Mike Lloyd writes:
"It was late in the year 1984 that I was 'resting' (unemployed and broke!) when a friend told me of the forthcoming 'Voyage of the Godspeed' re-enactment and suggested that I may be able to offer some assistance. I remember 2 interviews followed with John Mossesson (then owner of Otley Hall, former residence of Bartholomew Gosnold) and then a rather less formal chat (I'm sure it involved a couple of pints of local Abbot Ale) with Howard Hull the overall UK coordinator of the project. It was agreed that I would do my bit in East Anglia whilst Howard looked after the London events, sponsorship (mainly Willis Faber) etc. At that time I met up with Randall Bevan who was then Director of Recreation and Tourism (or something similar) at Ipswich Borough Council. Using his contacts and boundless enthusiasm and my sales and marketing expertise (plus a pretty neat line in begging!) we set about getting the show on the road.

In a fairly short time I managed to acquire a sponsored Mercedes G-Wagon form our local dealer, an office ( a portakabin with a dreadful gas heater that managed to produce seemingly gallons of condensation on a daily basis), a disused warehouse which was cleaned up and used for live performances and receptions, alcoholic beverages in some quantity (used of course only for formal receptions (?!)), merchandise was produced and franchised and all the myriad of items required to 'put on the show' were begged and borrowed from very generous local businesses and authorities.

Having been educated as a scientist my knowledge of Anglo-American history was limited to a bunch of idiots throwing tea bags at each other in Boston...Oh, and a bit about the Alamo (great movie!).. so I found I had to do a bit of work and reading just to find out what all the excitement was about.
Godspeed Mobile Unit
So, early in 1985 we had most of the infrastructure in place, all we needed was the star of the show and and a gang of reckless souls who apparently intended to sail this little vessel all the way back to America. One fine day I found myself meeting this aforesaid gang with support staff at Ipswich Station and transferring them to a house in Ipswich which had kindly been lent by Willis Faber. I remember meeting Neil Tanner the radio operator, Jack Greer the cook (whose ability to beg borrow and otherwise acquire provisions and stores left me as a rank amateur) Peter Meekins the sailing master (Peter and his wife Caddy have remained firm friends from that day forward). Last but by no means least I met up with Allan Libby who was doing my job (but better!)  on behalf of the American end of the project. We hit it off on day one and have also remained firm friends to this day.... still with threats of getting together again one day to relive the experience (with a small gin and tonic included). I remember many others but regret the effects of Anno Domini havetaken their toll on the old grey matter, so apologies to everyone else, they were all great fun to be with.
House in Ipswich
On a cold wet day in (sorry can't remember the date) we found ourselves on the dockside at Felixstowe  where a large container ship had arrived and nestling between thousands of large boxes was our baby, looking ridiculously small and obviously totally unable to sail to America! Unloading took place and she was finally popped into the water and with the help of local tugs was carefully taken round and moored in the old Felixstowe dock basin. There then ensued a ridiculously busy time as it seemed the whole world descended on the Godspeed to get her ready, rigged, provisioned, equipped etc.  She became a local star and with local media involved, offers of help came thick and fast.... any job that needed doing, someone could do..or knew someone that could. Great help was given by the Felixstowe Dock company and many of the staff became unpaid, unofficial helpers.
Mike Lloyd
Lots more work, lots of functions later we had the pleasure of sea trials, a few adjustments and then the time I had been building up to... her arrival in Ipswich wet dock where she was to be on show for a couple of weeks. A civic reception, a fly past, the crew all dressed up in their authentic costumes followed by live events in the warehouse, corporate events on board and in the Neptune Inn thousands and thousands of local visitors, informal gatherings in the Malt Kiln; Allan and I staffing the office all day and being involved in either work or entertainment every evening. Sleep was put on hold for a while!!

After a hugely successful period in Ipswich the next stop was a civic reception in Harwich (home I believe of Christopher Newport... historic knowledge beyond that...zilch!). As a thank you to me from the crew, my wife and children (then aged 11 and 9) were smuggled on board early on the day of departure and had the privilege of sailing the Godspeed down the River Orwell to Harwich for the reception there. I believe my son Rob took the helm for quite a way (being 9 he was able to see under the square sails quite happily so was ideal for the job!  Allegedly a speed in excess of 10 knots was achieved (maybe just hearsay!) on the way to Harwich. On arrival the town had turned out in numbers and the crew and local officials were paraded through the streets on way to the reception. Afterwards, my family and I made our way to the point where the River Orwell meets the North Sea as our 'baby' sailed past en route to London, taking with her my job, but leaving me memories of probably the happiest 6 months of my life. 

I only have limited knowledge of the London part of the programme as apart from a couple of visits I was busy
unwinding things in Ipswich. We did attend the departure on 30th April ( The Duke of Edinburgh came too!).... lots of sadness as she sailed off on her journey carrying my new friends into the wild blue yonder.... Godspeed!

   This site is still on the ways.

   If you were part of the crew, email to: wa4chq(at)netscape.net