Here is a riddle; what do the following have in common; perfect vision, a short form of cricket and the four-hundredth anniversary of the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers in the Mayflower?
Answer; 2020.

Yes, the year 2020 marks the quatercentenary of the Pilgrim Fathers’ arrival in the Mayflower at what is now Massachusetts, USA. On board that ship was their military leader, one Myles Standish whose new estate, which exists to this day, he named Duxbury.
Myles and members of his family are buried at Duxbury, Mass. and his name is famous in the United States. In his will he lists lands at Croston, Mawdesley and other local places. It is possible that he lived at least part of his life at Duxbury Hall in Chorley. Although we cannot prove beyond all doubt that our Duxbury is his birthplace, short of DNA sampling from his grave and from the crypt of St Laurence’s church, where it is believed members of his family are interred, it appears that he did at least have some links with this area. It was on this account that the new Westerly by-pass from the A6 to Eaves Green was named Myles Standish Way.
In 2020, celebrations will be held across the Atlantic and in various towns and cities in England from where known members of the Pilgrims originated. Chorley Heritage Centre Group believe that Myles’ links with Chorley merit some celebrations here, too. With that in mind a working party of Heritage Group members, augmented by representatives of St Laurence’s church, Chorley Council and experts in this aspect of Chorley’s history, is developing a programme of events for the spring and summer of 2020. It is hoped these will embrace concerts, dramatic presentations, a Duxbury, Mass versus Duxbury, Lancs golf tournament, a Myles Standish Trail and numerous other events..
To learn more about what is planned, and about Myles Standish himself, do look out for further updates on this site, or visit the excellent site created by local Myles Standish expert Tony Christopher, www.mylesstandish.info. By logging on to these sites, you will be assisting the project simply by showing your interest. To achieve all that the working group hopes to deliver, external funding will be needed and to obtain this the group needs to show sufficient public interest in the project.
Finally, if any residents of the borough can demonstrate ancestral connections with any of the Pilgrim Fathers, either on the Mayflower or its sister ship Speedwell, we would love to hear from them. Similarly, anyone with family or friends living near Duxbury or Plymouth, Massachusetts is encouraged to make contact through either of these two sites.