Stamps are timely boost for Gravity Fields Festival

A new set of Royal Mail stamps has posted a timely boost for September’s Gravity Fields Festival.

The festival’s theme of Voyages of Discovery was inspired by HMS Endeavour, whose historic journey with Captain Cook 250 years ago is commemorated in a new set of stamps on sale this week.

It’s also the theme for the free Saturday evening spectacular in Grantham town centre, with a carnival ship ‘sailing’ up the High Street and a Garden of Light on St Peter’s Hill recreating the plants and discoveries from the New World.

A fire sculpture outside St Wulfram’s Church on Saturday evening even recreates the Transit of Venus across the sun, observed during the expedition by Cook and his crew, which included Lincolnshire naturalist and botanist Sir Joseph Banks.

Councillor Matthew Lee, leader of SKDC whose portfolio includes arts and culture, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to theme the festival around such an important voyage. It promises to make Saturday evening a truly unforgettable experience in Grantham.

“The stories behind these new stamps illustrate just what a fascinating event we can look forward to.”

A series of botanical science talks linked to Banks’ discoveries and legacy runs throughout the festival (September 26 to 30), the fourth to be supported by South Kesteven District Council to recognise Banks’ fellow scientist Sir Isaac Newton’s local heritage.

Banks-themed talks and events include an exhibition to inspire a new generation of botanists, plant hunter Tom Hart Dyke’s tale of his kidnap in a Columbian jungle and a range of talks on the voyage and its discoveries.

The set of 10 stamps, whose special edition packs are now on sale, carry an image of Banks, one of 100 men on board for what the Royal Mail describes as ‘one of the greatest voyages of discovery of all time.’ They can be purchased from Post Offices and www.royalmail.com/captaincook