ST JOHN THE BAPTIST . STOCKTON . WILTS
GRADE I ✣ Late C12, C13, early C14, C15 and C17; restoration 1879. Interior has much of interest, described in detail by PEV. Two squints. One of several fine churches in the Wylye Valley, ranging from ruined Sutton Veny via tiny Tytherington small, medium to large. Most have at least one dial, all are worth a visit. 8m SE of Warminster 51.1433 / 2.0272 / ST981382
DIALS
St John is the supreme multi-dial church in the Wylye valley. BSS lists 17 in its records (some with circumspection). Although locations are noted, there are no drawings / images. It isn’t possible / practical to try to match my photos to the given locations in a helpful way. I have tried to sort indisputable dials from the probable, possible, and ‘not really’. My search started at the E end and mostly went W along the S side. I found 17 dials, from indisputable to some that I think meet the broad criteria.
There are 2 clusters on the ‘red’ buttresses: dials 6 – 9; and dials 11 -13
There are too many dials for detailed comment, with a variety of mostly conventional designs. A few may be rotated / re-sited. I have tried to display photos of the dials informatively and in approximate sequence E to W. A separate section deals with other candidates.
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DIAL 1
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DIAL 2
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DIAL 3
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DIAL 4
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DIAL 5
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DIAL 6
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DIAL 7
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DIAL 8
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DIAL 9
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DIAL 10
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DIAL 11
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DIAL 12
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DIAL 13
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DIAL 14
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DIAL 15
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DIAL 16
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DIAL 17
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DEBATABLE DIALS
PLAUSIBLE IN SOME WAY?
UNLIKELY / NOT AT ALL
GSS Category: Scratch Dials; Mass Dials; Multiple Dials; Medieval Church Sundials
All photos: Keith Salvesen