AN ‘overwhelming’ response was received to a petition to prevent Drake’s Drum from leaving Buckland Abbey with more than 1,000 people giving their signatures.

Over 1,100 people signed the petition which was launched after a proposal to move Drake’s Drum from its current home at Buckland Abbey to The Box, Plymouth’s redeveloped museum, opening in 2020.

The petition was launched by local resident Mary Traynor, who felt the abbey was the ‘rightful home’ of the drum, a replica of the original, which is stored in a climate controlled store in central England.

Mary was pleased with the ‘wonderful response’ to the petition and expressed thanks to everyone who signed.

She said: ‘Incredibly, over 1,100 like-minded people have signed the petition and the support and enthusiasm has been overwhelming. Immense thanks go to the 18 businesses, as well as Buckland Monachorum Art and Craft Exhibition, all of whom have willingly accommodated petitions, with a special mention to the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock who have had them in several areas of the hotel.

‘While the National Trust indicates that it may be intending to focus on promoting the aspect of the actual abbey, which was a monastery for over 250 years, that does not mean that the drum cannot still remain at the abbey. Buckland was Drake’s home and where the drum has a rightful place, indeed he was born at Crowndale, just a few miles from Buckland, and so his association with the area is well documented.

‘I would like to give my personal thanks to all those who have, of their own volition, offered help in ways large and small and to say that I could not have done it without you.’

The petition has now been sent to the National Trust with notification to Plymouth City Council.

Mary added: ‘The campaign will continue with the intention of pursuing a change of heart and for the status quo to be maintained for the benefit of local people and visitors alike.’