Norfolk Gardens, off Beech Drive, Darley Abbey, Derby Situated within the grounds of this small complex of flats are two 15 ft (5 m) tubular steel columns, both of which support lanterns from Falks' 'Beaufort' range. I visited these Survivors with fellow collector LeoLampposts, assuming that only one installation existed, in the communal car parking area; however, we then spoke to the site's caretaker, who informed us of a second installation around the front of the site, so naturally, that ended up being photographed too. The caretaker believed the installations to be original to when the flats were built - a plaque on the wall of the underpass near the second installation indicated that the site was opened in May 1969, which would be concurrent with the likely age of the installations.
The caretaker indicated that the car park lantern no longer worked, though as these lanterns were only designed for incandescent tungsten filament (GLS) lamps running directly off the mains supply, if the lamp itself is not the culprit, there could be a fault with the underground supply cabling.
As well as being the version of the Beaufort that features a full-length Perspex bowl, the lanterns are also equipped with prismatic glass refractor domes surrounding the lamps.
The support struts linking the base section to the canopy were quite heavily rusted.
Although ultraviolet degradation has caused the Perspex to become slightly translucent, the lamp fitted was a spiral-shaped compact fluorescent - this could well be the reason for the lantern's failure to operate any longer.
A slightly raised area opposite this column proved a useful vantage point for photographing the lantern.
The thumbscrew that secures the canopy to the rest of the lantern is visible here.
The second column is in much the same condition as the first is, though this lantern was still operational.
The paint applied to the column shaft here was peeling quite heavily.
Peering through the foliage allowed the column's square base to be seen.
The nearby plaque confirms the date that the complex opened - the 6th May 1969 by Derby's then-Mayor, Alderman Mrs E. Wood. The plaque also states that the development was by P.E.M. (Investments) Ltd, with the architects being Flanders & Variava A A.R.I.B.A, and F.W. Kinsey Ltd being the contractors.
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