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Sporting hero goes on display at museum |
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News -
Local News
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Tuesday, 27 July 2010 12:03 |
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Visitors to Clifton Park Museum are being invited to “dive in” and catch a glimpse of the bust of one of Britain’s, and Rotherham’s, great unsung sportsmen.
Going on display for the first time in the twice-nominated "Museum of the Year", the bust is of Thomas William Burgess, who was the second man to swim the English Channel in September 1911.
The bust was on display in the old Sheffield Road swimming baths in Rotherham for many years and it was supposedly good luck to rub its nose.
Collections Officer for the Council, Karl Noble, said: "Burgess really is one of those sporting greats whose name has slipped from the record books somewhat, but, he was, without doubt, one of our local greats and we're glad to be
able to celebrate him as such.
"He managed to cross the channel, which was an even more massive feat those days than it is now, at the sixteenth attempt. Maybe he rubbed his nose on that sixteenth time and that's where the legend came from."
The bust is part of a display of Rotherham Sporting Greats, which includes four Olympic and Paralympic athletes, Paul Goodison, Peter Elliott, Kevin Hayes and cyclist Ben Swift.
It is part of the museum's new semi-permanent displays and will be viewable on the run up to the 2012 Olympics.
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