1. Home
  2. /
  3. Bridol
  4. /
  5. Dial Recording
  6. /
  7. Sundial Recording Form

Sundial Recording Form

Please enter all the information which you have, leave fields blank if you don't know.

Basic information about the dial

If your report is for a dial that has already been recorded, please enter the SRN if you know it.
Enter the type from the list above, using "Other" if you cannot decide on the exact type.

Dial location

Enter Longitude and Latitude if known.

If you are physically with the dial now, you can

More detailed information

This should be the date of the dial's first manufacture. Enter any known restoration dates under Remarks.
The person or organisation name
Note specific faults and give suggestions as to what would be to remedy these defects.
Wood, metal (type), slate, stained glass, etc. Indicate if the gnomon is of a different material.
Give the shape of the dial and the size in mm, e.g. "Circular, dia 310" or "Octagonal 400 a/f" (across flats). Add capital letter E if estimated.
As for diameter but give the angle between the gnomon and the dial plate. If a nodus is present, give its distance from the dial plate, measured along the gnomon style.
Describe any dial furniture (e.g. EOT scale, declination lines, compass rose), and any other relevant markings and inscriptions, particularly maker's name, date, family crest, mottoes, etc. Are the hours marked in Roman or Arabic numerals? How many divisions are there, e.g. every hour, half hour, 5 minutes etc. Indicate the orientation of the hour numerals, e.g. whether read from the inside or the outside on horizontal dials, and whether upright or aligned with the hour lines on verticals.
Give a description, including materials and approximate dimensions. For verticals, give an approximate elevation if possible, e.g. 'Estimated 6 metres above ground level'.
Enter any available information.
Quote any relevant known bibliographical information.
Use this space to enter any information not given elsewhere — e.g. dial declination, known dates of restoration, or relevant history of the dial and its origins.

About you

Your name.
Your email. We will contact you so you can send us any pictures of the dial.
If you are a BSS member, please put 'Yes' and give your membership number if you know it.

Do I need to ask permission before recording a dial?

If the dial is visible from a public place then it is usually safe to photograph and record it. In other cases or where there may be doubt, you should seek the permission of someone who might reasonably be supposed to be its owner or 'keeper'.

Why should an owner give permission?

Over time the Society's records provide a proof of provenance and they are accepted by the police and insurance companies for identification purposes. It is to most owners' advantage to have their dial recorded. If there is a danger of theft the form can be marked to ensure that the location will not be published in the online or printed Register.

Copyright

Copyright in all submitted material remains with the recorder/licence holder but, by sending it to the Society, it must be clearly understood and agreed by all affected parties that title to the material passes to BSS and by the act of such passing, the Recorder/Copyright holder grants to the Society a perpetual and irrevocable licence to use any part or all of the submitted material as it sees fit and without restriction in furtherance of the Society's aims. It is the Recorder's responsibility to ensure that he/she is entitled to issue such a licence.

© The British Sundial Society: 2025