Umpiring legend Dickie goes up in world as statue gets lift

The 80-year-old umpire unveiled his life-sized bronze in its new elevated position yesterday after it was removed from next to St Mary’s Garden in Barnsley last weekend.

Its unannounced disappearance caused consternation in the town and Mr Bird and sculptor Graham Ibbeson fuelled the mystery by pretending to know nothing about it.

But Mr Ibbeson eventually had to come clean that it was in storage when rumours that it had been stolen reached police.

“It went over the top a little bit with the fuss,” said Bird, who said it now looked “far better” on the raised plinth, which is now nearly 6ft high.

The work was carried out after revellers took to leaving mementoes, including underwear, dangling off the statue’s outstretched finger – a gesture which indicates a batsman is out.

“People could climb on it quite easily and put their arms around me to give me a hug and try to give me sweets,” he said.

From its previous height, it also appeared to be making an “inappropriate” sign at passing traffic, Mr Ibbeson said.