Sundial design
- the work of Piers Nicholson
Polar sundials for the Millennium
Three polar sundials, designed by Piers Nicholson,
were built by the Royal Engineers in late 1999 for the Tylers and Briclayers Company
of the City of Londo. One is located on the north bank of the Thames, some 30
metres upstream of the new Millennium footbridge, and was built to present to
the Corporation of the City of London to commemorate the millennium. It was opened
by the Lord Mayor of London in November 1999. The second is on the east side of
the Greenwich Peninsular, about halfway between the Millennium Dome and the Thames
Flood Barrier; it was opened in October 1999 by Nick Raynsford, Minister of Housing
and Construction, and MP for Greenwich. The third is outside the museum of the
Royal Engineers at Chatham.
The photographs below show each of these dials. The design
process is described in more detail for your interest.
The opening of the Blackfriars sundial by the
Lord Mayor of London
Nick Raynsford MP opening the Greenwich sundial
The Greenwich sundial and the Dome
Close-up of the dialplate, showing the shot-blasted
background for the hour lines
The opening of the Chatham sundial
