170AB. Off Church Hill, Birstall, Leicestershire Situated within the grounds of the church of St James the Great are two 15 ft (5 m) aluminium AEI 'Leader' columns topped with 'Ashby' lanterns - the manufacture of both products was continued after AEI's product range became absorbed by Thorn Lighting in 1967, although the lantern was renamed the Gamma 8 at this time. With the church having undergone remodelling and an extension in 1962, these installations are likely to date from the same time, and thus, would be branded as AEI products, rather than Atlas or Thorn. With AEI's Melton Road factory being only a short distance away from Birstall, the use of their lighting products here is unsurprising.
The first of the two columns is located a short distance into the churchyard from Church Hill itself.
The lanterns feature the distinctive triangular spigots that match the profiles of the Leader columns.
What appears to be a small outdoor hand switch is positioned on the column base.
The second column is positioned further towards the buildings.
Both lanterns feature translucent acrylic bowls.
This column's base did not have its own hand switch fitted; therefore, the other column's switch may operate this one too.
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