New light shines on piece of history (From The Northern Echo)

New light shines on piece of history

9:10am Saturday 11th September 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

A HISTORIC North-East landmark is shining bright again thanks to a major restoration project.

Five Lamps, in Acklam Road, Thornaby, near Stockton, was officially re-launched yesterday following a revamp by Stockton Borough Council and Thornaby Town Council.

Despite the town undergoing decades of changes, Five Lamps continues to be one of its most prominent features.

The original Victorian gaslit lamps were erected in 1875 at the junction of George Street and Mandale Road, Thornaby.

Commissioned by four local justices of the peace, the lamps soon became a gathering point for residents and the site of public meetings and political rallies.

Between the Thirties and Fifties, the original lamps were replaced with a succession of electric versions.

Construction of the A66 in 1983 saw replicas of the Victorian gas originals, built by trainees at Head Wrightson, moved to the roundabout where Westbury Street meets Mandale Road.

The once busy meeting place was now only a roundabout and many people believe the move “ripped the soul” out of Thornaby.

Last year, the town council approached Stockton Borough Council looking for help to refurbish and relocate the lamps because they had been damaged by vandals.

The town continues to be a part of the Stockton borough and, despite the loss of its traditional town centre to a more complex development in recent years, the Five Lamps is now shining brightly again as a mark of its heritage.

Thornaby Mayor Ian Dalgarno said: “The Five Lamps hold a special place in Thornaby’s history and I am delighted to see them restored to their former glory to serve the people of Thornaby as a meeting place and a symbol of free speech for the future.”

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: “The people of Thornaby are extremely proud of their heritage and the Five Lamps symbolise the town’s unique identity.

“We are pleased to have worked in partnership with Thornaby Town Council to bring the lamps back into use so they can proudly shine as a beacon for the town.”