Overview
- The service at St Mary's Church in Barnsley drew figures such as Sir Geoffrey Boycott, Michael Vaughan, Colin Graves and Martyn Moxon, followed by a private cremation and a wake at the town hall.
- Boycott delivered a eulogy, calling Bird “the best umpire in the world,” with readings including a poem by local writer Ian McMillan.
- The cortege paused at Bird’s town-centre statue, and his coffin bore his white flat cap with a floral bat and ball, entering to Elgar’s Nimrod and departing to My Way.
- Bird officiated from 1973 to 1996 in 66 Tests and numerous one-day internationals, including three World Cup finals, after a playing career with Yorkshire and Leicestershire.
- Donations from the funeral will support the Dickie Bird Foundation, HOPE South Yorkshire and Barnsley Hospital’s special baby care unit, reflecting a philanthropy that funded facilities at Headingley and grants to almost 1,000 youngsters, including Harry Brook.