170CA. Evelyn Drive, Aylestone Park, Leicester With thanks to Dwight for informing me of these Survivors. Situated within the Faircharm Trading Estate (formerly, St Mary's Mills) are three particularly notable lanterns that survive alongside later wall-mounted GEC Z8600s / WRTL MRL 6s and various Urbis lanterns. These lanterns comprise a Thorn Beta 9, Atlas Alpha 3, and an unknown (but seemingly, rather elderly) top-entry lantern. As with the newer lanterns, these examples are all wall-mounted too.
The Beta 9 is located at the top of a short flight of steps leading to a single storey building that runs parallel with the River Soar.
Although the Beta 9 has its origins as an AEI product (specifically, the Dalby Side-Entry), I believe that it wasn't until Thorn took over production that the lantern gained an optional elongated shoe containing the lamp control gear for 80 - 125 Watt MBF (mercury vapour) lamps.
The Beta 9 appears to have become obsolete when the 8 Watt fluorescent bulkhead was installed in the doorway to this property.
The bowl features a continuous textured pattern over its full area.
The bowl has suffered slight damage, though considering its low mounting height, I am surprised that it hasn't been vandalised more extensively.
The Alpha 3 overlooks a small courtyard area near the end of the road.
The fact that the rear casting is right up against the wall suggests that the bracket outreach is minimal.
With the canopy having slight moss growths, and the bowl being rather grubby, as with its little brother, the Alpha 3 is unlikely to remain in operation any longer.
The little top-entry lantern is situated near the start of the estate, and is attached to the building occupied by LEF Circuits.
The lantern attaches to the wall using a plan bracket.
Two wing nuts hold the lower portion of the lantern in place, which would hinge down for maintenance.
The acorn-shaped glass bowl is surrounded by a white enamelled reflector.
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