly with the formation of the Pilgrim Father’s (UK) Origins Association with its primary aim of promoting and perpetuating the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims in the area from which many of them came, and by that time I had also began guiding visitors around the Mayflower Trail.”

Sue Allan will be presented with her prestigious award on 23 August in Pennsylvania. At the event she will give what promises to be a fascinating presentation on how she trawled through archives in order to piece together tiny scraps of information and countless documents which unlock the secrets of Scrooby Manor. To book a tailor-made Mayflower Pilgrim Tour around the Mayflower Trail, visiting Babworth, Scrooby Church and exclusive authorised access to the site of Scrooby Manor, Austerfield  and Gainsborough Old Hall guided by Sue Allan, please email info@mayflowermaid.com or telephone  +44 (0)1673 878398 for availability and price.