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LORD’S INNINGS RATED A GOOD OUTING!
The visit took place, as planned, and in beautiful sunshine. Some 29 Old Faradians and guests arrived to enjoy their coffee at 10.45. Unfortunately no biscuits, this time!
We duly set off on the tour at 11.15 our guide taking us to a small screening room at the rear of the museum. There he told us how Thomas Lord had been asked, in 1787, to find a suitable field to play cricket not too far from London. He did this having found a site at Marylebone (hence the Marylebone Cricket Club or MCC). Because it was just north of Baker Street he received an offer to purchase the site after a few years. He moved out a bit further and, in 1814, found a field which is now the site of Lord's cricket ground.
After the talk we walked round the museum and saw the Ashes in the small pottery container (another long story!). We saw paintings and photographs illustrating cricket's history. Pictures (and a bust) of WG Grace a whole section devoted to Brian Lara. There were even recordings of the crowd at various matches. We then moved to the main pavilion and saw the home members changing room. We walked in the Long Room and the Long Bar behind. We saw the doors that the batsman use to leave the Long Room (and to return after their innings.) We also saw the Honours Boards where the England players are listed.
After this we went round part of the grandstand and had a good look at the "hallowed turf". Some £1.25M has been spent on improving the drainage. The turf was originally laid on London clay and over the years players and the grounds man's machine have compacted it. The new turf has drains under it, followed by gravel and then a good loam. When you think that £1M is taken for each match, the money invested in the turf was not excessive.
We then went to the futuristic Media Centre. This is supported on two columns each with a spiral staircase and lift. There are rows of desks all equipped with mains sockets so that reporters can write their stories. There is an excellent view of the grounds. Upstairs, in soundproof rooms are the TV and sound commentators.
We were quite tired by this time so it was back to the Lord's Tavern for a lunch of steak and kidney pie followed by chocolate mousse and coffee. We did not see the Real Tennis Court as there was an international match being played there.
It was a very good day, everyone enjoyed it. All praise to our President Chris Parker for arranging it. It was a pity that more members didn't come.
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