Saturday (July 13) is a huge day for Donington as its most famous son comes home after more than 210 years.
The body of navigator and cartographer Captain Matthew Flinders will be re-interred in the village church St Mary and the Holy Rood as part of a day of events.
Flinders was born and grew up in the village before most notably leading the first inshore circumnavigation of Australia, a name he is credited as popularising.
After his death in 1810 he was buried at a graveyard near his London home.
The location though was forgotten until 2019 when those working on the HS2 rail link discovered his ornate coffin containing his remains.
The church service where he will be interred is by invite only and is set to include Captain Flinders’ ancestors and around 60 people travelling from Australia.
His hearse is set to be at the Station Street roundabout from 1.45pm and journey to Cowley Academy Sports Field on Quadring Road before arriving at Church Street around 2pm.
The coffin will be carried along there to be greeted by a Navy and Sea Cadet guard of honour.
The Navy will also carry out a firing salute at around 2.30pm to mark the start of the church service.
It’s all being live streamed online for guests who were unable to get a place in the church and also as part of a huge celebration for all the family in Flinders Park.
There will be fair rides, competitions, food and drink from 12pm with a children’s disco at 5pm.
Donington Library will also be hosting an exhibition on Flinders’ life.
The day will be rounded off with fireworks at 10.30pm.
There’s also a children’s concert on the Friday and a special holy communion on the Sunday.
Coun Jane King said: “We’re nearly there.
“It’s incredible how much hard work has gone into putting this together over the last five years.
“I can’t thank the volunteers and everyone who has helped us enough.
“The town is looking wonderful with plants Henry Bingham has helped provide and the team going around watering every day.
“Others have been hanging up the bunting and there’s another team doing such a good job up at the cemetery.
“Jane Pearson has pushed the work and her group has been excellent to work with.
“We’ve a good team of marshals and we’re all looking forward to the weekend now.”
