Summary
A C19 gas street lamp.
Reasons for Designation
The C19 gas street lamp on Park Road is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Intactness: the lamp is intact, with the exception of the loss of an arm to the ladder rest, and remains lit by gas;
* Design quality: the lamp standard is well cast and elegantly designed;
* Technological: it illustrates a technology which once transformed everyday existence;
* Historic interest: as part of an extensive network of similar gas-lit street lamps which survive across Malvern.
History
In 1851, permission was given for the building of a gas works at Sherrards Green in Malvern, the first to be built in the town. It opened in 1856, with the capacity to serve around 500 houses in the vicinity, as well as 200 street lamps. Further gas plants were opened around the town, and eventually all of Malvern, even remote locations, was provided with gas street lighting. In 1872, a lamplighter was paid 14s a week to light the lamps each evening. In total there were around 250 lamps, of which around 100 are still lit by gas, with a hand-wound clockwork mechanism to light them automatically. A further 125 have been converted to electric lighting; there are some replica lamp posts, and a few have been tapped off or lost entirely. The lamps were cast by a number of foundries, many of which were local, others much further afield, including Sheffield and Manchester. The lanterns were supplied by William Sugg & Company which was founded in London in 1837 to provide elements for gas lighting, and Foster and Pullen Ltd of Bradford.
Details
The lamp standard is constructed of cast iron with a later Suggs Windsor lantern. The tapering lantern is supported on four scrolled brackets, set on a tapering, circular column with a capital decorated with a foliate design in relief. The base is baluster-shaped with similar foliate design, set on a circular plinth with a moulded top and reeded foot. The ladder rest, of which one arm is missing, is pierced and elaborately moulded.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
488236
Legacy System:
LBS
Sources
Websites http://www.williamsugghistory.co.uk/lighting.htm
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
End of official list entry
