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Howard's Way.... a weekly column from the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC. MP. 

8 January 2009

There are times when the present outlook is so depressing that it is tempting to find relief in the events and personalities of time gone by.

I yielded to this temptation just before Christmas when I attended an event at Westenhanger Castle to celebrate the fact that a replica of Discovery is to have its permanent resting place at the Castle.

Discovery was one of the three ships which sailed into Chesapeake Bay on 13 May 1607. This led to the establishment of the first permanent English-speaking settlement in the New World at Jamestown, Virginia.

The four hundredth anniversary of this event was widely celebrated in May 2007 culminating in the visit of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to Jamestown. I was privileged to serve on the British Committee which contributed to the preparation for these celebrations.

So I am delighted that it has now been decided that Discovery is to remain at Westenhanger.

There is a real connection between the castle and the voyage to Virginia. The primary founder of the expedition was Sir Thomas Smythe whose father, Thomas ‘Customer’ Sandgate had been granted Westenhanger for his service as the Queen’s collection of imports. His son, Sir Thomas, because Alderman and Sheriff of London and Ambassador to the Tsar of Russia.

So it is entirely appropriate that Discovery should be at Westenhanger and I hope many of you will visit it there.

When you see it you will, I am sure, be as amazed as I am that the men and boys aboard were able to cross the Atlantic in such a small and confined vessel.

Their achievements put our present vicissitudes in perspective.

Happy New Year to you all!