COUNTDOWN TO...

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2028 will mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of John Bunyan and the 350th anniversary of his most widely known publication, The Pilgrim’s Progress. We are hoping that this will be a major event in the life of Bunyan’s hometown of Bedford, and around the world. After all, The Pilgrim’s Progress was translated into over 250 different languages and dialects, and new versions are still coming out today.

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John Bunyan was born in Elstow, just outside Bedford. He worked as a tinker, making and mending pots and pans, ploughs and implements, in the surrounding area. You can still see the anvil that he carried around with him, in the John Bunyan Museum, attached to Bunyan Meeting Church in Mill Street.

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He started writing The Pilgrim’s Progress while he was in prison for his beliefs. It is a story about someone who sets out on a journey of discovery. Along the way, he meets people who help and guide him, but also some who deceive him, or treat him cruelly. He overcomes many trials in this mix of adventure story and journey of faith.

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Why does something that happened 400 years ago matter to us today? Because many of the themes of John Bunyan’s life are just as relevant today. We are still concerned about freedom of speech, political imprisonment, the place of faith in life, and the power of education and literacy in a world where it is often denied through censorship or persecution.

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And the 350-year-old The Pilgrim’s Progress is still read and loved very widely. We know that because of the thousands of visitors who come to visit from all over the world.

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The anniversary may be four years away, but we are already being approached by local, national and international communities. In October, we are going to make a presentation to Bedford’s community leaders. We have had an amazingly enthusiastic response. Lots of people and organizations are keen to be involved.

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Ideas include Theatre and musical performances, a book festival, an international conference, exploration of John Bunyan’s Christian faith, reading and hearing in diverse communities, publication, AND MORE!!

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If you or your organization would like to know more, are interested in sharing in the anniversary, or already have plans to which we or others might be able to contribute . . .

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Visit www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk/museum and follow the countdown clock, or email Janet Wootton (chair of the Anniversary Steering Committee), revjwootton@btconnect.com