Announcements

Join us for cake and wine as we celebrate with our friends in Tasmania by live link.

Please take a couple of minutes to sign the petition to have Matthew Flinders' achievements to be recognised by the Royal Society

Your opportunity to join the MFBHH Group and Donington Parish Council to find out what events are lined up for the big weekend in July.

From our friend Tim Purcell. Unfortunately the feature film, Unchartered Waters, will not be ready for July, but there are still plans to be able to have the TV documentary series, 'An Adventurer Returns' completed by then with a big 'name' confirmed as Presenter. This will also be part of a campaign to have Matthew Flinders recognised by the Royal Society with a posthumous Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his scientific achievements with the support of many academics and organisations including the Royal Institute of Navigation, the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia and the Royal Society of South Australia. Follow the link to the Flinders teaser video - featuring Henry Esdon as Matthew Flinders - as he will be in the documentary.

A public meeting will share the plans in place to welcome home Donington’s most famous son

Proposals for a dramatic feature film about the famous explorer and a campaign to make him a posthumous Fellow of the Royal Society are in the pipeline.

The remains of a Lincolnshire explorer credited with naming Australia will be reburied in his home village in 2024. Saturday 13th July 2024 is the date set aside for the reburial, with a weekend from 12th to the 14th of activities to mark the special occasion.

Donington’s Bring Matthew Flinders home campaign wins £35,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Plans are now in preparation for the reinterment which is to be in the North Aisle of the Church - adjacent to the Flinders Stained Glass Window. The preparation work has already started following Church permissions. This involves an archaeological survey of this part of the church and to be present during the dig. The design and creation of an appropriate Ledger Stone for on top of the grave to provide an appropriate and permanent tribute to this great man is already underway, with the stone coming from Ireland to match other ledgers in the church.

Its been confirmed that Flinders' remains will be reinterred at St Mary and the Holy Rood Church in Donington. This has been agreed by Lincoln Cathedral and the Faculties. We are excited to plan for his return, with your help, and make the long weekend event in 2024 something Donington can be proud of. Watch this space for more details!