Lockgate Sundial 2008

The Stalybridge lockgate was commissioned to commemorate
the re-opening of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal through
Stalybridge in 2001. The piece is by the Cumbrian artist Alan
Dawson and is a modern depiction of a set of canal gates; but
with an added twist. The long mainbeam of the lockgate acts as
a gnomon (a Greek word variously meaning "indicator", "one
who knows" or even"carpenter's square), resulting in this
sculpture also functioning as a huge working sundial.

The gnomon has to be parallel with the axis of the earth - no
mean feat for a piece of sculpture this large - which means
the angle between the lockgate mainbeam (the larger, North
facing one) and the ground is equal to the latitude of the site on
which the sculpture is installed. This is approximately fifty three
and a half degrees. The stone numerals of the sundial represent
the heel-stones which are set into the canal bank and are used
by bargemen to push against when opening the lockgates.

Without enough sunshine for the shadows to be seen I had to settle for a gull flying between the main beams.