- Home
- /
- Sundial Encyclopaedia
- /
- June 2016
June 2016
The articles link to the specific page in a PDF optimised for speed. If you want the whole issue, you can download it here, but the files from earlier years can be quite large.
June 2016
Page 1
Page 1
This issue covers the Liverpool Conference, including accounts of the talks, awards, and photographic competition. It announces that Christine Northeast’s article "‘The Moving Sundial of Ardrossan’" was the ‘Most Enjoyed Article 2015’. The editorial team encourages readers to submit new articles, especially those detailing historical interests or new sundial construction projects.
The BSS and Members
June 2016
Page 2
Page 2
Investigation into a rare 1775 brass horizontal dial commissioned by William Hughes of Bryngola, Anglesey. The dial features complex furniture (EoT scale, transversals, geographical locations) and a questionable coat of arms. Metallurgical analysis suggests it was a custom cast piece, possibly engraved by a specialist working for the Owen clockmaking dynasty in Llanrwst.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 6
Page 6
Examination of a postcard featuring an impressive horizontal dial, not listed in the BSS Register, at The High Hall. The dial likely dates to 1934 and carries the motto "summer time" and the initials A.K., suggesting it was the work of pioneer photographer Alex Keighley, using old millstones.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 7
Page 7
Research into the elegant, unusual sundial at Lennoxlove, featuring a statue of a lady carrying the multi-faced dial on her head. Although dated 1679 (DMG) and previously located at North Barr, the author suggests the statue was added later (19th century) by the Blantyre family, possibly modelled on the wax effigy of Frances Theresa Stewart, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox.
Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 13
Page 13
Description of a new direct east-facing moon dial commissioned for a client. The dial's gnomon is modelled on the nodus star of the Albi cathedral dial. It can function as a sundial using a chart located nearby, which also provides Equation of Time data.
Construction Projects, Dials: Nocturnals, Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time
June 2016
Page 14
Page 14
An analysis of a vertical dial in Saint-Bouize, France, revealing traces of two earlier dials beneath the modern one. One early dial might pre-date 1500, featuring a waterwheel-like star design; the third dial’s hour lines were reconstructed based on existing gnomon holes.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 15
Page 15
The author supports the view that the purported ‘Viking sun compass’ is not a navigational device. Summarizing historical analyses from 1954, the object found in Greenland rubble was rejected as inaccurate likely purely decorative, with suggestions that it might have been a bread mould.
June 2016
Page 15
Page 15
Provides further details on the East–West sundial presented by Kitchener (previously covered in the March 2016 issue). The author notes a similar dial appeared in an auction catalogue, suggesting it wasn't a unique design by Kitchener himself. The dial works at any latitude by tilting and was likely made by a French instrument maker.
Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 16
Page 16
Report on the Society’s fifth award scheme (2010–2015), which resulted in fourteen submissions (including one restoration and one reproduction) from three continents. Certificates were awarded to all accurate and well-designed entrants, with several highly commended. Brief summaries of dials by David Brown, Tim Chalk, Tony Moss, Charles Perry, and others are provided.
Construction Projects, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
June 2016
Page 19
Page 19
Discusses threats to sundials, including vandals, thieves, and wandering elephants. It reports that the spherical dial at London Zoo is incorrectly inclined because it was "nudged by an elephant" years ago, and the subsequent re-installation failed to correct the orientation.
Dials: Equatorial
June 2016
Page 20
Page 20
Continuation of the series, analyzing eight Scottish church sundials documented by Thomas Ross in 1892. Many are located on the south-west corner, often with two faces, suggesting afternoon services. Locations discussed include Yarrow (1640), Cortachy (1675), Inveresk (1735, by Archibald Handasyde), and Glencorse (1699).
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 26
Page 26
Examination of a small, nominally square horizontal dial believed to date from circa 1590, despite being advertised as circa 1800. Features typical of the period include hand-hammered brass, inward-facing, punched numerals, quarter-hour dots, and a latitude set for London (51.5°), though the delineation suggests 55.9°.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 29
Page 29
Review of photographs from a 1908 book, The Gardens of England, illustrating grand sundials in prominent gardens. Many featured pedestal dials, which appear to have since vanished or been moved, highlighting the disappearance of such features due to changing fashion, damage, or theft. Locations include Clumber Park (armillary sphere) and Guy’s Cliff.
Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials
June 2016
Page 34
Page 34
A list of over 200 sundials newly reported to the BSS Register in 2015, ranging from the 17th to 21st centuries. Examples include a 1540 wooden dial, a 1799 horizontal dial by Liverpool clockmaker Thomas Harrison, an exquisite square dial installed for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, and a modern spiral analemmatic dial.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
June 2016
Page 39
Page 39
A crossword puzzle provided for the enjoyment of members. Most answers relate to sundialling concepts, makers, and terminology, with five answers unconnected to the subject.
The BSS and Members
June 2016
Page 40
Page 40
Report on the competition held at the Liverpool Conference, where results were determined by a vote from attending members. Ian Butson’s entry, "Does anyone have the right time, please?" won first place, followed by Darek Oczki’s and Margaret Ribchester’s entries.
The BSS and Members
June 2016
Page 44
Page 44
A report on the 2016 Conference talks, including Geoff Parsons on a polar dial in Darwin, Fred Sawyer on self-orientating dials, John Davis on the Bulletin, and Seb Falk on medieval astronomical instruments. Also covered are the Sundial Awards and Photographic Competition results.
The BSS and Members
June 2016
Page 48
Page 48
Formal minutes of the AGM held on 16 April 2016 under the new Charitable Incorporated Organisation constitution. The 2015 accounts and trustees' report were accepted, Bill Visick was re-elected as trustee, and Independent Examiners Ltd was reappointed.
The BSS and Members