Page 1

Editorial

The Best New Bulletin Author Award 2008 could not be presented at the Conference so it was recently presented at the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge, where the recipient, Robin Catchpole, works. The presentation consisted of a replica astrolabe, as well as a certificate.
The BSS and Members

Page 2

A universal altitude dial by John Marke

Describes a unique universal altitude dial made by John Marke, possibly for Robert Boyle, now in the London Science Museum. The article details the instrument's provenance, its physical characteristics, and its complex operation as a combined clinometer and sundial. It provides an in-depth analysis of the mathematical principles involved and its potential accuracy.
Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling

Michael Lowne
John Davis

Page 8

Visit to Bramshill house, 6th June 2009

A report on a British Sundial Society visit to Bramshill House, a Jacobean mansion in Hampshire. The article describes the tour of the house, which was the former National Police Staff College, and the various timepieces examined, including a noon mark, a horizontal dial, a stone polyhedron, and a vertical dial.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Vertical, The BSS and Members

Mike Isaacs

Page 9

Modern mass dials and an experiment with time

Discusses modern scratch dials made since the medieval period for various reasons other than marking mass times. It presents several examples, including a decorative dial in Scotland, a memorial dial in Macclesfield, unusual dials on windowsills on the island of Canna, and the 'Toucan Dial' at Leeds Castle.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials

Tony Wood

Page 10

Prehistoric sundials in Ireland

Explores potential prehistoric sundials within the megalithic passage tombs of Brú na Bóinne in Ireland, including Newgrange, Dowth, and Knowth. The article examines specific stone carvings, such as the 'Stone of the Seven Suns' and Kerbstones K7 and K15 at Knowth, discussing theories that they may be sundials or calendars.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work

Michael J. Harley

Page 15

Postcard potpourri 13: Rémalard, France

Features an early 20th-century postcard showing a sundial in Rémalard, Normandy, France. The postcard was used to guide a modern restoration of the dial. The article briefly describes the dial, its motto, and the author's visit to the Perche region, which is rich in sundials.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes, The BSS and Members

Peter Ransom

Page 16

Searching for lost time: Finding sundials in Rutland

Provides a historical survey of sundials in the county of Rutland, from early scratch dials on churches to more scientific vertical and horizontal dials on mansions and public buildings. The article highlights significant local examples, discusses common mottoes, and suggests a route for a sundial tour of the area.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes

Bryan Waites

Page 20

New dial

Describes a new declining vertical dial recently installed in the Midlands. The design is based on the dials at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. The article details its large size, construction materials including vitreous-enamelled steel and brass, and a unique feature: the coat of arms of Aston Villa Football Club.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout

John Davis

Page 20

Reader’s letter

A letter responding to a previous article on Kircher’s 'Organum Heliocausticum'. The author argues that the instrument as depicted could not work because the focal length of the spherical lens is drawn incorrectly.
Dials: Unusual, How Sundials Work

Michael Lowne

Page 21

The 20th BSS conference, Grange-over-sands

A detailed report on the 20th annual BSS conference. The article summarises the programme of talks, which covered topics such as early Norwegian dials, the prevalence of scratch dials, equant dials, and the Equation of Time. It also describes the conference outing to Holker Hall and Hawkshead, and other social events.
The BSS and Members

Chris Lusby Taylor

Page 25

Mystery inscription

A query seeking help from readers to decipher a mysterious inscription on a vertical south dial from 1782, now in Keighley Museum. The dial was formerly at the Fleece Inn, Keighley, and the puzzling inscription reads: "C.G · 1 51 33·34·1450".
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members

Page 25

A sundial hat

Features a unique sundial hat designed by Joanna Migdal for the Ascot races. The hat is a functional sundial designed for the latitude of Ascot, with its gnomon made of feathers. It is delineated to show "Race Time," indicating the start times of the races.
Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout

Page 26

A vertical sundial indicating the present ecliptic positions of the constellations

Describes the design and markings of a complex vertical sundial. In addition to time, the dial indicates the current ecliptic positions of the constellations using a Mercator projection. It also features longitude correction, an Equation of Time curve, declination lines, and functions as a nomogram for identifying constellations visible at night.
Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout

Ortwin Feustel

Page 32

Two Manchester glass dials

Discusses two now-lost stained-glass sundials from the Manchester area. One, at Didsbury Old Parsonage, was designed in 1903 by Fletcher Moss. The author describes the second, an 18th-century dial at Kersal Cell, and speculates it may have been instigated by its owner, the prominent Jacobite John Byrom.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials

Roger Bowling

Page 34

The prevalence of English mass (scratch) dials c.1650—part 2

Continues a statistical analysis of the prevalence of English scratch dials around 1650. The article explores the geographic distribution of surviving dials, arguing that the significant regional variation is due to differential loss rates over time, rather than differences in the original number of dials constructed.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

Chris H. K. Williams

Page 36

The recently discovered Irish-style dial at Tywyn

Details the discovery and preservation of an Irish-style pillar dial (c. 700-1000 AD) in Tywyn, Wales. Found in 1986 among rubble, the dial was later used as a milepost. The article describes its features and recounts the successful effort to have the vulnerable stone moved to St Cadfan's Church.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Restoration projects

Mike Cowham
Bill Linnard

Page 38

The BSS photocompetition 2008-09: The conference vote

Describes the introduction of a 'Conference Vote' for the BSS Photocompetition, allowing members to choose their favourite entries alongside the formal judging panel. The article details the voting method and presents the results, noting that the members' choice for first place mirrored the judges' decision.
The BSS and Members

Patrick Powers

Page 40

Minutes of the 20th annual general meeting held at the Cumbria grand hotel, Grange-over-sands

The official minutes of the society's 20th Annual General Meeting held in May 2009. The document includes reports from various council members on the year's activities, such as membership, publications, restoration projects, and the dial registers, as well as recording the election of officers for the next term.
The BSS and Members

Page 42

Book reviews

Features two reviews. The first covers "Time in Antiquity" by Robert Hannah, a book on Greek and Roman timekeeping. The second reviews Denis Savoie’s "Sundials: Design, Construction, and Use," a modern, practical text on constructing various types of sundials, translated from the French original.
Book Reviews

Frank Evans
John Davis

Page 44

A roller in a cottage garden?

A humorous account of installing an armillary sphere sundial in a cottage garden. The author describes the challenges of using an old granite farm roller as a pedestal, detailing the difficulties of moving it, cutting the axle, and drilling into the stone to mount the dial and a motto plate.
Construction Projects, Dials: Armillary Sphere

Rob Alton

Page 45

Hans Holbein’s design for a clocksalt

Presents and discusses a drawing by Hans Holbein the Younger for a 'clocksalt'—a combined hourglass, clock, and salt cellar—designed as a gift for Henry VIII. The piece incorporates two curved sundials, whose design is attributed to Nikolaus Kratzer, and the author notes their curious and unusual delineation.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials

John Davis

Page 46

The housewife’s trick

Re-evaluates A.P. Herbert's suggestion of turning a horizontal sundial to make it agree with mean time. While previously dismissed as inaccurate, this article presents a theoretical analysis and a practical implementation showing that, for UK latitudes, the 'trick' can keep the dial accurate to within a minute for most of the year.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling

Chris Lusby Taylor