TOTNES . DEVON . ST MARY

GRADE 1 ✣ A fine Perpendicular church on the site of Benedictine Priory, standing proudly near the centre of the town and visible from some distance away. Mainly built mid C15 using much red sandstone. The Grade denotes the importance of the building, and the interior offers much for the visitor. Also, see the splendid Norman motte and bailey castle nearby. 50.4319 / -3.6878 / SX802604

SCRATCH DIAL

The dial is in a poor state, and tucked away on a buttress at E end of the church. It was clearly relocated from the sunny side at some time, thereafter serving a decorative function at best.

There are ±8 lines radiating from a large or enlarged gnomon hole. Unusually, they terminate in large pocks that are graduated down in size to noon and (as far as one can tell now) upwards LRQ from the noon line. At some stage the lowest holes and the bottom right corner were badly damaged but despite the remedial mortar, it is just possible to see that there were ‘afternoon holes’.

GSS Category: Scratch Dial; Dial in unusual position; Devon Scratch Dial

Credits: Erika Clarkson, for her detailed photos of the dial; wigulf . wiki . cc / os for the header image; Parish website for the view of Totnes and the church