Ahoy there!
Please feel free to come aboard the good ship ‘Mayflower’. Located on the first floor of the HQ building, this quirky new space can be booked on a first come first served basis FREE OF CHARGE by any of our Millfields Trust tenants for your meetings.
Be aware though, its not soundproof, so any creatures of the sea may hear your chatter.
“The art of the sailor is to leave nothing to chance” Annie Van De Wiele
Meet the Team Member Jason Who Re-Built The Mayflower
- What is your Role at the Millfields Trust?
I am the Maintenance Manager, overseeing maintenance on all Trust properties. This also includes overseeing health and safety as well as the cleaning team.
- What do you enjoy most about your work?
The variety of work and liaising with our tenants.
- Do you have any hobbies or interests?
Yes – Kayaking, running (when I feel like it), motorbiking and working on or camping in my campervan.
- What should we all be doing in 2022?
Keeping fit and looking at the positive in life.
- Work-life balance is essential, is it achievable?
Yes – make the most of your day. Watch less TV an get out!
- Can you share the worst or best advice you have ever received?
Don’t plan your life too much, it can change in a second and go in a completely different direction. Make the most of everyday as it may be your last!
- Where did the mayflower come from?
It came from The Box, it was part of the Mayflower 400 exhibition. The exhibition was originally a commemoration of the ship’s sailing from England to America and its often challenging legacy. It marked the 400th anniversary year from 2020 through 2021.
- Why did Millfields Trust decide to take the ship from the box?
The team thought it would a great idea to salvage the ship at the end of the exhibition, they thought it would make a great meeting space.
- Can you describe what the ship looks like?
The ship looks like the Mayflower, however it is made from a mixture of wooden materials.
- How long did it take to put it together and were there any instructions?
It took 8 months in total and it came with no instructions at all. It should have been around 4.5m tall originally, so we chopped every panel to fit in its new home in the HQ building. The ship arrived on two lorries, in pieces, in 1m sq blocks of wood, it was a giant puzzle. It took over a week just for us to work out which pieces went where on the boat.
- What was the biggest challenge you faced throughout the construction of the ship?
Doing the cladding on the inside; it was very tricky getting the panels to fit the ribs of the boat.
- What is your favourite part of the Mayflower?
The masts and the top deck are made from recycled pallets, and the seating was from the dockyard – they were originally the blocks that stop the boats moving. The Dockyard varnished them for us.
- What will the ship be used for now that you have finished building it?
It will be used as a quiet meeting space. You can fit up to 6 people in there comfortably; it’s very cosy and has lovely ambient lighting.
- Is there anything else you would like people to know?
If you have any exciting project ideas for the Millfields Trust buildings or gardens please email us the information.
- What is your next exciting project?
There are currently lots of DIY projects happening across all 4 sites, including energy efficiency changes.
I am also renovating my van and motorbike at home!