THE flags will be flying and cheers will be heard across the town as Tavistock's Beijing Olympics silver medallist Heather Fell arrives in Bedford Square by horse-drawn carriage for a civic reception on September 11.
Modern pentathlete Heather will be welcomed by local dignitaries at the town hall following her journey, which starts at Dolvin Road at 1pm and heads down the Plymouth Road around Drake's Statue and back to the Square.
Mayors of West Devon Borough Council and Tavistock Town Council Terry Pearce and Robin Pike, and the chairman of Plasterdown Grouped Parish Council Ian Walton, will receive the Merrivale sportswoman at around 1.30pm. She will be presented with a specially designed certificate before moving into the town hall for a reception which will be attended by invited guests.
It is hoped schoolchildren and residents will be able to line the route to watch Heather arrive and the presentation take place.
Acting headteacher at Tavistock Primary School Judith Pearce said the children would love to be be involved in the day: 'It is absolutely wonderful - Heather is an inspiration and as a school we are really into celebrating sporting achievement.
Heather, who told the Times last week that the experience of taking part in the games and winning a medal was 'hugely exciting', has been inundated with press and TV interest since her return from Beijing .
She said life had been 'completely manic' with lots of interviews and appearing at local events like the Holsworthy Show where she was asked to compete.
However, she said the reception in Tavistock would be really special.
'It is a huge honour and I am really looking forward to it,' she said.
'Tavistock is where I am from and where I did my training and the support from Tavistock has got me where I am today.
'It means a lot to me and it will be great to meet the people who supported me and show my appreciation.'
Mayor of West Devon Terry Pearce said: 'It really is wonderful what Heather has achieved in such a gruelling sport. The immense commitment shown by her in combining work and training prior to obtaining funding from UK Sport, is a lesson to everyone about dedication.
'The civic reception being held for her is a recognition of this and her achievement.'