Scratch Dial – Page 19 – GAUDIUM SUB SOLE . SUNDIALS . MEDIEVAL TO MODERN

CREWKERNE – ST BARTHOLOMEW

Published on January 14, 2021January 18, 2021 by Rolling HarbourLeave a comment

DEDICATION † ST BARTHOLOMEW C15, Saxon / Norman origins

LISTING † GRADE I

LOCATION † Close to the centre of this pleasant country town, prominent but not dominating. Classy Perpendicular 50.885 / -2.798 / ST439098

DIAL † From his survey of this area in June 1915, DEH noted:

120. This dial is on the first buttress from the e. end of the chancel. It is 4 feet 5 inches above the ground, the noon-line is 3 inches in length, the stylehole is 3\ inches in depth by half of an inch in diameter, and the aspect is s. by 10° e. Type 3. June 8th, 1915.

The lines on this dial are distinct in sunlight, but difficult to see in ordinary light. There is an enlarged hole at the end of what is probably the mass line.

NOTES † DEH was right about the visibility of the details – and 100 years has not improved it. Excellent gargoyles and hunky punks (some lewd). Adjacent Undials.

Crewkerne - St Bartholomew Scratch Dial (Keith Salvesen) — St Batholomew . Crewkerne . Som. Buttress Scratch Dial

*St Batholomew . Crewkerne . Som. Buttress Scratch Dial* Gallery

*St Batholomew . Crewkerne . Som. Buttress Scratch Dial*

*St Batholomew . Crewkerne . Som.* Hunky Punks

GSS Category – Scratch Dial

HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE – ST MARY

Published on January 9, 2021January 20, 2021 by Rolling HarbourLeave a comment

DEDICATION † ST MARY – 1123 (on earlier site)

LISTING † II*

LOCATION † SW of Yeovil, near E & W Coker 50.9048 / -2.6949 / ST512119

An extended village close to the A30 yet approached by lanes (as they are actually named) rather than roads. A peaceful feel to it, especially at dusk when this poor photo was taken. The church had ‘much work’ carried out in C15 and C18. Tower probably of 1123, in three stages, font possibly from same date. BLB

DIAL † At the W. end and quite easily overlooked. DEH did not investigate or list it in 1915. A full circle, one clear radial and a square style hole. Possible trace of outer circle top left.

NOTES † Not mentioned in BLB, HE. Not in TWC extensive list of Somerset dials. I found only one reference to this dial that led me here; since then, one passing reference to a sundial in the porch – perhaps this dial relocated in C15?

NOTADIAL † A plausible dial location quite low on arch of the W. door; apparent style hole but no detectable marks

GSS Category – Scratch Dial

WORMINGTON . GLOS – ST KATHERINE

Published on January 6, 2021November 17, 2021 by Rolling HarbourLeave a comment

DEDICATION † ST KATHERINE (also ST CATHERINE*)

LISTING † Grade ll*

LOCATION † Midway between Winchcombe & Evesham, Glos 52.0263 / -1.9447 / SP038364

*see BLB, HE

A small pretty village and an attractive simple church with a bellcote dating from C15 with earlier C12 foundations. Restoration c. 1800. Of note is a Saxon Cross / Crucifix dated to C9, originally discovered elsewhere in the village and perhaps from Winchcombe Abbey. Also, the ‘Savage Brass’, early C17. Several other churches nearby also have scratch dials; further afield also.

DIAL † Not readily visible. Located anachronistically on a corner under a modern lantern and next to a plastic drainpipe. It is quite large, with a pair of full circles and a variety of dots, some of which seem unlikely to relate to the dial.

St Katherine . Wormington . Glos. Double circle scratch dial

NOTES † BLB mentions ‘Five C12 corbels below the bell turret including bears’ heads and a pair of human faces’. I missed these…

SANDFORD ORCAS – ST NICHOLAS

Published on January 3, 2021January 6, 2021 by Rolling HarbourLeave a comment

DEDICATION † ST NICHOLAS – early C14 / C15

LISTING † Grade 1

LOCATION † Sandford Orcas, Dorset 50.9876 / -2.5394 / ST622210

A village sunk in a valley just 4 miles north of Sherborne yet seemingly isolated in place and time by long narrow lanes. The church is on higher ground, by a fine manor house.

DIAL † Well-marked scratch dial on the E. side of the attractively simple porch, angled slightly into the arch. Since the porch is a C15 addition, the dial (which seems quite early) may perhaps have been relocated – it sits slightly awkwardly.

BLB LINK † HE LINK for Church (no mention of this dial)

NOTES † Very few references to this dial. Not mentioned in standard sources eg RCHM, or (as far as I have seen) online. However, included in Cole’s list for Dorset (p.10).

GSS Category – Scratch Dial

SUTTON BINGHAM – ALL SAINTS

Published on December 21, 2020January 4, 2021 by Rolling HarbourLeave a comment

DEDICATION † ALL SAINTS – C12 / C13

LISTING † Grade 1

LOCATION † Closworth, Somerset (nr Yeovil) 50.8978 / -2.6443 / ST547111

Close to the W. shore of Sutton Bingham reservoir, tucked behind the Manor House up a track, a small and simple church dated from 1111AD with a wonderful interior, in particular the well-preserved wall paintings / murals of C13 / C14. One of the bells is dated to c1250

DIAL † DEH – dial 220 Type 3 June 16th, 1915

“This dial, which is faint, contains few lines and is probably in its primitive condition. The wall is Norman work and does not appear to have been restored. is on the s.w. corner of the nave. It is about 6 feet above the ground, the noonline is 9 inches in length, the stylehole, which is in a joint, is filled and does not show, and the aspect is s. by 10° e”

*All Saints Church . Sutton Bingham . Somerset*

GSS Category – Scratch Dial

THORNFORD (1) . DORSET . ST MARY MAGDALENE – Rare Sill Scratch Dials

Published on December 20, 2020August 20, 2022 by Rolling HarbourLeave a comment

St Mary Magdalene Thornford Dorset (Keith Salvesen) — St Mary Magdalene, Thornford, Dorset

DEDICATION † ST MARY MAGDALENE – C14 / C15, later restoration

LISTING † Grade 2*

LOCATION † S. of the Sherborne – Yeovil A30 road, approx half way between the towns 50.9175 / 50°55’3″N / ST603132

One of the larger local villages, with more facilities than most inc. a school, a pub, a nearby station & a cricket club. In Doomsday book as Torneford

DIALS † Two unusual ‘sill’ scratch dials, both in the quoins of the E. corner of the window sills either side of the blocked chancel doorway, with the window jambs acting as gnomon. There is a rare internal dial in the chancel, to be featured when access to the church is possible (Covid).

ADDENDUM 2022: the rare interior dial on N side of the Chancel is now written up HERE

St Mary Magdalene Thornford Dorset Scratch dial 1a — Thornford – window scratch dial 1a

St Mary Magdalene Thornford Dorset Scratch dial 1b — *Thornford – window scratch dial 1*b

St Mary Magdalene Thornford Dorset Scratch dial 2a — *Thornford – window scratch dial 2a*

St Mary Magdalene Thornford Dorset Scratch dial 2b — *Thornford – window scratch dial* 2b

NOTES † Stone screen, c15 font, early organ, a number of Consecration crosses, from badly eroded Hamstone to clear-cut. Tithe Tomb in the churchyard with a basin into which tenants contributed to the wealth of the Lord of the Manor by making an annual payment ‘on St Thomas’s Day’ to be allowed to keep their own hay

St Mary Magdalene Thornford Dorset Scratch dial location — Dial locations: E. corner of each window sill, jamb acting as gnomon

GSS Category – Scratch Dial

WRAXALL – ST MARY

Published on December 18, 2020November 4, 2021 by Rolling HarbourLeave a comment

DEDICATION † ST MARY – C12 nave and chancel; later additions include bellcote & S. porch

LISTING † Grade 1

LOCATION † North-west of Maiden Newton 50.8054 / -2.6035 / ST575008

A very small secluded Dorset hamlet (comprising Lower & Higher) with a handful of houses, a handsome ford, and 2 rushing feeder streams for the upper River Frome.

DIALS † ‘On S. wall of nave, remains of two scratch-dials, reused’ (BHO)

GSS Category – Scratch Dial

Photos – Keith Salvesen

MINTERNE MAGNA – ST ANDREW

Published on December 15, 2020March 16, 2021 by Rolling HarbourLeave a comment

DEDICATION † St Andrew – early c15 (Saxon foundation)

LISTING † Grade 2*

LOCATION † Between Sherborne and Dorchester 50.837330 / -2.484810 / ST 6591.0426

A flint and Ham stone church in a small hamlet near the head of the Cerne Valley. Dominated by Minterne House (rebuilt 1900) and its extensive gardens with specialist trees & plants. Good walking country with a Hardy feeling. Minterne Parva is 1/2 mile S.

DIAL † S. Nave, W. of 1st window. Eroded, 3 clear radials. Square style hole.

NOTES † Dial not mentioned in RCHM / BHO / BLB / HE – only refs found in BE & a Dorset Life article; no query dials; 6 (possibly 7) Consecration Crosses