03-Sep-2024
There are several notices in this Newsletter and I draw particular attention to a selection of them below...
Newbury 2024: Meeting and AGM
I hope to see many BSS members at the Newbury Meeting on 28 September. The Society's AGM will take place during this meeting; there is a formal announcement under 'Acting Secretary' below and, in separate leaflets, the Agenda and Additional Information.
BSS October Bulletin Follow-up
We have now hosted five Bulletin Follow-ups and they seem to attract around 30 to 40 participants. Each Follow-up concludes with a Postscript where a topic inspired by one of the articles is explored further. We were privileged, in July, to hear Vsevolod Buravchenko discuss his Master Terebrus organisation, which makes splendid copies of historic scientific instruments. To see any of the previous Follow-ups please visit: http://www.youtube.com/@the-bss
BSS Conference: Winchester, 8–10 April 2025
The Trustees are in the early stages of negotiating with a hotel in Winchester. As an experiment, we have decided to hold the conference mid-week (arriving Tuesday and finishing Thursday) rather than over a weekend. The rates are a little more competitive and, for those who use public transport, rail and bus services are more frequent; there is also a lower chance of having engineering work on your chosen rail route.
We expect that most delegates will, as usual, stay in the conference hotel and we have advised the hotel of approximate numbers. That said, we have noticed that an increasing number of members are opting to attend as day delegates. As a second experiment, the conference fee charged by the BSS will not cover accommodation and breakfast; everyone will be charged as a day delegate. The fee will cover the Conference Dinner on Wednesday 9 April, lunches on 9 and 10 April, and tea (but not dinner) on 8 April. Details of how to book accommodation at the hotel are still being negotiated.
To help with planning, please send a Declaration of Interest (however tenuous!) in attending the BSS Conference in April 2025 to: conference@sundialsoc.org.uk
The BSS Website
I am most grateful to our Webmaster, Anton Leach, for building a new BSS website. A few of us have been looking at an early version and are delighted with it. BriDOL is easier to use, and one can very quickly see that there are several sundials of interest in Winchester!
Sundial Exhibition in Domodossola
The noted Italian diallist, Rosario Mosello, has drawn my attention to an exhibition in Domodossola of sundials and other scientific instruments made by Guido Dresti. Some details are given at:
https://www.libreriagrossi.it/shop/Misurare-il-tempo-e-seguire-le-stelle/
Rosario continues:
The exhibition receives numerous visitors and has been mentioned in newspapers and TV. However, the topic is rather specialized and can be fully appreciated only by people with an adequate background, as in the case of the readers of the prestigious magazine you direct.
If you are in the area please visit and send us a report!
Frank King