St Andrew’s Parish Church, Coryton

There has been some dispute about the date of this dial on the church tower but a close examination shows 1647 faintly but definitely engraved either side of the lower part of the circular dial plate. For once, the name of the Rector, William Williams takes precedence at the top of the dial over that of the churchwarden, George Horwill at the bottom. Outside the two concentric circles outlining the chapter ring is a third and fainter circle, the point of which is not clear. Mrs Crowley thought it might be a guide line for the engraver. The hours VI - VI are shown undivided and there is a sun at the root of the gnomon whose rays are alternately straight and wavy. This said to indicate that the sun gives both heat and light. The dial measures 300mw x 450mmh.