Page 47

Direction Cosines for the Accurate Delineation of Planar Sundials

Explains how direction cosines can be used to precisely design planar sundials. The method eliminates inaccuracies of graphical construction by calculating hour lines, declination lines, and style parameters mathematically, with examples for horizontal, vertical, and declining dials, and comparison with conventional calculation methods.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout

Tony Belk

Page 51

Book Note

Review of the 1633 Spanish carpentry manual ‘Carpinteria de lo Blanco’, which includes four chapters on sundial construction using graphical methods, plus a supplement on moon dials and latitude tables.
Book Reviews

Piers Nicholson

Page 52

The Portable Sundials of the Mary Rose

Examines eight 16th-century wooden portable sundials recovered from the Mary Rose warship. Describes their construction, provenance, decoration, and probable origin in Nuremberg, with insights into use aboard ship and wider trade networks.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

Mike Cowham

Page 58

Equatorial Sundial by Lake Como, Italy

Report on an equatorial sundial in Domaso, Lake Como. Describes its construction, inscriptions, and unusual alignment to indicate clock time (at noon, inaccurate at other times) rather than true solar time, with observations of performance and speculation on design choices.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials

Ken Head

Page 60

New Sundial at the Scots Hotel in Tiberias, Israel

Accounts the design and installation of twin sundials—horizontal and vertical—on a basalt boulder at the Scots Hotel in Tiberias. Includes design features, analemmas, inscriptions, and collaborative process between designer and hotel staff.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout

Shaul Adam
Fred Hibbert

Page 61

The Dandelion – Nature’s Sundial

A short, light-hearted poem likening the dandelion flower and seed head to a natural sundial, marking sunny hours by its bloom and dispersal of seeds.
Mottoes

Christopher Daniel

Page 62

East of Evesham

Describes unusually large and small mass dials in Worcestershire and Kent. Discusses their features, visibility, and historical significance within the tradition of church sundials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials

Tony Wood

Page 63

Reader’s Letter

Letter recommending WinEphem software for calculating moon transit times useful for moondials. Notes features such as rise/set/transit data and accuracy for dialling purposes.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Nocturnals

Patrick Powers

Page 64

The Curious Holes in the St Michael’s Church Dial, Beccles

Investigation of unusual rows of holes in a declining painted dial partially obscured by a church clock. Considers possible purposes such as securing plaster or transfer of design, raising questions about early construction methods.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials

Patrick Powers

Page 65

A Just Punishment?

Historical account of a 1743 theft trial at the Old Bailey where a man was sentenced to transportation for stealing a sundial. Includes details of the dial’s maker, Thomas Wright, and speculation on its fate.
Historical Dials

John Davis

Page 65

Book Note (2)

Review excerpt from the Dutch Sundial Society journal praising Mike Cowham’s ‘A Dial in Your Poke’ for unique insights into portable sundials, calendars, replicas, and restoration methods.
Book Reviews

Page 66

More on the Equation of Time on Sundials

Continues analysis of how the Equation of Time was represented on sundials, with historical examples and refinements in accuracy by 17th and 18th century astronomers.
Equation of Time, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling

John Davis

Page 75

From the Register - Flies on Dials

Observations about a photo in the Register that happens to capture a fly on a horizontal dial, echoing the flies often depicted on stained glass window dials.
Dials: Horizontal

Page 77

From the Register - Wiltshire’s Wonderful Sundials

Suggestion of a "Top 10" of sundials in Wiltshire, highlighting their variety, locations, and historical interest.
The BSS and Members

John Ingram

Page 78

From the Register - A double take on a direct dial....

Short note describing an apparently south-facing vertical dial, that is likely accurately laid out for its small declination.
Dials: Vertical

Page 78

Photographic Competition

Announcement and results of the BSS photographic competition, showcasing notable sundial photography entries.
The BSS and Members

Mike Cowham

Page 81

BSS Annual Conference, Royal Holloway College - 1–3 April 2005

Report on the BSS Annual Conference held at Royal Holloway College. Summarises lectures, visits, and activities from the event.
The BSS and Members

Margaret Stanier