Cornish Sundial – GAUDIUM SUB SOLE . SUNDIALS . MEDIEVAL TO MODERN

PAUL . PENZANCE . CORNWALL . St Pol de Leon – Vertical Dial 1810

Published on December 9, 2023 by Rolling HarbourLeave a comment

ST POL de LEON . PAUL . CORNWALL

GRADE I ✣ C15; enlarged 1600; Restoration 1875. A most interesting church set on the hill above the famous small fishing village of Mousehole. St Pol has much to offer, not least a memorial to Dolly Pentreath, supposed last monoglot Cornish speaker; and a fine example of a coffin stone in the lychgate. The village churchyard has a small maze with a wonderful view LINK. Congenial pub. 50.0896 / -5.5461 / SW464270

DIAL

BSS notes that the engraving is excellent and remains clear to this day. The half hour lines each have a fleur de lys and all the lines originate from the sun’s rays around the gnomon root. Caroline Martin’s delightful small book on Cornish Sundials notes the interesting and unusual gnomon. To which one adds that the gnomon points to XI rather than noon.

MRS CROWLEY

One benefit from a recent visit to the Penzance area was to make the acquaintance of Mrs Crowley and her remarkable sketch books of the dials of Devon and Cornwall. Her progress around both counties in the 1950s produced dozens of beautifully produced drawings of dials. The details are so closely observed and the drawings so clear that it is difficult to imagine how she managed the task.

On this page, Mrs Crowley – who usually drew compete dials – has focussed on 3 dials with similar designs on the ogee tops above the gnomon. I think it probable that she chose not to make drawings of the complete dials because she was so taken with the similar depictions of Old Father Time with his scythe and hourglass. All 3 churches are within 10 miles of each other.

COFFIN STONE . ST POL de LEON . CORNWALL

GSS Category: Vertical Dial; Cornish Sundial; Sundial Drawings; Coffin Stone;

All photos: Keith Salvesen

BOCONNOC PARISH CHURCH . CORNWALL – Vertical Dial (1716)

Published on September 22, 2022 by Rolling HarbourLeave a comment

BOCONNOC PARISH CHURCH . CORNWALL

GRADE I † The Church forms part of the Boconnoc Estate and has no Dedication*. Probably C12 origins as the Manor Chapel; gradual development; restored 1873. Now in the care of the Cornwall Historic Churches Trust. 10 m SW of Liskeard. 50.4159 / -4.6099 / SX146605

DIAL

The time-worn dial is set into the apex of the porch and canted westwards. Dated 1716, it is also inscribed with a set of 3 double initials RC, DT, & TG. ‘RC’ is in a different style, and the date – perhaps significantly – is below the two other pairs of initials. Possibly the latter installed the dial in honour of the former.

The dial shows 1/4 as well as 1/2 hours. The 12 of noon is replaced by a cross. IIII is used for IV. The gnomon is presumably not original, but has clearly been in situ for a considerable time.

*Boconnoc Parish Church – Sundial dated 171*6

* Sadly no St Boconnoc is listed in the Ox. Book of Saints)

GSS Category: Vertical Dial. Old (post medieval) Dial

Photos: Keith Salvesen; Header CHCT

TRELISSICK GARDENS . CORNWALL – CORNUBIAE HORTOS AMABANT

Published on August 19, 2021August 19, 2021 by Rolling Harbour2 Comments

A modern dial in the walled garden at Trelissick NT, with a rather charming motto for the couple commemorated ‘Spouses (who) loved gardens’. It may be unique: I have found no other example, and it does not appear in Margaret Gatty’s compendious collection of Cornish sundial mottos.