Urbis Gema Lantern Installations

Urbis Gemas were not used in large quantities throughout the UK, but they could be ordered for top-entry or post-top mounting. The lanterns were known to be able to run 50W-150W SON-T, MBF/U or metal halide lamps, and could be identified by their saucer-shaped body encompassed by an aluminium frame.

Crewe

The Urbis Gema is especially common around Crewe, where they litter the roads around the train station. This first one is atop column 8 of the A534.

I followed the road to Mill Street where more Gemas were found lining the road. These examples run 150W SON lamps.

A Minicell is present on the canopy of this example. It is presumed to be the same situation for the other Gemas in Crewe. There also appears to be an elliptical lamp in this one.

The lantern on the closest column:

The Gemas continued down South Street.

Column 2 of South Street provided a nice under-profile, and a good view of the bowl's hinge mechanism:

In the evening, I captured this shot on Nantwich Road, of the Gemas continuing into the distance. The sunlight refracting through the bowls creates an interesting silhouette.

This Gema was spotted along Nantwich Road with a glare-blocking coat of black paint inside the bowl.