The retiring Chairperson, Hugh Weeks, thanked all the helpers. He told members that two of the committee have died during the year, Tony Price and Colin Francis, both made a great contribution to the club and Colin was instrumental in the success of the plant sale.

Judith Stanford was elected as the new Chairperson, and Hugh was thanked for his kindness and nine years of excellent service to the club. The existing committee members were re-elected. The programme of interesting presentations for 2019 was approved.

Cyril Routley gave a fascinating talk on Sundials Through the Ages. He noted that many have a motto on them, often sombre. His favourite is ‘If others tell of storms and showers, I only count the sunny hours’. The oldest sundials date from 3,500 years ago in ancient Egypt and were rectangular. The Romans had circular sundials, which were found in Pompeii.

Sundials are scientific instruments and need to be accurately positioned. The ‘gnomon’ is the strut on the dial plate whose shadow tells the time. The dial plate may be flat or vertical. The gnomon must make an angle of 90 degrees minus the latitude with a flat dial plate. Radstock Church has an interesting sundial that has been adjusted because it doesn’t face due south. There were local sundial makers in Bristol, where David Brown made an interesting one, which can be seen on John Wesley’s house. Anthony Gibbs designed a multi-sided one for Tyntesfield, which tells the morning and evening times, before and after six, which do not usually show. In Cotham the sundial is set up for British Summer Time, and the observer serves as the gnomon! Wills produced a set of cigarette cards featuring sundials around the country. Dame Monica Wills was inspired by her sundial, which became the emblem of the St Monica’s Trust which she created.

The next presentation is on Wednesday, 13th March, when Hilary Little will take us ‘Along Patagonia’s Floral Highway’ at 7.30 p.m. in Kilmersdon Village Hall, followed by light refreshments. Visitors will be made very welcome.

Trisha Jordan