December saw the much-awaited return of the iconic ornate lights to the Esplanade following painstaking restoration work by the Rochester Bridge Trust.
The 10th of December was an exciting day for FoRCE, the Rochester Bridge Trust and the City of Rochester Society as we witnessed the much-awaited return of the iconic ornate lights to the Esplanade Gardens! These historic items were originally located on the approach to Rochester Bridge, dating from around the time of the bridge's reconstruction which was completed in 1914, but were removed in the 1960s. Now, following a painstaking restoration by the Bridge Trust, they have been returned to the Esplanade and we think they look absolutely spectacular!
After leaving their original position near the bridge, the lights spent some time in storage and in want of a home until, in 1987, the pedestal columns were mounted on granite plinths at the northern entrance of the Esplanade Gardens. Whilst adding a welcome additional touch of grandeur to the Esplanade, they were not complete or in working order as the lantern sections did not travel with them. Over time, exposure to the elements - particularly the harsh saline environment of the tidal Medway - had rendered the pedestal columns a shadow of their former selves.
It was therefore a real delight to see the results of the three-year restoration effort as the fully restored columns returned to their plinths, now complete with new lantern sections carefully designed to combine a historically authentic aesthetic with the necessary functionality and efficiency required for modern use. The restoration included careful research to identify the original colours used for the paintwork and careful reconstruction of the corroded cast iron features, which include classical revival elements such as fluted columns, scrollwork, and fruit and leaf motifs.
FoRCE had lobbied for the restoration and return of the ornate lights for some time, so we're really appreciative of the efforts put in by the Bridge Trust and the City of Rochester Society to return them to their former glory and press them back into service - we hope they continue to light the entrance to Esplanade Gardens for many decades to come.
For more information, see our Ornate Lights project page and also check out the following articles on the Bridge Trust's website: