I went to Reading Museum at the weekend. It’s all right! It has a full-size copy of the Bayeux Tapestry, made in 1885 by just 35 women. Their names are by their work and everything. It’s quite good.

More topically, it has a temporary sporting exhibition running at the moment entitled Bikes, Balls & Biscuitmen – Our Sporting Life. I was pleased to see amongst the exhibits a panel about the late Richard Burns, the 2001 World Rally Champion, who was from Reading.

But on reflection, it’s a shame that there isn’t more about England’s first and only World Rally Champion. Admittedly rallying isn’t the biggest sport in this country – especially with TV coverage as it is these days – but it’s not as if Reading has a surfeit of world champions from other disciplines. A single poster-sized display on Burns seems too little.

To be fair, Reading does continue to celebrate the life and achievements of Burns. The main Reading Sports Personality of the Year award was renamed the Richard Burns Memorial Trophy after his death, and Burns was once again remembered at this year’s ceremony.

That’s not terribly public though. It’s a bit sad that there isn’t – as far as I can tell – a permanent physical memorial to Burns in Reading.

On the subject of which: I had no idea until Becs Williams tweeted about it recently, that there’s a memorial to Michael Park – AKA Beef – in Estonia, such is the regard for him there as co-driver for Markko Martin.

It’s quite beautiful, and a definite example of how to do it.

Photo Credits
Burns/Reid Subaru: Supermac1961 – Flickr – Some rights reserved
Michael Park Memorial: rudi-k – Flickr – Some rights reserved