Matthew Flinders descendants join Donington residents for live link-up with Australia to celebrate his 250th birthday

Relatives of explorer Matthew Flinders joined residents of his home village and friends from across the globe to celebrate the 250th birthday of the man who was the first to circumnavigate Australia.

Susie Flinders-Beatty and Rachel Flinders-Lewis, who are direct descendants of legendary navigator, were part of a special live link-up with Australia from Donington Church Hall to mark this important milestone earlier today (Saturday, March 16).

Flinders was born on March 16, 1774, in Donington, and he will be returning 250 years later to spend eternity in St Mary and The Holy Rood Church. A three-day commemoration and celebration is planned in July when Flinders will be the first person in centuries to be buried within the confines of the church.

Members of the Flinders Return Project have worked hard since the explorer’s remains were uncovered as part of HS2 work to ensure that he would come home and to have a fitting reburial.

Rachel and Susie travelled up from their homes in the Brighton area to support this morning’s early call with Tasmania.

Susie said: “His re-burial was going to take place in July 2020 but it is more fitting to be able to do it this year which is the 250th anniversary of his birth. It is nice to be able to do some momentous.

“We are very grateful for the amount of work people have done to get ready for this event.”

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Her sister Rachel added: “It’s lovely that people can feel the excitement. We are really looking forward to coming back in July for the next celebration.”

Flinders, who joined the Royal Navy in 1789, undertook a number of voyages around Australia between 1795 and 1803 when he charted the coastline.

On his homeward voyage, Flinders was captured and held as a spy by the French for seven years during the Napoleonic Wars but he returned home in poor health and died shortly after in 1814.

Susie and Rachel, who have an enviable family tree which also contains Egyptologist Sir William Flinders Petrie, say it was important to keep the surname in the family to ensure that it did not disappear.

Susie said: “It is strange as Matthew has always been part of our lives. All the time growing up we have always known how important he was to some degree. Our mother was always very active in keeping the name alive. We were always coming here to Donington and Lincoln for events.”

Nearly 30 people went along to the Church Hall this morning to gather around a large screen to speak with Flinders enthusiasts in Tasmania – who were rounding off their day with cake and wine.

Bring Flinders Home committee member Jane Pearson shared with the Australian contingent what is planned during the three day commemorations in church and a village party in Flinders Park – complete with maggot racing.

Speaking after the link-up Jane said: “We have been delighted with the turn-out this morning. To start at 6am and have so many people is fantastic.

“Everyone who is on the committee is really playing their part.

“We have a new vicar who will be leading the service. We will have three services conducted by bishops. Donington has never had this before.

“A volunteer team led by John Scott are also undertaking work in the churchyard.”

During the celebration this morning, committee members held the ballot for the limited number seats in the church – using a random number generator – for the re-burial service.