The Father Time at Lord’s has completed 100 years. This iconic weathervane is overlooking cricket’s home and MCC celebrated 100 years of one of cricket’s most enduring symbols. It was placed above Lord’s in 1926 and since then it has been recognized as one of the Ground’s most recognizable guardians, silently watching every over, every Test, and every moment of history.
Who got it made: In fact, this weathervane was gifted by Sir Herbert Baker, architect of the second Grand Stand at Lord’s, to MCC, after its completion in 1926. It was then placed above this Grand Stand. Many cricket historians believe that this was given as a part of an apology because the work on the Grand Stand was over running.
Where it is located now: Sir Herbert Baker’s Grand Stand was demolished and in 1996 it was replaced by a new Grand Stand. At that time, the weather vane, as well as the scorers’ box, moved to its current location on the opposite side of the ground i.e. above the lift shaft between the Mound and Tavern stands. There is a clock there too, which makes it a highly practical corner of the ground, telling spectators, the time, wind direction, and score.
What this figure shows: It depicts the mythical Father Time, compared by many to the Roman God Janus, symbolizing the passage of time. In cricket, it’s one of the undecided debates as to what this figure is showing? The design shows his right hand holding a bail next to the stumps, causing the debate about whether Father Time is placing the bail on the stumps to start the day, or taking it off to call time.
Diana Rait Kerr, MCC’s first Curator, is of the opinion that he is removing the bails, citing Law 12.3 of the Laws of Cricket: ‘After the call of Time, the bails shall be removed from both wickets.’ Many cricket historians go with the more optimistic interpretation that the day’s cricket is about to begin.
Make of the figure: Standing around 6ft 6in tall, the figure itself measures roughly 5ft 4in. Father Time is cast in iron, painted black, and gilded on the wind arrow tip and the end of his scythe.
Mishaps for a 100-year journey: It has also faced ups and downs.
1. During the Second World War, a drifting barrage balloon tore him from the Grand Stand roof. He was then kept in the Committee Room during the war years.
2. In 1992, lightning struck the weathervane, damaging it’s one hand, which required repair. This has remained its first and only trip away from Lord’s.
3. Heavy winds in 2015 damaged it once again. It was removed from its place for two months, for specialist conservation work. In the meantime, a Test match was played between England and New Zealand, and this remains the only Test not witnessed by Father Time, having seen 112 in a row. Also, the weathervane was rebalanced to allow it to move with the wind more easily.
Special Celebration: In a unique gesture, MCC searched for the people who share their 100-year journey with Father Time and found Lt. Col. Anthony Collyns, an MCC Member based in Salisbury. He is a living link to the era Father Time has silently witnessed. MCC also honoured him for completing 100 years on April 28.
Mystery of date of installation of Father Time: Most of the cricket history books as well as documents available with MCC indicate that Father Time arrived at Lord’s in 1926, but before that year’s Ashes Test, played on June 26. However, the exact installation date always remained a mystery.
This year, when England play a Test against New Zealand in June, this shall be the 150th Test at Lord’s and Father Time has seen 132 Tests, missing just one. He has overlooked an ever-evolving Lord’s from each side of the wicket. Father Time has become one of the most recognizable images of Lord’s, but also the game more widely.