A cake for Spilsby's 'special son': Sir Michael Palin joins celebration of town's famous explorer Sir John Franklin

Even famous explorers deserve a birthday cake - and that is exactly what a bakery in Spilsby agreed.
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Shoppers at the Monday market got a glimpse of the creation honouring Sir John Franklin, who was born on April 16, 1786.

With the recent showing of ‘The Terror’ on the BBC the story of Franklin has become increasingly popular and Spilsby Town Council decided it was time to make sure he is celebrated each year.

And now Sir Michael Palin has sent his good wishes to the town in a video after discovering the explorer while writing his book, Erebus: The story of a Ship.

Cooplands manager Cheryl Manning  with the cake baked  to celebrate  the birthday of local explorer Sir John Franklin.Cooplands manager Cheryl Manning  with the cake baked  to celebrate  the birthday of local explorer Sir John Franklin.
Cooplands manager Cheryl Manning with the cake baked to celebrate the birthday of local explorer Sir John Franklin.

Franklin Week started on Franklin’s birthday on Friday, April 16, and will run to St George’s Day on Friday, April 23.

The town centre, where there stands a statue of the explorer, has been decorated with banners and some new flags of Sir John Franklin, which are flying alongside Lincolnshire and Union Flags.

For the duration of the event, there is playing on the high street, including sea shanties. In the evenings, visitors will see an artwork projection of Franklin’s story entitled “Benedicite”.

The cake can be seen in the window of Cooplands bakery in the High Street.

Spilsby is celebrating the birthday of its famous explorer Sir John Franklin.Spilsby is celebrating the birthday of its famous explorer Sir John Franklin.
Spilsby is celebrating the birthday of its famous explorer Sir John Franklin.

"We were invited to take part in the celebration as the bakery is where Franklin was born," explained manager Cheryl Manning.

"There is a plaque to him on the wall outside and the passageway next to us is named after him.

"We thought the best way we could celebrate Franklin's birthday was with a cake.

"It will be on display until the end of the celebration and then we will share it with the businesses who have recently reopened for their support."

Flags are flying in Spilsby to celebrate the birthday of explorer Sir John Franklin.Flags are flying in Spilsby to celebrate the birthday of explorer Sir John Franklin.
Flags are flying in Spilsby to celebrate the birthday of explorer Sir John Franklin.

In his video, Sir Michael told the community of Spilsby: "What a man to celebrate! I got to know him whilst researching my book.

He came across as a nice man with an adventurous spirit. He was a remarkable man, with a remarkable career and way of inspiring people.

"I hope you will pull together this week to celebrate the great son of Spilsby."

Franklin was a decorated British Navy Officer and Arctic explorer, who also served as Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania).

His last voyage set sail May 1845 when two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, sailed from Britain to what is now Nunavut in Northern Canada.

Explorations of the Arctic coastline had led to great optimism that finding and charting the final part of the North-West Passage – the seaway linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans – was now within reach.

John Franklin, who had made two previous attempts to find it, was keen to claim the prize.

However the voyage ended in tragedy. In late July, the two ships were seen by a whaler in Baffin Bay, waiting for ice to clear in Lancaster Sound and to begin their journey to the Bering Strait.

It was the last time any of the 129 crewmen were ever seen alive.

* Spilsby Market is held in Market Place Car Park and Buttercross Car Park every Monday from 9am to 4pm, excluding Bank Holidays.The auction will be returning later in the year.

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