202AA. Former Jeld Wen Factory - Waveney Drive, Lowestoft, Suffolk Situated within the factory complex are several notable lighting installations, which appear to have survived remarkably well, considering that the factory closed in 2010, and that the buildings have been subjected to numerous accounts of vandalism, arson and demolition (in places) since then.
Peering through the factory's former entrance gates, two post-top lanterns are seen attached to unknown concrete columns in amongst the derelict structures. These are likely to date from the factory's opening in 1962 (beginning life in the ownership of Boulton & Paul, followed by Lowe & Fletcher later). A wall-mounted Thorn Precinct is visible in the foreground - I am surprised that this is not in worse condition, considering that the window below it shows signs of fire damage.
Zooming in on the closer of the two post-top lanterns suggests that they could be Falks 'Beaufort' products, but fitted with flat polycarbonate panels as an aftermarket alteration, which changes their appearance dramatically. As can be seen, whatever lamp is fitted within the lantern has become so hot that each of the panels has been damaged rather significantly.
This example is to be found on the other side of the view from the gate.
Several Atlas / Thorn Alpha 7s are on wall brackets that protrude through asbestos sheeting in some of the vast outdoor storage areas.
This example has the lamp control gear situated remotely (assuming that it runs a 250 - 400 Watt MBF (mercury vapour) lamp, that is.
More wrecked buildings serve as a backdrop to these three examples.
With Lowestoft being the UK's most easterly settlement, its proximity to the North Sea has meant that the Alpha 7s' aluminium canopies show signs of corrosion.
The bowl is missing from this lantern, but the lamp is intact.
Two gear-in-head examples are situated on the other side of the newly-built Colin Law Way, which was constructed through another of the outdoor storage areas.
The difference in length between these lanterns and the remotely-geared types is obvious.
Also attached to the buildings are a high number of lanterns from Holophane's '310' series.
The lanterns are mounted to short outreach side-entry brackets with triangular base plates, which, in turn, attach to the buildings using a piece of board to spread the load.
This example is situated below a 'slightly' blocked gutter system.
Although similar to the Difractor lantern from GEC's 'Clearmain' product line, the 310 has a more conical canopy, as well as a bowl retaining ring that is secured with a wing nut.
This example was positioned alongside a vintage 'Sprinkler Stop Valve' location sign - given the continued arson attacks on the old buildings, the sprinkler system is needed now more than ever!
Other signage may have existed near this lantern, given the clean appearance of a small portion of the asbestos cement, in comparison to the rest of the sheeting.
This 310, facing Waveney Drive itself, was the only one to be spotted with a broken bowl. As with the Alpha 7, remarkably, the lamp has been left alone.
The glass is of quite substantial thickness, and must have taken some force to break.
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