September 2015
Page 1

Editorial

Discussion of revised short Check List guidelines for authors, replacing the longer formal guidelines previously published. Notes the continuing welcome for articles on any subject relating to sundials, including short items such as holiday photographs with a line or two of explanation.

September 2015
Page 1

Familiar Faces in Victoria, BC

A short item reporting that three UK British Sundial Society (BSS) members (Frank King, Doug Bateman, and Jackie Jones) gave talks at the recent North American Sundial Society (NASS) Conference in Canada. Further details regarding the event will be featured in the December Bulletin.
The BSS and Members

September 2015
Page 2

The Sundial Herm at Ancient Messene, Greece

Describes the conceptualisation, design, and installation (2011) of a modern equatorial sundial named 'Sundial Herm' at the ancient UNESCO site of Messene, Greece. It details its unique numbering system, artistic philosophy, orientation challenges, and connection to ancient monumental orientations.
Dials: Equatorial, Sundial Design & Layout, Construction Projects

Andreas Galanakis
Martin Jenkins

September 2015
Page 7

Is this the World’s Hardest-to-See Sundial?

An account of the author's difficult and adventurous attempt to photograph a 40-metre-wide sundial located on the roof of the International Village Shopping Mall in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Few people, including local residents and staff, are aware of the dial's existence.
Dials: Unusual

Frank King

September 2015
Page 8

The Magnetic Azimuth Dial

This article explores the design and function of magnetic azimuth dials, where the compass needle indicates the time. Using historical examples by Nicolas Crucefix and Charles Bloud, it details methods for calibration, dealing with magnetic declination, and construction techniques suitable for portable instruments.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Portable, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling

Mike Cowham

September 2015
Page 12

Cakes from the 2015 Conference

A brief pictorial item featuring photographs of cakes from the 2015 Conference.
The BSS and Members

September 2015
Page 13

Artistic Images of Sundials

A statistical study analysing the popularity of artistic images (Earth, Sun, Man, God, Water, Air, Fire) used as decorative elements on 339 British sundials. It categorises sundials into 'Decorative' and 'Functional', and discusses trends between 'old' (pre-1900) and 'modern' designs.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout

Valery Dmitriev

September 2015
Page 16

Alan Cook—Obituary

Obituary for Alan Cook, who died in March 2015. He made a considerable contribution to the Mass Dial Group, notably by compiling the complete Register for Yorkshire, which was published as two monographs by the Society.
Dials: Mass Dials, The BSS and Members

Tony Wood

September 2015
Page 17

The Shetland Islands: Reporting on Britain’s Most Northerly Sundial

Report on the discovery and registration (SRN 7704) of a lighthouse sundial adjacent to the Esha Ness Lighthouse (60° 29.3′ N). It discusses the dial's distinctive fluted cast iron pedestal and its link to the famous Stevenson family of lighthouse builders.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials

Doug Bateman

September 2015
Page 19

In the Footsteps of Thomas Ross. Part 12: A Foray into England

Discusses Thomas Ross's sketches and descriptions of two sundials found in Berwick-upon-Tweed (Holy Trinity Church and the Old Bridge). The article explores the historical ambiguity of Berwick's status between Scotland and England and recent restorations of the dials.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials

Dennis Cowan

September 2015
Page 20

Who Were the Makers of these Attractive ‘Flower’ Dials?

Investigates small ivory diptych dials decorated with flowers or animals, dating to around 1720, possibly originating from Austria (latitude 46.6° N). Details common features, such as the style of the numeral '2', and suggests they were made for ladies due to their size and decoration.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout

Mike Cowham

September 2015
Page 22

Analysis of a Roman Portable Dial

A novel analysis of a Roman portable altitude dial from Oxford’s Museum of the History of Science. It explores how the instrument determines unequal hours from solar altitude, discusses the underlying mathematical model, the use of latitude and declination scales, and provides an error analysis.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling

Frank King

September 2015
Page 30

The Nature in Art Museum Sundial, Gloucester

Details the complex design and construction process of a large, conical, declining and reclining sundial made from local Forest of Dean stone for Wallsworth Hall, Gloucester. Describes the challenges of working on an uneven surface and using horizontal dials to establish alignment.
Construction Projects, Dials: Unusual, Sundial Design & Layout

Ben Jones

September 2015
Page 33

Kirktonhall and its Obelisk (or Pawn?)

Identifies the obelisk sundial (SRN 1184) located in the foreground of Kirktonhall, West Kilbride. The dial was designed by Robert Simson, who served as Professor of Mathematics at the University of Glasgow in the 18th century.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials

September 2015
Page 34

A Little-Known Cambridge Sundial… and the Story of its Restoration

An account of the finding and restoration of the memorial sundial dedicated to Rudolf Cecil Hopkinson (died 1917) at Ascension Parish Burial Ground, Cambridge. It includes the history of the prominent Hopkinson family and details the reconstruction and fitting of the simple scrolled brass replacement gnomon.
Dials: Vertical, Restoration projects, Historical Dials

Ian R. Butson

September 2015
Page 40

Scottish Obelisks and the Kirktonhall Project (and a Chess Set)

Discusses the Kirktonhall Creative Media Group project to create 3D images and small-scale copies of unique Scottish obelisk sundials for a rooftop garden archive. The author also playfully suggests a sundial-themed chess set using various famous Scottish dials.
Construction Projects, Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout

Dennis Cowan

September 2015
Page 41

Postcard Potpourri 32: Pilling, Lancashire

Describes a postcard of the vertical sundial (SRN 1625) above the south door of St John the Baptist Church, Pilling, Lancashire, dated 1766. Notes the motto, "Thus Eternity approacheth" and the historical note that the gnomon was missing when recorded in 1992.
Dials: Vertical, Mottoes

Peter Ransom

September 2015
Page 42

Dialling Instruments in Holbein’s Painting ‘The Ambassadors’

Analysis of the dialling and astronomical instruments depicted in Hans Holbein's 1533 painting, ‘The Ambassadors’. Instruments covered include the torquetum, shepherd’s dial, universal equatorial dial, horary quadrant, and polyhedral dial, noting potential artistic inaccuracies.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials

Allan A. Mills

September 2015
Page 47

Reader’s Letter

Provides historical documentation (recovered notes) confirming written evidence of a dial being purchased and "set on my bruge" (drawbridge) at Little Saxham Hall, Suffolk, in 1505, during the reign of Henry VII, predating Nicolaus Kratzer's popularisation of dials.
Historical Dials

John Davis

September 2015
Page 48

The ‘Pelican Dial’ Picture at Bromley House

Identifies an etching on loan to the BSS Library at Bromley House as a depiction of the cubical pillar dial, commonly called the ‘Pelican Dial’, at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. The etching was produced by artist Henry G. Walker (1876–1932).
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Cube

Tony Wood