Nice to hear some feedback on this subject. Whilst none of us would wish to be admitted to hospital, at least there are things which will keep us amused.
Another hospital which had interesting lighting was Booth Hall Children's Hospital, in Blackley, Manchester. The buildings were designed on different lines to Monsall, being based around a central admin block and corridors off which were the various wards and departments. In the 1920s, two pavillion styled extensions with balconies were added, which allowed patients access to the fresh air and sunshine. Although to a different design, the hospital still occupied a large site and therefore had quite an elaborate road system to access the wards, stores, ancillary departments etc.
Original lighting consisted of enamel reflectors mounted on buildings, however in the 50s a token nod to the modern age came to Booth Hall in the shape of a 6m concrete Eleco column with a Benjamin "shovel" on top. As with other installations, this column was switched on by a member of the grounds staff at night - no time clock was used. In the 60s, two 5m steel columns were erected on the roadway to the hospital laundry. These had swan neck brackets and Atlas Beta 3s fitted. Both columns were later decommisioned in the early 90s due to corrosion and earth faults. One of the lanterns still had its 45W SO/I lamp.
Things stayed pretty much the same until the late 70s when new lighting was installed. The bulk of the grounds were now lit by 90W geared Alpha 9s mounted on 5m Thorn columns. Interestingly, the old reflectors remained in situ and connected. Close to the main entrances were two twin arm aluminium columns (I think they were 12m high but fitted with Eleco GR150s. As the hospital didn't possess a tower wagon of their own, the assistance of the Greater Manchester Fire Brigade was sought with their "Simon Snorkel" appliance. The GR150s were relamped and cleaned every couple of years or so. The whole of the hospital lighting was via a central timeclock, with the whole lot routinely day burned to check for failures.
In the mid 80s, the one and only concrete column was spalling badly and the decision was taken to replace it. I recall the hospital electrician saying that as they didn't have the means to crane it out of the ground, the column was demolished bit by bit using a chap on a ladder with a lump hammer!
In later years, the SOX lanterns were changed for GEC Z8832 lanterns, including the GR150s, however a few Alpha 9s lingered on on the engineering stores and boiler house.
The whole site has since been demolished following the closure of Booth Hall Hospital and transfer of its services to the new site in central Manchester.
_________________ "I can't think what you want to go to London for, you won't find any better lampposts there..." L.S. Lowry. 1887-1976.
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