THE 400th anniversary of the Mayflower has been celebrated in Worcester Cathedral.

The event, on Tuesday November 19, involved hundreds of children from schools across Worcestershire.

They met for a choral concert at Worcester Cathedral, to celebrate the launch of a year-long series of events leading up to the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage in 1620.

The Pilgrim voyage from the UK to the ‘New World’ of America was an epic historical journey, inspired by an unquenchable desire for freedom.

King’s Worcester has a special interest in the celebrations due to the fact that one of the leaders of the Pilgrims, Edward Winslow, was a scholar at the school. He also lived near Kempsey.

The music for the concert, which tells the story of Edward Winslow, has been written by former King’s Music Assistant, Piers Connor Kennedy. The event forms part of a world class cultural programme, "which will unite communities, inspire creativity, drive economic growth and promote understanding of the important historical events".

The Director of Music at King’s Worcester, Simon Taranczuk, has been travelling around the eight schools which are involved, teaching the songs and rehearsing since September.

He said: “It is wonderful to have received such overwhelming support from our local primary schools in bringing the community together to celebrate this important occasion. The Mayflower Voyage is such an important historical event and I am delighted to be involved in spreading awareness of it."

There were over 300 children involved in the concert from St George’s C of E Primary, St Clement’s Primary, Cutnall Green Primary, St Barnabas Primary, The Elms, Colwall, King’s St Alban’s and King’s.