Hey, its just said on the radio that they are gonna get rid of the clock in the Arndale (which does not open anymore!) and replace with tables and chairs for an open style cafe. Nice one! I never did like the clock, it even scared me!!! The "Father Time" clock was designed by Andy Plant, after he won BB2's "Great Egg Race" in 1986. The sculpture centres around a globe made from a welded steel frame covered with a beaten aluminium skin, the land masses standing out in relief. On the top of the world sits a sleeping Father Time on a bicycle. Approaching the quarter hour, a little schoolboy slowly creeps (er, crept, past tense!!) out from the top of the world, aiming to swipe Father Time's alarm clock. But the old man stirs and the schoolboy retreats (BET YOU NEVER KNEW THAT, EH?). Then, on the hour, Father Time wakes to his ringing alarm, and sets off on his bike. As he begins, he rises up into the Arndale Centre's feature dome on a cloud followed by two flying cherubs. At the same time, the world begins to spin and opens to reveal a fun band playing "Rock Around the Clock" on drums, accordion, maraccas and tambourine (FUN BAND!! It used to scare the daylights out of me!!!) The performance over, the world closes and Father Time returns to the top of the globe and his slumbers.
See, I am full of useless information!
