Does Harwich really need the Mayflower Project, at a cost of nearly £4million?

I am sure the majority of people from Harwich and Dovercourt would much rather have something practical for the town, such as a new community centre.

This, of course, would not bring in tourism. But would a replica of an old ship do this?

The only connection Harwich has with the Mayflower is that the captain was a resident of the town.

The Mayflower sailed from Plymouth in 1620, taking the Pilgrim Fathers to America.

A replica was built in the 1950s, in Dartmouth, sailed to America, and has been there ever since.

If another replica was built for Harwich, where would it be situated, and who would be responsible for the cost of maintenance?

The insurance would be very expensive and the ship would need to have someone on board at all times, to guard against vandalism.

Not so long ago, the Cutty Sark, in Greenwich, London, was badly burnt.

All this needs careful consideration before such a project is undertaken.

Patricia Stockman
Louvain Road
Dovercourt