Editing Reality Checkpoint (section)

==History==
A lamp at the centre of Parker's Piece was first proposed in 1890<ref>''Cambridge Independent Press'', 18 January 1890.</ref> and work commenced in January 1894, when a pipe was laid from Parkside, running parallel with the path opposite Melbourne Place. Once the connections were completed, the pillar was erected. This attracted a great deal of interest and was described as a "very handsome ornament to the Piece".<ref>''Cambridge Independent Press'', 2 February 1894.</ref> It was made of [[cast iron]] by the Sun Foundry of George Smith & Company in Glasgow. It stands on a square-section plinth with [[Waterleaf (architecture)|waterleaf]] decoration on the top edges. The base of the shaft of the circular section is encircled with four intertwined [[Dolphin#Heraldry|heraldic dolphins]]. The shaft carries four lampholders by means of scrolled [[wrought-iron|wrought iron]] stays. It is said to be the oldest electrical lamppost in Cambridge.<ref name='cambridgeonline'>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cambridgeonline.co.uk/articles/Parkers_Piece/ |title=Parker's Piece, Cambridge |access-date=26 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804180653/http://www.cambridgeonline.co.uk/articles/Parkers_Piece/ |archive-date=4 August 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

A photograph from around 1903 shows the lamppost with a single lamp.<ref>{{cite web|title=Parker's Piece, Cambridge. c. 1903|url=http://www.history-in-pictures.co.uk/store/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=4662|accessdate=27 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Parker's Pieces|url=http://cambridgecurio.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/parkers-pieces/|accessdate=27 April 2014|date=2012-01-28}}</ref>

The post above the dolphins was torn down in 1945 by U.S. soldiers celebrating [[Victory over Japan Day]], the end of the war with Japan. In September 1946 the lamppost was repaired by a local metalworks firm, George Lister & Sons. The work was done by foreman Sam Mason, assisted by a young apprentice, Tony Challis, who did the [[scrollwork]] at the top of the lamppost.<ref name=Webb/><ref>Cambridge Daily News, 5 September 1946</ref> Challis still lives in Cambridgeshire and is also responsible for the ornate railings found at [[Grantchester Meadows]]. The current design with four pendant lamps dates from 1946.

In 1996 the lamppost was designated as a Grade II [[listed building]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1268376 | title=Lamp Standard, Cambridge – 1268376 &#124; Historic England}}</ref>

In 2016–17 Cambridge City Council restored the lamppost, reinstating its earlier colours of moss green, red, white and gold, and casting any new parts as required.<ref name=Webb/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2016/07/07/reality-checkpoint-to-be-restored-to-former-glory|title='Reality Checkpoint' to be restored to former glory {{!}} Cambridge City Council|website=www.cambridge.gov.uk|access-date=2016-07-07|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828223959/https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2016/07/07/reality-checkpoint-to-be-restored-to-former-glory|archivedate=28 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Leng|first1=Freya|title=Cambridge's most famous street lamp just weeks away from being restored to former glory|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cambridge-s-most-famous-street-lamp-just-weeks-away-from-being-restored-to-former-glory/story-29573657-detail/story.html|accessdate=2 August 2016|publisher=[[Cambridge News]]|date=2 August 2016}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 2018 anonymous local art installers, Dinky Doors, installed a reality checker "door" on the checkpoint, which was refurbished in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 April 2019 |title=Art Installation …. Dinky Doors … arrives in the city. Can you find them? April 2019 : Cambridge Tourist Information |url=http://www.cambridgetouristinformation.co.uk/art-installation-dinky-doors-arrives-in-the-city-can-you-find-them-april-2019/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803181210/http://www.cambridgetouristinformation.co.uk:80/art-installation-dinky-doors-arrives-in-the-city-can-you-find-them-april-2019/ |archive-date=3 Aug 2019 |access-date=2019-07-01 |website=www.cambridgetouristinformation.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dinkydoors.co.uk/|title=Dinky Doors|website=Dinky Doors|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-01}}</ref>