Category: Wessex Sundials

MIDDLE CHINNOCK . SOMERSET . ST MARGARET – 2 Scratch Dials

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POSTED TO BE REVISED

ST MARGARET . MIDDLE CHINNOCK . SOMERSET

GRADE II* ♰ C12 origins with fine Norman arch and tympanum within the early C14 S porch; other early remnants. C14/C15 tower. Subsequent development and restorations; several phases of rebuilding C19. Of note: unusual sundial at the apex of the porch. This will be written up separately. There’s a charming calligraphed guide to the church on which, amongst the highlights, 2 scratch dials are mentioned. Roughly halfway between Yeovil and Crewkerne, on strangely-named Poop Hill. 50.9152 / -2.7523 / ST472131

DIALS

The dials are close together on the E side of the porch. They are plain holes without other visible dial-ish features or adornment – very much in the ‘doubtful’ category. Of note is that Dom Ethelbert Horne, during his exhaustive survey of all Somerset churches in early C20, did not include St Margaret in his records. However, the written church record suggests that scratch dial status was conferred some way into the past, rather than being a recent idea.

The likelihood of 2 dials in one small area, consisting only of a hole with not even a noon line between them, is pretty small. A very simple early dial might be superseded by a separate, more complex one in the fulness of time – sometimes on an adjacent stone. I’m not convinced by this pair. Probably I should find out what the church record reveals.

UPPER DIAL

LOWER DIAL

THE DIAL OVER THE PORCH WILL BE DEALT WITH SEPARATELY

GSS Category: Scratch Dial; Mass Dial; Gnomon Holes

All photographs: Keith Salvesen

ÉGLISE SAINT-JOHN-BAPTISTE . OMANVILLE-LE-ROQUE . MANCHE . FRANCE – Vertical Dial

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ÉGLISE SAINT-JOHN-BAPTISTE . OMANVILLEVILLE-LE-ROQUE

We visited this church rather late in the day, as dusk was falling. This was one of several vertical sundial churches in the area, but the images were so poor I didn’t use them. Having come across them again and made them somewhat more legible, I am adding them the series. The images speak for themselves, but not very loudly… At least the gnomon hole can be see.

GSS Category: Early vertical sundial France; Sundials Abroad

WINTERBORNE HOUGHTON . DORSET . ST ANDREW – Scratch Dial

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ST ANDREW . WINTERBORNE HOUGHTON . DORSET

GRADE II ✣ C13 origins. Rebuilt 1860s by T H Wyatt, using original material. Perp style with flint, banded brick, and rubble. C15 font. Loose links with owls and Thomas Hardy. A tiny village off the beaten track from Winterborne Stickland (3 scratch dials). 5m SW of Blandford Forum 50.8388 / -2.2566 / ST820043

DIAL

This simple configuration is very close to the category ‘Not-a-Dial’. It is 18″ above ground level, and set into an area of flint. The stone must be a re-sited remnant from the original church or some intermediate restoration. But is it likely ever to have been a marker of the passage of day?

GLP, the expert on the scratch dials of Dorset, puts this dial in the ‘doubtful’ category. He describes the circle with a single line pointing upwards, with a piece of iron (squarish) in the centre. Interestingly, he suggests that the dial might originally have been hand painted rather than having cut lines: there is an example of such a dial at Tolpuddle, quite nearby.

REVERSION

The ‘dial’, reverted, shows that the noon-line extends beyond the circumference, a fairly frequent way of emphasising the importance of that hour. The protruding rusty iron stud is a puzzle. It is accurately centred and perhaps was used to plug a gnomon hole. Possibly it had a purpose as a hook or a hanger now largely rusted away.

GSS Category: Scratch Dial; Dorset Scratch Dial; Mass Dial

All photos: Keith Salvesen / Rolling Harbour

WINTERBORNE STICKLAND . DORSET . ST MARY: DOUBLE-FACED VERTICAL DIAL

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ST MARY . WINTERBORNE STICKLAND . DORSET

GRADE 1 ✣ C13 origins; Tower ± 1600; considerable restoration C18. A charming country church, seemingly plain but with much to justify its listing. Tomb chamber. 2 (perhaps 3) scratch dials, written up separately. Graffiti: C17 & 18 initials & dates on responds of tower arch. 5m S of Blandford. Close-by St Andrew’s at W/B Houghton makes a pleasant short visit. 50.8409 / -2.2363 / ST834046

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SUNDIAL

A fine double-faced dial on the S. porch gable, angled SE and SW. Both faces match in design, with identical scrolled iron gnomons. BHO dates to C18th. BSS mentions Roman numerals, but I couldn’t find any trace even with close-up photos.

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SW FACE

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SE FACE

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Geograph image from c2010 for comparison of condition of stone and lichen coverage

GSS Category: Vertical Sundial; Double-faced Sundial; Porch Gable Sundial

All photos: Keith Salvesen except last, Geograph 2010

WINTERBOURNE STEEPLETON . DORSET . ST MICHAEL – Scratch Dials (revisited)

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ST MICHAEL . WINTERBOURNE STEEPLETON . DORSET

GRADE I † A fine early church in a lovely setting. C11 quoins to nave; C12 nave rebuilt; C14 3-stage W tower, porch; C15 chancel. Later alterations, restorations. Just W of Dorchester, yet seeming miles away in its peaceful valley. Visit Winterbourne Monkton while you are there (2 perhaps 3 dials). 50.7067 /  -2.5266 / SY629898

DIALS

Two dials are recorded. I last visited this church more than 2 years ago, in early evening sunshine but with shadows on the church. I have recently been back in better light to re-photograph the main dial; and to check for another rudimentary dial noted on the S buttress of the tower in a 1997 survey. I didn’t find it on my first visit.

DIAL 1

Dial 1 is located on a SW quoin stone of the nave. When examined in the 1990’s it was noted to be ‘behind a drainpipe’, which is no longer the case. By strange coincidence, when I revisited, the rest of the drainpipes were being repaired and repainted.

This is a straightforward 4-line morning dial with a pleasingly casual approach to straight lines. The two deeper incised lines suggest that late morning was the significant time of the day for observance.

DIAL 2

Dial 2 is so simple that I cannot claim to have discovered it this time round. It was recorded as being on S buttress of the tower, with 1 line a mere 45mm long, a small gnomon hole, and a pock LLQ . It was noted in 1997 as ‘very faint’. Although Dial 1 is mentioned in several places (eg BHO), I have found no additional reference to this tiny time marker. So for the second time I failed to find it, even in sunlight. However, a drawing was made and is all I can offer.

Do see the Saxon statue mentioned in the notice below (there is a similar one in Bradford on Avon), and indeed spend some time inside this interesting church.

GSS Category: Scratch Dial; Mass Dial; Eroded Dial

All photos Keith Salvesen; diagrams BSS

TOTNES . DEVON . ST MARY – Scratch Dial

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wigulf . wiki . cc / os

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

From the Parish website

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

TOTNES . DEVON . ST MARY – Vertical Dial

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wigulf . wiki . cc / os

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

VERTICAL DIAL

St Mary online

On the south wall of the church near the porch is a slate dial set in a stone frame. It declines west and shows the hours VII – VI divided into halves and quarters. Across the top is an inscription which reads In memoriam TWW 1903. Below it are the coordinates Lat 5020 ; Long 0340 W. Across the bottom of the dial is the quite common motto Ut Hora Sic Vita (Life is as an Hour).

The gnomon has a pierced nodus which causes a spot of light to appear on the dial plate. In my amateur experience, this is a relatively uncommon addition to a sundial’s capabilities.

GSS Category: Vertical Dial; Sundial with Nodus; Vertical Sundial Motto; Memorial Vertical Sundial

Photos: header, wigulf . wiki . cc / os; dial location, St Mary’s online; dial close-ups, BSS Bridol

Thanks to Erika Clarkson for giving me the details from a visit to St Mary’s, where she had found a scratch dial. I have written it up separately, being completely different in type and time.

MARTIN . HANTS . ALL SAINTS

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ALL SAINTS . MARTIN . WILTS

GRADE I † Early C12 origins; C13 chancel, tower; C14 / C15 transepts; other works then & later inc C18 spire, C19 restorations. A striking building in a small village just off the A354 Salisbury – Blandford Forum. Clock installed in honour of Winston Churchill 50.9754 / -1.9009 /  SU070195

DIALS

All Saints is a multiple dial church, with 8 listed in the BSS records. My dial count is 9. It’s a fine church, and dial-hunting was an easy pleasure. I have decided to let the dials speak for themselves without undue commentary on individual characteristics unless called for. Below the dials is an excellent article by the Hampshire Field Club that analyses all you need to know about each dial, and in particular the locations (for which I lost my notes).

BSS RECORDS

GALLERY OF 8 + 1 DIALS

DETAILED IMAGES

DIAL 1

DIAL 2

DIAL 3

DIAL 4

DIAL 5

DIAL 6

DIAL 7

DIAL 8

DIAL 9

This dial is included in the BSS records (bottom row LHS)

Volume VII Part I.pdf

Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club, XV , Pt. 3, p. 27a.

damerham-martin-dials-pooleDownload

GSS Category: Scratch Dial; Multiple Scratch Dial Church

WIMBORNE MINSTER . DORSET . ST CUTHBERGA – PILLAR DIAL

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Ethan Doyle White . Wiki. CC/OS

ST CUTHBERGA . WIMBORNE MINSTER . DORSET

The origins of the Minster date back to the C8. The building seen today dates from early C12 with development during subsequent centuries. Leaving aside the merits of the splendid building, the impressively large stone block on the S side is unmissable. The plinth alone is 6′ high; S face is 4′ wide; E & W faces are 3′ wide. N face has an inscribed tablet only.

DIAL DATES

The images featured below give a good idea of each face, gnomon, and relative aspects, so I won’t go into more detail. However there is a conundrum about dates. There was at least one relocation of the dial, and areas of restoration / repair are evident. The inscription on N face is This ancient sun-dial was removed from the gable of the South transept at its restoration 1891 and was erected here 1894 George E Richards [and] Charles H Gush Churchwardens.

As seen today, the date 1676 is given top left of the south face on new stone. There is no date in the corresponding position on the right side. However in T G W Henslow’s delightful Ye Sundial Booke (1st ed 1914), his charming drawing shows the date 1732 in the top right of the south face with no date on the left side. And more confusingly, in the Wills’s cigarette card sundial series (1928, see below), both dates are shown.

SOUTH

SOUTH WEST

WEST

NORTH WEST

NORTH

Malc1005 Tripadvisor

EAST

SOUTH EAST

Ye Sundial Booke . T G W Henslow

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MINSTER

WILLS’S CIGARETTE CARD SUNDIAL SERIES 1928

FRY’S CHOCOLATE CARD SUNDIAL SERIES

TARRANT CRAWFORD . DORSET . ST MARY – Scratch Dial

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ST MARY . TARRANT CRAWFORD . DORSET

LISTING Grade I ✣ C12 origins with abbey links; C12 chancel; C13 nave and refenestration, porch; C15, tower. An astonishing church beyond the scope of this project. Besides the building itself, there are wonderful early C14 wall paintings to admire, also C16 wagon roof & C13 coffin lids. Major restoration in 1911. A very unspoilt church retaining many medieval features PEV. In the care of CCT. 5m SE of Blandford Forum 50.8307 /  -2.1107 / ST922034

DIAL

A number of features make this dial rather special. It is inside an intriguing church; it is cut into the architrave of a (historically) relocated doorway; and the design is endearingly haphazard. There are 5 radials from the gnomon hole, mainly LLQ from (roughly) Terce to just past midday. The lines are uneven in length, depth, spacing and straightness ,not least because of the oddly squarish perimeter. One can’t tell what lies behind the cement repair, but it doesn’t seem that the perimeter continues beyond what one can see.

BSS Diagrams

APOTROPAIC CIRCLES

There are two circles cut into one of the window jamb, the lowest with a dot in the centre. These are a simple form of protection symbol, repelling evil and preventing it from entering the church. Some theorise that these and more complex designs (eg ‘daisy wheels’) trapped evil within the circle – so-called demon traps.

GSS Category: Scratch Dial; Mass Dial; Protection Mark, Apotropaic Symbol

All photos: Keith Salvesen