Description:Street gas lamps needed constant maintenance, their glasses polished, clockwork mechanisms wound, mantles replaced. The gas mantle was the equivalent of the electric bulb. They were made of silk and coated with lime oxide which became white hot when heated to give lamps their glow. If the lamps didn't have clockwork timers, a lamplighter went round at dusk and dawn lighting and extinguishing the lamp.
On the left of the photograph is Bradeley Post Office (and corner shop). The houses have been demolished.