'Reality Checkpoint' to be restored to its former glory

The city council and Cambridgeshire County Council have agreed work that will see the lighting column return to its former colours, highlighting many of the distinguishing features that make Reality Checkpoint so special.
 
Later this month contractors Balfour Beatty will strip back the existing paintwork, and restore its paintwork in its original colours of moss green, red, white and gold colours, even casting new parts if required.
 
Reality Checkpoint is believed to date from around 1860 and is said to be the oldest remaining electrical lamppost in the city. It is a unique design which is Grade II Listed, and decorated with four intertwined ‘dolphins’ on the column and topped with four lamps.
 
The origins of the name Reality Checkpoint are shrouded in some mystery, with several theories about what it means. The name was first coined in the late 1960s or early 1970s, reputedly by students from what is now Anglia Ruskin University.
 
Some believe it denotes the demarcation between the ‘unreal’ nature of the historic, university-dominated city centre and the ‘reality’ of the rest of Cambridge.
 
Cllr Carina O’Reilly, Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public Places, said: “Reality Checkpoint is one of Cambridge’s most iconic landmarks, well-known to generations of residents, students and visitors, and in many ways a symbol of the city’s dual ‘Town and Gown’ nature.
 
“I’m delighted that this work to repaint and refurbish the city’s best-loved lamppost will be starting soon, and look forward to seeing it gleaming once again in the centre of Parker’s Piece.”
 
The work on refurbishing the lamppost is due to start during the week commencing 18 July, and will be carried out by Balfour Beatty on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council.
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