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Ian R. Butson
March 2020
Page 29
Page 29
A biography of Gerald Raymond Dunn (1917–2002), detailing his military career, farming attempts, and later ventures, including tracing unclaimed estates and inventing the Cruiserfix solar navigator. He undertook metalwork training and became a sundial maker, specializing in equinoctial ring dials. He also supplied a simple solar compass for a Sahara expedition.
Construction Projects, Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Portable, The BSS and Members
September 2019
Page 21
Page 21
A description of a recently recovered slate sundial by Richard Melvin, typical of his finely engraved work. The dial includes an EoT correction scale, a compass rose, 70 geographical locations, and four smaller corner dials indicating times in New York, Alexandria, Isle of Borneo, and New Zealand.
Dials: Unusual, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
December 2018
Page 8
Page 8
Examines two memorials in Tollesbury, Essex. One is a polar cross sundial (a cruciform equatorial dial), inscribed with a reference to Apparent Time. The other, for his polymath father Gerald Dunn, features a symbolic vertical dial engraving and references the patented "Cruiserfix" Solar Navigator, which uses a polar cross dial for navigation.
Dials: Polar, Historical Dials
March 2017
Page 24
Page 24
Investigation of a large, corroded horizontal dial by precision instrument maker John Bird (c. 1709–1776) at Haxey, Lincolnshire. By analyzing the division markers, the Equation of Time scale was determined to be applicable to the post-1752 Gregorian calendar era. The dial is likely associated with Dr William Cotton, vicar from 1754 to 1762.
Dials: Horizontal, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
December 2017
Page 9
Page 9
Reports on the protracted restoration of a vertical painted wooden sundial at St Mary’s Church, near the historic Rothschild estates. Due to extensive rot, a new plywood dial was constructed, the gnomon replaced, and the hour lines were corrected based on the wall's measured declination.
Dials: Vertical, Restoration projects
December 2017
Page 21
Page 21
A detailed report on the BSS one-day meeting, summarising talks on topics including the Fort Belan sundial, DIY heliochronometers, multi-centre delineation, promotion via social media, the astronomical Culpeper dial, the Gnomonical Universal Nomograph (GUN), and the mechanical generation of the Equation of Time using equation clocks.
Dials: Heliochronometer, Equation of Time, Historical Dials, 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
September 2016
Page 26
Page 26
Reports on a vertical dial (SRN 6098) at King’s Head House, Beaconsfield, previously obscured by a large magnolia tree that has now been severely pruned. Although revealed, the dial is incorrectly delineated as direct south-facing, causing it to read 20–30 minutes earlier than true solar time for the wall's 14° east declination.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2015
Page 34
Page 34
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
December 2015
Page 20
Page 20
A short conversational piece reflecting on the motto "Tempus Fugit" (Time Flies), which is seen on clocks and sundials. It notes its rare appearance on a gravestone in Greetwell, Lincolnshire, serving as a reminder to dial recorders.
Mottoes
December 2015
Page 37
Page 37
A report on the annual BSS Newbury meeting featuring various talks and exhibits. Highlights include Irene Brightmer’s discovery of a globe dial within a stone sphere, Martin Jenkins' DIY garden projects, and Frank King's demonstration of an umbrella as an astronomical instrument.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Hemispherical, Dials: Unusual, The BSS and Members
September 2014
Page 45
Page 45
Report on the special 25th anniversary photographic competition, where results were determined solely by a conference vote by participating members. Mike Shaw won first and third place with 'Chicago Sunset' and 'Frozen in Time,' while Rainer Jacob came second.
The BSS and Members
December 2014
Page 20
Page 20
A detailed report on the restoration of a badly worn carved wooden vertical dial, dated 1765, found on Nazeing Church tower. Due to the dial's poor condition, a new chestnut wood replacement was crafted by Barrie Winter. The design analysis confirmed the motto “Meridies Solarium” and the inclusion of solar azimuth lines.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, Sundial Design & Layout
March 2013
Page 37
Page 37
A technical description of a complex slate sundial featuring a rotatable star-shaped disc engraved with worldwide place names. The author explains its design, restoration, and probable use.
Dialling Tools, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual
September 2013
Page 20
Page 20
Review of the BSS Photographic Competition 2012–13, detailing the scoring changes and normalization process used for judging. Elzbieta Niedbalka won first place with ‘Sunny bird feeder’, Mike Shaw was second, and Mike Cowham took third place.
The BSS and Members
March 2012
Page 34
Page 34
This section contains three book reviews: "The Bagnold Sun-Compass: History and Utilization" by Kuno Gross, "Essex Sundials" by Peter Meadows, and "A Dial in your Poke: A Book of Portable Sundials" by Mike Cowham, offering insights into each publication.
Book Reviews
June 2011
Page 33
Page 33
This article reports on the 2010 Photographic Competition, detailing the judging process, the unprecedented triple win by Mike Cowham, and the top ten entries. It also announces the shift to a biennial competition schedule to encourage more participation.
The BSS and Members
September 2011
Page 8
Page 8
This article details the results of the British Sundial Society's 2010-11 Photographic Competition's 'Conference Vote' segment. Delegates at the Wyboston Lakes conference had the opportunity to vote for their favourite photographs, with Dennis Cowan's 'Sail into the sun' winning, and Dariusz Oczki's 'It’s not fair, he always gets more sun' coming in second.
The BSS and Members
September 2010
Page 27
Page 27
This article describes three scaphe dials found in close proximity in Buckinghamshire: one at All Saints Church, Hillesden (1601); one at The Five Elms pub in Weedon; and another at The Manor House, Creslow. It discusses their designs, orientations, and potential local influence.
Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2008
Page 136
Page 136
This article details a survey of sundials in Hertfordshire, reporting 56 fixed dials, 24 missing pedestals, and 68 mass dials across 27 church locations. The author highlights various interesting examples, including commemorative dials, vertical dials on cottages, historic horizontal dials, and unusual designs like a pestle and mortar scaphe dial.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2007
Page 152
Page 152
This article explores the mythical creature known as a Sciapod, known for sheltering under its own enormous foot. It highlights a unique 15th-century carving of a sciapod in St Mary’s Church, Dennington, Suffolk, and draws a humorous parallel between sundial enthusiasts and sciapods. The church also features medieval benches and mass dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
February 2006
Page 22
Page 22
This article highlights the ongoing use of portable sundials, observed during a visit to Kentwell Hall. A re-enactor demonstrated a modern reproduction, similar to those found on the Mary Rose, to tell time within a Tudor setting. The piece celebrates the enduring relevance and practical application of these historical timekeeping instruments.
Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
September 2005
Page 104
Page 104
Contains a series of letters from readers. Topics include a discussion on whether two shadows from the sun and moon can be seen simultaneously, a stained glass sundial in a church, and the origins of an equation of time table.
June 2003
Page 61
Page 61
A collection of letters from readers discussing various topics, including a churchyard sundial at Hernhill, correcting an article on Piazzi and his meridian line, and a historical sundial pillar at Little Wenlock.