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canterbury
Canterbury was the home of ESLA and many of the streets were lit by
their iconic mirrored lanterns. Most of these installations have now gone, but one or two Bi-Multi
reflectors can still be found dotted around the site.
I am indebted to Joyce Ainslie who took these pictures.
St Margaret's Street
This ESLA Bi-Multi Group AL is mounted on a simple bent piece of steel
conduit bolted to the wall - this adds height and little overhang. This was typical of the time.
A modern GLS lamp is fitted - it isn't known if it still works.
© Joyce Ainslie 2015
All Saints' Lane
This is the smaller ESLA Bi-Multi Group A and it's also mounted
on a simple bent piece of steel conduit. It is still fitted with a enamel plate which bares its number.
A modern CFL lamp is fitted which looks extremely ugly and probably does little for the light distribution.
© Joyce Ainslie 2015
Mercery Lane
This example shows how some of the small reflectors (in this case another ESLA Bi-Multi Group A)
were fitted inside more decorative lanterns. This example is so decorative that it's possible that it
was an older lantern and the Bi-Multi has been added to it. This antique still works but
has been fitted with an ugly CFL (which would be inefficient in this optical system).
© Joyce Ainslie 2015
Artillery Gardens
The use of simple steel conduit as brackets seems to have been the norm in Canterbury. This
ESLA Bi-Multi Group AL is mounted on a simple
wall bracket comprised of sections of conduit. The shape of the lantern suggests
a narrow beam angle - about 140° or less - which is an odd choice given this narrow, long
street. This antique still works, and appears to be maintained by the council, but
has been fitted with an ugly CFL (which would be inefficient in this optical system).
© Joyce Ainslie 2015
Dean Court, Broad Street
This amazing survivor stands outside Dean Court, Broad Street and is still lighting a section of
the road. The cast iron column (with its own feeder pillar) has ladder
bars and a door cover which features the decorative letters "CCC" (which was probably for
Canterbury City Council). The bracket has a circular topped finial, collar and long extension
piece which was probably fitted to bring the lantern up to 15' mounting height. The lantern itself
looks like a standard ESLA Bi-Multi Group AL but has been
fitted with a smaller lamp which
will interact better with the lantern's optical system than a CFL.
© Joyce Ainslie 2015
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