Kingswood Precinct

Lantern acquired in December 2007.

Thanks to George Mela for identifying this lantern. This Heritage-style post-top fitting is unused but was one of twelve which were ordered for a job at a stately home near Lichfield, along with twelve 4 m Kingswood 'Metro' columns. Only nine of the lanterns/columns were installed in the end - leaving the remaining three in storage until new owners moved into the house and auctions were drawn up to sell off the contents. Whilst the columns disappeared, the three unused lanterns returned to Jeremy, who had been largely responsible for the nine lanterns being installed and maintained over the years.

The 'strange' 35 Watt size came about on his suggestion - the specification called for SON specifically for the warm golden colour and to match existing floodlighting around the house, gardens and lake. An initial trial column used a 50 Watt SON in a round lantern but this proved too bright, so he suggested 35 Watt (the original owners didn't know that SON lamps were available in wattages lower than 50 Watt!) and Kingswood made up the first two of these lanterns, which proved successful. Consequently they supplied ten more (all complete with 'Metro' columns, etc.) - but Jeremy had to supply the lamps of course!

Several examples of this type of lantern can be seen in Derby's Arboretum; however, these are fitted with 70 Watt SON or 125 Watt MBF lamps and the gear is arranged differently. A 110 Watt SON (i.e. also running on 125 Watt gear) example can be seen on the top of the plinth in the adjacent Arboretum Square - this originally held a gas lantern until the 1930s, when a Revo 'Spondon' was fitted. This lasted until the 1970s, when a Phosco P111 was used.