Berkswich Millennium Sundial

Description:The Millennium Sundial located at Broc Hill, near to Milford and Brocton is close to paths that are popular with walkers. It may be used to tell the time, (sunshine permitting) and may be used as a seat from which to enjoy the extensive view over Staffordshire towards Shropshire and Derbyshire.

This is an analemmatic sundial (horizontal sundial) which combines metalwork and stonework and was designed by Ian Naylor, a lecturer at Stafford College. It is one part of a pair commissioned by the Berkswich Millennium Sculpture Group to commemorate the Millennium. The other sundial is located at Berkswich Primary School, Walton on the Hill.

To use the sundial will require a person to stand on the metal plate on the appropriate month and if the sun is shining then the shadow from the person will fall on or near the stones and tell the time. The man in the photograph is standing on the metal plate to demonstrate that his shadow is pointing towards 2.00 pm on the stones.

Several organizations took part in the Project including: Abbey Polymers Ltd, Alstom T&D Transformers Ltd, Awards for All, Berkswich Parish Council, Landon Engineering, Stafford College, Staffordshire County Council Arts Grant, Staffordshire County Council Countryside Services, Tarmac Central and Wardell Armstrong.

Photograph courtesy of Mr David G. Jones