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June 2018
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 2018
Page 1
Page 1
Discusses the importance of the BSS Register of Fixed Dials, maintained by John Foad, and urges members to report new or updated dials. It notes the lack of a Register of Mass Dials and solicits help to assess the raw data held at the Borthwick Institute. Frank King also wishes dial-maker Tony Moss a happy retirement.
The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 2
Page 2
Investigates a rare 1706 cross dial in Moorfields, London, made by Robert Trevitt, a painter, as a parish boundary marker and memorial to the Battle of Ramillies. The article explores why cross dials were uncommon in England, suggesting their imagery was historically considered idolatrous due to religious connotations.
Dials: Polar, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Mottoes
June 2018
Page 6
Page 6
Examines four historical sundials in West Fife, Scotland, following the work of Thomas Ross. Locations include two dials in Limekilns (one possibly dated 1689), Culross Palace, and the restored Pitfirrane Castle pedestal. The replacement dial at Pitfirrane features the Halkett motto Fides Sufficit.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials
June 2018
Page 9
Page 9
Laments the absence of a comprehensive Mass Dial Register, similar to the existing Fixed Dial Register. The letter notes that raw data exists at the Borthwick Institute and proposes creating either a full Mass Dial Register or an abridged version to list church locations, dedications, and the number of mass dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 10
Page 10
Describes historical French mass dials, often larger than English equivalents, found mainly in areas linked historically to Britain. Examples include dials with four, six, or twelve segments, often carved in relief, some of which are marked with letters representing the Canonical Hours (PR, TE, ME, NO).
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 2018
Page 12
Page 12
Features a postcard of the bell tower at the Basilica de Guadalupe, which integrates various time-telling devices. The tower includes a direct south-facing sundial (reclining), an analogue clock, an Aztec calendar representation, and an astronomical clock showing the sun, moon, and Zodiac symbols.
Dials: Unusual, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2018
Page 13
Page 13
Reports on over one hundred dials added to the Fixed Dial Register in 2017, presenting 18 selected examples. These include a historical horizontal dial, a Francis Barker cross dial, a moon dial, an armillary sphere, and a stained glass millennium dial. Dials by makers Thomas Woodcock and John Bird are highlighted.
Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Polar, Dials: Stained Glass, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2018
Page 17
Page 17
Details a commission for a vertical sundial incorporating a circular graphic of the Enoch calendar, which follows a 364-day year. The calendar graphic, divided into 52 weeks and 12 months, is superimposed but operates independently of the solar delineation due to the difference between the calendar and the true solar year.
Construction Projects, Dials: Vertical, Sundial Design & Layout
June 2018
Page 20
Page 20
Report on the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers' event aimed at showing young Londoners career paths in horology. BSS member David Brown designed a paper sundial featuring the BSS logo, which was distributed to the 950 attending children, many of whom were amazed that a sundial could work.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Portable
June 2018
Page 22
Page 22
Describes the Hotel Casino Ridola, Matera, Italy, which features a painted sundial dating from 1900 on its front façade. The dial schematic is also etched onto the glass entrance door and used on hotel paperwork. The dial was lovingly restored when the residence was sold to the present owners in 2003.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
June 2018
Page 24
Page 24
A valedictory article detailing the author's final metal sundial commissions for Newcastle High School for Girls. He recounts the challenges of etching brass and ultimately hand-engraving the lines to ensure durability. The article marks the conclusion of his two decades of intensive dial production.
Construction Projects, Dials: Horizontal, The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 28
Page 28
The author describes creating seven miniature sundials as gifts for people who assisted him in his life or gnomonic projects. Examples include 'Peterhof' for an art historian, 'The Swallow' for a supportive official, and 'White Angel', a copy of the dial at his parents' grave.
Construction Projects, Dials: Portable, Dials: Unusual
June 2018
Page 30
Page 30
Focuses on the 2013 polar granite sundial in Teddy Park, Jerusalem, designed by Maty Grünberg. The dial is symbolic of cooperation, achieved through the collaboration of Arab and Jewish participants during its construction. It uses an aperture nodus to mark key dates, including the International Day of Tolerance.
Construction Projects, Dials: Polar
June 2018
Page 33
Page 33
A short note confirming that the gavel, crafted for the Society by John Lester, was utilised by Chairman Frank King to officially commence the BSS Annual General Meeting.
The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 34
Page 34
Report on the NASS Conference in St Louis, held to coincide with the 2017 solar eclipse. Visits included the Korean War Memorial vertical dial and the Missouri Botanical Gardens, featuring a Richard Schmoyer Sunquest dial. An Ottoman-style horizontal dial displaying Italian and Babylonian hours was also seen.
The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 37
Page 37
Summarises the results of the Photographic Competition held at the Norwich Annual Conference. David Le Conte won first place, Mike Shaw second, and Ian Butson third. The competition received 26 entries from eleven members, including participants from overseas.
The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 41
Page 41
Report on the conference, including presentations on modelling the Earth's terminator, developments in double horizontal dials, Brian Huggett's heliochronometer (Mark II), and research on sundial patentee E.G. Hewitt. The conference also featured tours of local historical dials and the Andrew Somerville Memorial Lecture.
Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Sundial Design & Layout, The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 47
Page 47
Reports that BSS member Anthony Turner was awarded the 2018 Paul Bunge Prize. The prize recognises outstanding contributions to the history of scientific instruments, honouring Anthony's lifetime achievements in astronomical and mathematical-physical instruments.
The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 48
Page 48
Official documentation of the Annual General Meeting held in Norwich. Graham Stapleton and Chris Williams were re-elected as charity trustees. Independent Examiners Ltd was appointed to examine the 2018 annual statement of accounts.
The BSS and Members
June 2018
Page 48
Page 48
Describes a sundial in Norwich located at Dial Square, a location that was significantly reduced in size in September 1923 and could now be considered "Dial Corner". The displacement occurred when a new bridge across the River Wensum necessitated the construction of an approach road that encroached upon the square.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials