Planning for Bunyan 400 began towards the end of 2023, when the Museum Committee asked Doreen Watson and Janet Wootton to form a committee to explore options for the 400th anniversary of John Bunyan’s birth and 350th anniversary of The Pilgrim’s Progress. 2028 seemed a long way off, but these were occasions worth commemorating properly.
We quickly drew together people who were all connected with Bunyan Meeting Church or Museum who you can learn more about on our Meet the Steering Committee page. Some, including Doreen herself, and Alan Millbery, had been involved in the creation of the present Museum from the existing collection, built up over many years. All are fully involved in the life of the community, with lots of experience in church, heritage or arts, and in running major projects.
Amazing ‘Amazing Grace‘
Our sister museum in Olney, Buckinghamshire, The Cowper and Newton Museum, had recently run a hugely successful celebration of the 250th anniversary of the hymn, ‘Amazing Grace’, to which one or two of us had contributed, and one of the first things we did was to meet with the prime mover in that enterprise, Amanda Molcher. She gave us excellent advice, and pointers about getting started.
Spreading the Nets
Beginning from existing networks, we spread our nets as widely as possible, building up a database of contacts in the fields of Christianity, heritage, arts / performance, literature, social concern. We were asked to write articles for the International John Bunyan Society, and our local news network, the Bedford Clanger, and to make presentations to heritage societies and academic institutions around the country. We were beginning to realise the extent of interest in, even enthusiasm about, the anniversary.
And we started to collect ideas – masses of them! Alan Millbery created an amazing spreadsheet, with eventually over 150 ideas categorised by theme, type, and progress. No idea was rejected at this stage, though they did have to have a person’s name by them, their ‘champion’. This was a hugely exhilarating point in the process.
The Launch
By the autumn, it was time to test the level of interest, and gather support. On October 19th, 2024, we held a Launch Day at Bunyan Meeting. This was aimed at community leaders and local organisations in Bedford Town, Borough and County. The ‘strap line’ INFORM, INSPIRE, ENGAGE
was born, as we aimed to inform people about the anniversaries, inspire them with the life and witness of John Bunyan and The Pilgrim’s Progress, and engage them in the forward process of the anniversaries, so plans were made, and invitations sent out.
The day began with a brief presentation chaired by the Minister, the Revd Christopher Damp. Janet Wootton presented the project, as a significant event for the whole community, with the potential to engage with many different interests, and bring great benefit to the Town and Borough, and beyond. Why remember John Bunyan explores why Bunyan’s story is relevant in our own time.
We were delighted to welcome a number of local community leaders to bring messages of greeting and support, beginning with Deputy Lieutenant Philip Fothergill, representing the Lord Lieutenant, who started by giving her pledge of support to the anniversaries. He was followed by the Mayor, Tom Wootton, local historian, David Fowler, Mary Moody from the Baptist Union and Duncan Fraser, involved in many music initiatives in Bedford. The last speaker was Amanda Molcher from the Amazing Grace celebration.
In all, about 50+ representatives of Bedfordshire organisations attended, and another 20 gave apologies but wished to stay in touch.
Nearly half of those who attended completed the feedback form, offering contacts, skills and practical help – an amazing response rate! We had certainly succeeded in our aim to INFORM, INSPIRE, ENGAGE.
Coalition and Coalescence
Following the launch, we have been following up with those who came to the launch or expressed interest in being involved, building up coalitions in areas of interest: faith communities, music, heritage, arts, and so on.
Also, and to our delight, we have been overwhelmed by people contacting us from all around the world.
There’s lots to tell. If you are interested, have ideas, resources or skills to offer please do not hesitate to get in touch via our Contact page.
We look forward to making your acquaintance!