My whole world turned upside down at the beginning of 2021. I lost not only my mentor, guiding light and, importantly, my father– but a genuine hero who touched many people’s lives, and not just my own.
Fast-forward to the end of an extremely turbulent year at a meeting with James Cameron, Founder of Mission Motorsport, and the topic of conversation led to Race of Remembrance – the annual Thruxton 12-hour endurance race that takes place over November’s remembrance weekend. James showed me the unique and beautiful Race of Remembrance trophy… and about a million things fell into place in one go…
Doing what I do best, I began asking James countless questions about the trophy – which was created using reclaimed metal and timber, all by hand by former RAF chinook technician, Jack Taylor, who was also experiencing an extremely difficult year. He was creating each individual trophy in the form of a metal poppy, held high by a chain unearthed from war-struck fields, which made the sentiment behind them even more poetic.
I was in awe of this – and I knew I wanted this for my own statue of remembrance for my father. It encompasses everything he would have loved; sourcing the raw materials, the building, welding, perfecting… and ultimately this is what I went on to ask Jack for… with a few additional pieces to really represent my father, or how everybody knew him – Bunny.
Jack and I arranged to meet, and he understood the assignment from the get-go. Over the months of creating his masterpiece, he would send updates, pictures, videos; showing the stages of the three poppies being built (one each to represent my father, mother and I). He also listened intently to what I wanted to be used to bring Bunny to life… and we met several times so that I could provide him with my father’s badges and trinkets he has collected over the years to add to the piece.
Each and every time, Jack would ask more questions about Bunny – and really got to understand his story. Upon delivering the completed piece – it was clear that Jack was really attached to “Bunny”. They had made a connection on some level… and I know, on this earth, they would have genuinely had an incredible friendship. Generational gaps would simply not exist for the two of them… and I’m sure their stories would have traversed a multitude of dates and times.
In Jack’s very own words when I asked him about creating the piece, he said: “I was very hesitant to take on the piece in the beginning. The responsibility didn’t go unnoticed by me. As it all came together, it started to grow a personality of its own – and I found myself bargaining with Bunny when the piece wouldn’t cooperate, or metal wouldn’t do as I wished.
“I am always reluctant to hand a piece over – even more so with memorial work. But leaving Bunny behind was the worst one yet. I grew so attached to not only the piece, but with Bunny the person. I felt he had become a mate. Learning about him and his habits, loves and history… it was difficult to leave behind. I hope Bunny approves, it was such a fun and emotional project. I hope I did you justice, Bunny – it was a true honour to have had this opportunity. I feel like you and I would have really gotten along.”
The reason I am writing this is because it is just the smallest token of my appreciation for what Jack has created for my mother and me. He is an incredibly talented individual – humble, creative, fiercely caring – and I honestly can’t thank him enough for what he has done for us.
Jack really has brought “Bunny” to life – and has fondly named his masterpiece in his honour. I know he’s not really one for the limelight – but I wanted to bring him into it, in some form…
Following his amazing work, Jack is also getting stuck into another project – this time for Ennis & Co – relating to a project we are set to launch very soon in the arena of skills. It seemed the perfect way to do so… and I am excited to share this very soon.
