Metalwork features in Panels on Park Bandstand – An Explanation
The Voyage:
Flinders voyages to
Navigation:
Flinders was the master navigator and cartographer. The navigators tools shown here are the Sextant, Dividers and Compass. The geometry of the sextant is reflected in the park design. Flinders was responsible for modifying the design of the 18th century compass with the Flinders Bar – which countered the effect on the compass of metal in the ships construction. The Flinders Bar is still an important part of compass design although satellite navigation systems have largely replaced compass use in recent years.
A Banksia flower. Joseph Banks, another
The Southern Cross – the most readily identifiable constellation in the southern hemisphere sky and part of the Australian flag (as well as other Pacific countries). As a navigator Finders would have become familiar with the Australian night sky.
The hand – international symbol of friendship and one of the symbols of the Aboriginal reconciliation movement in
Donington:
In the 18th century Flax (Linseed) and Hemp were very important crops on the Lincolnshire Fens. Flax was grown for Linen production, oil and also rope. Hemp was grown to make coarse cloth (eg canvas) and rope. Donington was a centre for this industry and had an important flax and hemp market. Donington was also an important Horse market and at one time was one of the largest in
Flax Cutter: The top image is adapted from an illustration of the flax industry and is meant to depict an 18th century flax cutter. It could also represent all agricultural production in the locality.
The knot depicts hemp for rope production. With Flax and Hemp being grown locally for rope and canvas production the influence of
The horse and man depicts the Donington horse fair. As Flinders lived on the Market Place he would have been familiar with all the market activities.
Fun in the Park - Sunday June 8th 2008
For everyone that has put their time and effort into getting
Sunday June 8th proved to be a glorious sunny day, with light winds and temperatures at 25C, and the park was full. Seeing so many villagers in the park made it all come home. Cabbage Patch to Park in just over a year, yes we have more work to do but now our park can bring some joy to our village.
The idea of ‘Fun in the Park’ was to provide a fun day out for all the family and also bring together the various organisations in the village. To this end we had stalls manned by the WI, the Church, Brownies, Donington in Bloom, Flinders Founders and various other groups who all did a roaring trade. Of course a bouncy castle, ice cream van and a couple of very amusing clowns who entertained the children with a magic show and face painting made for an exceptional day. CS Racing provided a stand with their actual racing bikes for everyone to see and the opportunity to meet Christian himself. IDEA organised the event and also provided the refreshment facilities - we managed to sell over 200 burgers, 100 sausages and 300 cans of drink! The new bandstand played host to boy band ‘Story to Tell’ and the Thomas Cowley Academy Dancers provided good family entertainment. We had guests including John Hayes MP, and John Flinders (a descendent of Matthew Flinders), who kindly launched the balloon race. IDEA made a very small profit on the day and it will go towards providing the play equipment which should be available soon.
We believe that the Fun Day was a good launching pad for future activities and we look forward to seeing you all there again soon. The next planned event in the Park is September 20th.
Letter from John Hayes MP to Stephen Wright, Chairman of IDEA, for publication in the newsletter.
“Dear Stephen,
I was delighted to be able to officially open and join the celebrations in the opening of the new
The opening day for the new park was a great success and clearly enjoyed by all who attended and participated in the many activities and entertainments available on the day.
That Donington’s most famous son – Matthew Flinders – should be commemorated in a park that will provide a lasting legacy for the community is a particular joy. I am sure that people of all ages will enjoy this new and improved open space for many years to come.
My very best wishes to all my constituents in Donington.”
John Hayes MP
Just over a month ago I had a meeting with the Probation Community Payback Scheme manager. Nigel was very interested in placing a team to help keep the park tidy and to help with some major projects including painting the fences and keeping the weeds down.
So every Sunday morning you will find from five to twelve men and women in the park. Each week Jane comes along with her team to put some real effort into making the park a better place for us all. I have been there every Sunday morning to liaise with Jane and work out what we want done on that day. I was a sceptic at first on the value of this work, but have to say after the first Sunday it went away, these people actually enjoyed what they were doing and as they returned each week and could see their achievements I think they have started to understand the importance of their endeavors, and the esteem that we have for their work. Just picking up the litter each week makes a major difference for us and so far they have dug up fifty bags of weeds from around the park. This is ongoing and we hope that you will notice the difference. When you see in the papers about community payback you will understand what is meant by it and hopefully respect what they are doing for us. We treat them like valued workers and thank them after each day, they appreciate this and I believe it helps us get the most out of a valuable resource. Why not stop and have a chat if you are around the park when we are working. Oh and by the way they come from various towns in
Finally can I thank you all for making the Fun in the Park day a success, it was brilliant to see the park so full of people and all enjoying themselves.
Jim Panks
