Winchester's Finest - TrustNews Mar 04
For a very long time this lantern, surely the finest in Winchester hid its light behind a very fine tree. Sadly the tree was felled and the City Council sold off the site it adorned, King's Head Yard, to developers.
At some time the lamp has obviously been converted very carefully from gas to electricity note the ladder supports and large vents at top and bottom. No trace of any makers is visible on the column but may exist below ground. Little is known of its history though it is thought to have been in the Christchurch Road area. Any additional information would be most welcome.
The Trust was approached by the City Council for advice on repositioning the lantern and it has been agreed to site it near Abbey House, just across the footbridge on the east side, well away from road traffic. The Trust has also indicated that, if appropriate and depending on the cost, it would like to see the City's coat of arms engraved on one of the glasses.