​MALCOLM Dolby, former Head of Antiquities at the Doncaster Museum, gave society members of the Louth Naturalists', Antiquarian and Literary Society a most interesting talk on The Path to the Mayflower: the English Origins 1558-1605. 

Through the reins of Elizabeth I and James I the Protestant Church of England became restrictive in many of its practices. 

People were fined for not going to church for instance and many dissident and puritan groups grew up. 

One group led by William Brewster was formed around the village of Scrooby in north Nottinghamshire. 

In 1607 they charted a Dutch ship to take them to Holland.

It anchored in Scotia Creek three miles south of Boston. 

But the captain betrayed them to the Boston authorities and they were imprisoned because unauthorised emigration was illegal. 

Released from prison they tried again the next year, this time from the Humber near Immingham.  But the Dutch boat sailed away leaving the women and children behind.  They had to follow the year after. 

Later, more emigrants sailed from Boston and later still, in 1620, the Mayflower sailed from Plymouth.

The society’s meeting on Tuesday will be the Ottaway lecture by Professor Mark Seaward of the University of Bradford.

The subject is Life after Death: Lichen Ecology of Lincolnshire Churchyards.

It will take place at the Conoco Room, Louth Library at 7.30pm. Admission is free for members and £3 for visitors.