Still no build, just a name change.
UPDATE: I’ve added a comment received after this was first posted.
Sorry for the lack of updates here, but I started this blog to follow a ship build, which unfortunately came to nothing. I didn’t create it to follow a rail “museum”, which is currently what the Harwich mayflower Heritage Centre/Project are promoting.
So as the ship build is dead in the water and there is no progress at all with any kind of a build, I’ve had nothing to update. The only thing I can pass on (apart from the usual directors coming and going) is that there has been a name change. The Harwich Mayflower Project has become Harwich Mayflower Heritage Projects LTD.
As far as the Charity goes, it seems from the pic below (of a charity name check) that the Mayflower Project which was registered as the Charity arm of the project is now renamed asThe Harwich Mayflower Heritage centre. Pic from. Charitycommission.gov.uk
So it would seem the debacle that was the Mayflower Project has finally been laid to rest. R.I.P Harwich Mayflower Project.
********COMMENT********
Therefore, as this is now a limited company and not a charity – all donations, including those given by visiting North American tourists MUST be returned to them, as it was taken on the premise that a ship was to be built. This does not look good for the town and all the hard work that will be done regarding the 400th anniversary in 2020. My book “The Mayflower of Harwich” which is on sale with Amazon, praises the hard work that was being done when I wrote it, regarding Harwich rising from the ashes to celebrate the 400th anniversary by building a replica of the most famous ship that ever sailed. I am now very much embarassed about writing it !!
Paul Simmons
NB. if you want to read Paul’s book, it’s available on Amazon UK and Amazon USA
The Ship's Blog: Following The Harwich Mayflower Project/ Heritage Centre/Harwich Cultural & Community Projects. 
Therefore, as this is now a limited company and not a charity – all donations, including those given by visiting North American tourists MUST be returned to them, as it was taken on the premise that a ship was to be built. This does not look good for the town and all the hard work that will be done regarding the 400th anniversary in 2020. My book “The Mayflower of Harwich” which is on sale with Amazon, praises the hard work that was being done when I wrote it, regarding Harwich rising from the ashes to celebrate the 400th anniversary by building a replica of the most famous ship that ever sailed. I am now very much embarassed about writing it !!
Paul Simmons
Not to pour salt in the wound, Paul, but the reality is that HMP was set up to be looted. James’s writing here down the years is a sad record of a beautiful idea gone bad.
I don’t think you are correct about the HMP being set up to be looted – I Personally know Tom Daly and a few of the original trustees as I was a volunteer practically from the beginning, back in the days when we had regular meetings in the dental practice waiting room. I can assure you that we all were very dedicated in getting the Mayflower built and if the old co-op building in Kingsway had been not so dilapidated and more cost effective, the Mayflower Project flag would have flown there and the pub restaurant never built.
Yes, over the years some strange and very secretive, behind closed doors decisions were made, most of which were contra to normal charity status organisational goings on, but my honest opinion is that in the beginning, especially regarding Tom, who instigated the project is concerned, everything was correct and above board.
I accept that by saying “Set up to be looted” I gave the impression it was set up from the outset. I have always spoken for Tom Daly and the integrity of his vision, and made reference to that vision being hijacked by local wide boys. I meant that the HMP was set up, indeed set upon by, to name two, Sean Day and Graham Richardson. Tom Daly was turned over and thrown under the bus. The reality is that the crooks saw the opportunity to set up a training scam. A nationwide scourge. In this case Government funding (£800 per trainee) was targeted. Charity Commission tell me that they’re funding has been cut and they can only proceed if presented with incriminating documents. Anybody?
We have to accept that TDC must have been, if not complicit, then certainly turning blind eyes to what was going on. That is par for the course, it’s the free lunch culture, locally and nationally that we are stuck with. Making bold statements while pointing at potholes is the best we can expect from our representative.
We should be worrying about what is going to happen to the three rotting sticks poking up in the yard.The “build”. Silent witness to the theft of a beautiful idea. We don’t want to wake up and find empty space, the Harwich Mayflower Project reduced to firewood. A plaque should be erected for 2020 – “We didn’t see this coming until it was too late”.
Scathing words, which should end there I think, as although correct maybe, you are in danger of legal retaliation.
With regard to how best to go forward and considering the space and wonderfully painted scenes that surround it, the Town could convert it into the Mayflower children’s play area. For 2020 it could accommodate events, and become a legacy feature, turning negative thoughts and actions into positive and creative memories to the children of Harwich.
Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, I for one would love to see a plaque places at the entrance to the site, telling all that Tom Daly’s original dream made all within possible.
Paul Simmons
Hi I don’t know if you already knew this but the Mayflower project had all the special wood cutting tools for sale on Gumtree a while ago. So it doesn’t take a expert to see what is going on. Also they had a video showing people building/working on the hull of the project but it was CGI to trick more people into giving money.