A replica of John Cabot's ship 'The Matthew' sails off the coast of Newfoundland, July 1997. (Scene from Canada: A People's History) England was attempting to keep up with the Spaniards who had ...

John Cabot left Bristol in 1497 and landed 3,000 miles later in what is now North America Volunteers on the ship The Matthew of Bristol have been honoured with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.