March 2012 page 42
Peter I. Drinkwater
Tony Wood
John Moir

Readers’ Letters

This section features letters from readers discussing various sundial topics. Peter Drinkwater discusses dial transmission and an Islamic scratch dial. Tony Wood offers insights into the progress of "scientific" sundials. John Moir describes "Suburban Reflections" from his front garden.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members

September 2012 page 19
Tony Wood

Cathedral Mass Dials

The article discusses the scarcity of mass dials in larger towns and on ruins of abbeys and priories, noting only two found on cathedrals so far, both in Yorkshire: one on York Minster and another inside Sheffield Cathedral. It describes the Sheffield Cathedral's mass dial and a larger, now largely hidden, scientific dial beneath the clock.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

September 2012 page 35
Tony Wood

Decorative Dials

This article discusses sundials designed purely for decorative or ornamental purposes, rather than for time-telling. Examples include two identical large gnomon dials at Barnsley and Ablington Manor, colourful tile dials from the Mediterranean, and an expensive, unfinished replica of a Thomas Tompion double horizontal dial at Hampton Court.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Double Horizontal

December 2012 page 5
Tony Wood

Haddon Hall Horizontal Dial

The article describes a 1591 horizontal sundial from Haddon Hall, Derbyshire, now in the Hall museum. Likely made by a clockmaker to regulate an early clock, the 300mm diameter dial displays hours and half-hours with its delineation origin correctly centred, correcting a historical misrepresentation in a previous sketch.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials

December 2012 page 16
Tony Wood

Summertime Noon Dial

This article describes a fused glass noon dial by Adele Christensen for a Gloucestershire client, indicating 12:00 BST on Midsummer's Day via a narrow slit of sunlight. The author also notes a similar Millennium design, the Lockinge Ring by David Harber in Oxfordshire, which uses a mirror for true noon.
Construction Projects, Dials: Noon Lines, Dials: Reflected, Sundial Design & Layout

December 2012 page 40
Tony Wood
Johan Wikander

The Celtic Quartet Re-Visited And Augmented

This article revisits the Celtic Quartet of medieval mass dials, noting their unusual carving on separate stones. It introduces a newly discovered, similar slate dial from Vardøhus, Norway, dated 1480–1550, expanding the Quartet to six or seven examples and highlighting historical maritime trade connections between the regions where these dials are found.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

March 2011 page 15
Tony Wood

A Sundial and its Provenance

This article describes an equatorial sundial at Weston-under-Penyard, initially believed to be 17th-century due to its inscription. The author's investigation, including a 1932 sales receipt and a Christie's report, reveals it was made by Pearson Page in the early 20th century, highlighting the importance of provenance.
Dials: Equatorial, Historical Dials

March 2011 page 45
Tony Wood

Examine Your Dials

This article highlights three 'unique' sundials found in a collection of photographs, encouraging readers to identify similar features. It discusses a two-faced prism dial, a vertical dial with a bent gnomon, and a direct south dial with an unusual inscription, emphasizing the individuality of pre-mass production dials.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials

June 2011 page 13
Tony Wood

War Memorial Dials

This article discusses the discrepancy in the number of war memorial sundials identified by the British Sundial Society and the Imperial War Museum. It applies a probability theorem to estimate the number of unfound dials and lists several previously unrecorded examples in churches.
Historical Dials

September 2011 page 22
Tony Wood

The Coronation Dial at Painswick

This article describes a souvenir Coronation dial in Painswick, commemorating King George VI's coronation in May 1937. The bronze garden dial, 8 inches in diameter, features a gnomon of 52° and the royal coat of arms. Its location at The Royal Oak pub and its 74-year survival are noted, along with the author's personal challenges in photographing it.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials

March 2010 page 21
Alessandro Gunella
Michael Lowne
Tony Wood
Doug Bateman
Chris H. K. Williams

Readers’ Letters

A collection of letters from readers. Topics include a simpler graphical method for using the John Marke altitude dial, a discussion on the nomenclature of mass dials, the 'Sun Position Compass', and the historical connection between clockmakers and dialmakers.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Portable, Mathematics of Dialling, The BSS and Members

March 2010 page 41
Tony Wood
Jill Wilson

West Indies Dials in Gloucestershire

Describes two 18th-century horizontal sundials, now in Gloucestershire, originally made for West Indies plantations. One by John Fowler was designed for St Kitts (17.5° latitude) and the other by his apprentice Henry Gregory for a latitude of around 13°.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials

June 2010 page 40
Tony Wood

Book Review (1): Ancient Crosses of the Three Choirs Counties

This is a review of Marion Freeman's book, 'Ancient Crosses of the Three Choirs Counties.' The reviewer notes that despite the title, the book covers the history of British crosses broadly, including many converted to carry sundials. It's highlighted as a potential source for finding dials in the West of England, despite some minor picture identification errors.
Book Reviews

June 2010 page 41
Tony Wood

The Woodchester ‘Unicorn’ Dial

This article describes the formal launch of the 'Unicorn dial' at North Woodchester, Gloucestershire. It features a massive 17ft helical gnomon made of chromium-plated stainless steel, weighing a ton, and held at a 51¾-degree angle. The gnomon was aligned by Michael Maltin, outlining the garden layout which incorporates Chinese themes and floral hour lines.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout

June 2010 page 45
Tony Wood

A Third West Indies Dial

This article introduces a newly discovered West Indies sundial, signed 'DICAS LIVERPOOL' with 'Latt 22°'. The gnomon is missing and the dial is worn, but it is identified as likely from the Turks and Caicos Islands. Research by Jill Wilson and John Davis attributes it to John Dicas (w.1774-1797), a Liverpool scientific instrument maker, or his daughters who ran the business after his death.
Historical Dials, Restoration projects

March 2009 page 27
Jill Wilson
Tony Wood

Is that a Dial? Barcheston, Warwickshire

This article describes the discovery of a unique sundial carved into the base of a former churchyard cross at Barcheston, Warwickshire. The stonework was trimmed to a 52° slope on the south side, with recessed flat regions revealing traces of hour lines. It is classified as a large horizontal in stone with a notably wide gnomon.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials

June 2009 page 13
Tony Wood

Early east-facing dials

Discusses two potentially very early examples of direct east-facing vertical sundials. One is carved into the stonework of a house in Eydon, Northamptonshire. The other is carved on the church at Great Washbourne, Gloucestershire, and may be the earliest of its type.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials

September 2009 page 9
Tony Wood

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

December 2009 page 38
Tony Wood

Prism dials—a regional variety?

This article examines 'prism dials', a form of multi-faced dial created from a diagonally sliced cube, resulting in south-east and south-west declining faces. The author provides a gazetteer of several examples found within a specific area of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, questioning if they represent a local style.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials

March 2008 page 10
Tony Wood

Down at the Garden Centre: a Recorder’s Afternoon

A recorder encounters an armillary sphere sundial for sale at a garden centre. Despite initial skepticism about 'garden centre' dials, it's well-delineated. The author inquires about its permanence for recording purposes and learns its price (£10,000) and maker, Richard Heron.
Dials: Armillary Sphere

June 2008 page 84
Tony Wood
Finola O’Carroll

A Celtic Quartet

This article investigates five slate mass dials found in 'Celtic' areas (Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, Wales), which share common features like 15° interval hour lines. It discusses their unusual horizontal forms, 'secretary hand' numerals, and archaeological backgrounds, exploring a potential 'Celtic' connection despite dating challenges.
Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

September 2008 page 141
Tony Wood
Jill Wilson

Readers’ Letters (cont.)

Tony Wood writes about a porcelain dial from 1766 at the Royal Worcester Porcelain Museum, describing its detailed delineation. Jill Wilson responds to Chris Williams' mass dial article, noting a correlation between dial distribution and geology, and suggesting further research into building materials and church histories for a complete picture of dial loss.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members

December 2008 page 163
Tony Wood

The Malvern Pillar Dial

This article reports on the Malvern pillar dial, noting its removal from an old cross shaft and replacement with a gabled cross. The original cube dial has been refurbished or replaced, and is now mounted on a short column in the churchyard. It also mentions a modern cube dial by Liz Leighford based on a similar design.
Dials: Cube, Historical Dials, Restoration projects

June 2007 page 82
Fred Sawyer
Michael Faraday
Tony Wood

Readers’ Letters

This section contains reader correspondence. Fred Sawyer corrects an article on dual sundials, attributing the self-setting property to Vaulezard (1640) rather than Tuttell (1698). Mike Faraday asks for a website to track the terminator for sunrise times. Tony Wood clarifies the location and movement of the Ross-on-Wye pillar dial.
Dials: Analemmatic, How Sundials Work, Historical Dials

June 2007 page 83
Tony Wood
Harriet James

Painswick Pharmacy– the first BSS Grant-Aided Restoration

This article describes the restoration of a faded vertical declining sundial at Painswick Pharmacy, the first to receive a British Sundial Society grant. It details the cleaning, stabilisation of a crack, repainting, and strengthening of the iron gnomon. The article also touches on the dial's possible historical connection to local clockmakers and its asymmetrical placement.
Dials: Vertical, Restoration projects

September 2007 page 104
Tony Wood

Obituary: Edward Martin

This obituary commemorates Edward Martin (1925-2007), founder of the British Sundial Society's Mass Dial Group. It highlights his pioneering work in collecting and computerising information on mass and Saxon dials, leading to a National Register. Martin's vision and enthusiasm for recording dials nationwide are praised as a significant legacy to the Society.
Dials: Mass Dials, The BSS and Members

February 2006 page 20
Hal Brandmaier
Tony Wood
Patrick Powers
Doug Bateman
Norman Darwood

Readers’ Letters

This section contains various reader contributions. Hal Brandmaier and Tony Wood discuss vector methods for sundial delineation. Patrick Powers and Douglas Bateman exchange views on a longitude error on the Kew Garden Cross Dial inscription. Norman Darwood briefly comments on the potential effects of changes in Earth's rotation on sundials.
Dials: Horizontal, Mathematics of Dialling, Equation of Time

February 2006 page 26
Tony Wood

Sundial Delineation using Vector Methods Part 3

This instalment, the third in a series, presents the complex mathematical methods for delineating declining-inclining sundials using vector analysis. It provides detailed equations for calculating the shadow plane components, hour and declination lines, sub-style angles, and gnomon angles, building upon two previous articles.
Dials: Vertical, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout

June 2006 page 63
Tony Wood

Mass Dials - Where Did It All End?

This article explores the indistinct end of mass dials, discussing "transitional" forms that bridge medieval and scientific dials. It notes the appearance of numerals (Roman, Hindu-Arabic, or dot form) around the circumference of later mass dials, indicating a shift towards 12 o'clock noon, and touches on conversions to scientific dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout

June 2006 page 68
Tony Wood

Sundial Delineation Using Vector Methods: Pt.4 - Direct East and West Dials

This fourth part of a series focuses on the delineation of direct east and west vertical dials using vector methods. It details the coordinate transformations, equations for hour lines, declination lines, sub-style angles, and gnomon characteristics for these specific dial types, also covering their illumination times.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout

September 2006 page 138
Tony Wood

Sundial Delineation Using Vector Methods - Part 5, Polar Dials

The fifth instalment in a series, this article applies vector methods to the specific challenge of delineating polar sundials. It presents the vector components for the shadow plane and declination lines, mathematically deriving the straight hour lines and hyperbolic declination lines.
Dials: Polar, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout

December 2006 page 163
Tony Wood

Sundial Delineation using Vector Methods - Part 6 Equatorial Dials

The article describes how the hour lines, declination lines and the sub-style angle are calculated using vectors. There is a summary which includes the assumptions made and the limitations of the method.
Dials: Equatorial, Mathematics of Dialling

December 2006 page 176
Tony Wood

Poetic Interlude

Farringford, on the Isle of Wight, was the home of Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) and used to have a sundial. The dial plate itself has long gone but the pedestal remains and has two mottoes carved round it and on each of the four faces is a sculpture of ‘timekeeping’.
Historical Dials, Mottoes

March 2005 page 42
Tony Wood

Newly Discovered Saxon Dials and Their Prospects for the Future

Reports recent identification of likely Anglo-Saxon sundials at English parish churches. Analyses stylistic features such as relief circles, gnomon placement and line patterns. Compares regional examples, explores reuse and church reconstructions, and discusses prospects for future discoveries, preservation strategies and scholarly classification.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, Restoration projects

June 2005 page 62
Tony Wood

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

September 2005 page 121
Tony Wood

Sundial Delineation Using Vector Methods: Part 1

The author presents a new method for sundial delineation using vector methods and axis transformations to derive simple equations for plotting hour and declination lines. The article explains how shadow planes intersect a dial surface and provides examples of using this method for a horizontal sundial.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout

September 2005 page 128
Tony Wood

Dom Ethelbert Horne: Founding Father of Mass Dial Studies

A tribute to Dom Ethelbert Horne, a Benedictine monk who was a pioneer in the study of mass dials. The article highlights his work in identifying, recording, and publishing information about these ancient dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials

December 2005 page 158
Tony Wood

Vector Delineation - Part 2

This technical article, "Part 2" of "Vector Delineation," presents mathematical equations for delineating vertical declining sundials. It focuses on deriving shadow plane vector components, hour lines, declination lines, sub-style angle, and gnomon angle using trigonometric functions. The article demonstrates how these calculations can be implemented for computer-aided design of sundials.
Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout

March 2004 page 26
Tony Wood

Achtung - Sonnenuhr!

This article recounts an unusual incident from World War II where a German airman, Gottfried Treue, crash-landed at 'The Folly' in Gloucestershire in 1940 and broke his jaw on a sundial. The article describes the octagonal brass dial's features and its unique motto, "Time is Money," noting its current status as a "timeless memorial."
Historical Dials, Mottoes

March 2004 page 33
Tony Wood

From the Mental Home and Workhouse

This article explores two historically significant sundial-related discoveries: a door from a demolished Mental Home in Wiltshire covered with calculations for a meridian line, and a scratch dial on the wall of a Nottinghamshire workhouse. It delves into the stories of the 'inmates' who created these and speculates on their accuracy and purpose.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Noon Lines, Historical Dials

June 2004 page 79
Tony Wood

Chinese Dials

A drawing of an example Chinese horizontal sundial's layout
Dials: Horizontal

June 2004 page 86
Tony Wood

The First Dial at Chastleton House, Oxfordshire

Investigation into the earliest known dial at Chastleton House, including historical documentation and physical description.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials

March 2003 page 29
Tony Wood

Two Further China Dials

Description of two additional China sundials, extending previous findings with observations on layout and form.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials

March 2003 page 40
Tony Wood

The Dials at St Mary's, Elmley Castle, Worcestershire

Descriptive study of multiple dials found at St Mary's Church, including layout, inscriptions, and historical context.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials

September 2003 page 108
Tony Wood

The Benoy Dial - Part 1

The first part of an article on a unique 'New Optical Dial' invented by W. Gordon Benoy. It's a sundial that tells time with a beam of light rather than a shadow. The article describes its construction, its weight, and some technical details including using a glass cylinder filled with water containing anti-freeze.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual

September 2003 page 110
Jill Wilson
Graham Stapleton
Tony Wood
Frank Evans

Readers' Letters

A collection of letters from readers. Topics include a thank you for information on sundial makers for the 'Biographical Index of British Sundial Makers,' and some pub dial sightings.
The BSS and Members

September 2003 page 129
Tony Wood

A Dial with a Royal Cipher

A description of a new vertical dial at St John's Church, Ruardean, Gloucestershire. It is believed to be the only church dial to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee and bear the Royal Cipher 'E II R'. The author also notes the process involved in its design and approval.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical

December 2003 page 169
Tony Wood

The Housman Tomb and Sundial

A short study of the tomb sundial of poet A. E. Housman, reflecting on its layout, symbolism, and poetic associations.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Mottoes

December 2003 page 175
Tony Wood

The Benoy Dial, Part Two

Continuation of a discussion of an innovative dial, focussing light through a cylinder onto an equatorial dial plate
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Unusual

March 2002 page 27
Tony Wood

Small Mystery in York

Reports on an unusual stained glass window sundial in York with a curiosity in the painting of a wrongly deliniated sundial in its centre.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials

June 2002 page 58
Roger Bowling
Tony Wood

Two Horizontal Scratch Dials in Scotland (and One in England)

Documents rare horizontal scratch dials found in Scottish churchyards and compares them to a similar English example, discussing their form and function.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

September 2002 page 91
Tony Wood

New Zealand: Four Dials and a Diallist

The author explores four distinctive sundials across New Zealand, discussing their design, settings, and local cultural influences, with special focus on Ray Sanson’s dials.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials

December 2002 page 137
Tony Wood

Book Review

Review of 'Time in Rutland', a comprehensive survey of bells, clocks, scratch dials, and sundials in Rutland, with illustrations and gazetteer entries.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

December 2002 page 145
Tony Wood

The Sundial at St Tewdric's, Mathern, South Wales

Field visit report on a large vertical church sundial in Mathern, including physical description, estimated dating, and call for other large-dial contenders.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials

December 2001 page 158
Tony Wood
Mike Cowham

Book Review

This section reviews two books. The first, a reprint of T.W. Cole's 'Origin and Use of Church Scratch-Dials,' covers mass dials and their history. The second reviews Hester Higton's 'Sundials: An Illustrated History of Portable Dials,' praised for its lavish illustrations and historical context of various portable dial types. While generally well-received, factual errors regarding dial functionality and minor layout issues are noted in Higton's work.
Book Reviews, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

June 2000 page 70
Tony Wood

The Noon Day Stone at St. Martin's Church, Horsley, Gloucestershire

Describes a modern noon-marking stone and tests its alignment by observation of solar shadows.
Dials: Unusual

June 2000 page 99
Tony Wood

Photographing Mass Dials

Advice and commentary on the best techniques and conditions for photographing mass dials.
Dials: Mass Dials

October 1999 page 132
Tony Wood

Sun, Moon and Stars: Time Measurement at Sea

This article briefly summarises the Andrew Somerville Memorial Lecture, delivered by Professor David Waters. which explored maritime history and time measurement at sea. Professor Waters discussed the link between city-port growth and Mediterranean trade, enabled by the magnetic compass. He suggested early Nordic explorations possibly used sundials, while sand-glasses were 'horologia del mare'. The development of accurate timekeepers and ship's logs facilitated navigation, leading to precise maps and the rise of a wealthy merchant class, plausibly contributing to the Renaissance.

October 1999 page 137
Tony Wood

Dunchurch 1999: Tenth Anniversary Conference

This report details the BSS's successful Tenth Anniversary Conference at Dunchurch Lodge. Lectures covered calendar history, a remote reading sundial invention, and the discovery of a lost stained glass sundial. Allan Mills surveyed Greek and Roman scaphe dials. Doug Bateman guided a tour of Nottingham Subscription Library's Noon Line. Group meetings addressed portable dials, mass dials, and wall declination. The conference concluded with an auction, a satellite dish sundial demonstration, an eclipse lecture, and the election of new officials.
The BSS and Members