Liberation Monument Azimuth Sundial - Saint Peter Port, Guernsey
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 49° 27.500 W 002° 32.041
30U E 533769 N 5478512
This azimuth sundial and seating was erected in 1995 to commemorate the Liberation of Guernsey from German occupying forces. Although at 4 metres tall it is an impressive sight, it deliberately only works one day per year.
Waymark Code: WMYR1Q
Location: Guernsey
Date Posted: 07/14/2018
Views: 1
A nearby plaque explains the story of the sundial monument.
The Liberation Monument commemorates the 50th anniversary, on the 9th May 1995, of the Liberation of Guernsey from German occupying forces. It was designed by Guernsey artist Eric Snell, who was commissioned by the States of Guernsey. Interested in linking 1945 to 1995 and beyond, Snell looked to create a site-specific structure designed around the shadow cast by an obelisk. He worked closely with local astronomer David Le Conte of La Societe Guernesiaise who carried out the necessary calculations and experiments. The tip of the shadow travels precisely (within one millimetre and 5 seconds of time) along the back of the curved granite seating on the 9th May, and only on that day. The shadow points to three inscriptions, at the specific time, marking significant events on the day the island was liberated in 1945. Unveiled by HRH The Prince of Wales on Liberation Day 1995, the obelisk is comprised of 50 layers of blue Guernsey granite, representing the 50 years of freedom, with the cut angle at the top representing the trauma of the occupation years.
The three events inscribed on the seating are as follows.
7:15 am SURRENDER ACCEPTED ON HMS BULLDOG
8:00 am LIBERATING FORCES LANDED AT SAINT PETER PORT
10:15 am THE UNION FLAG UNFURLED AT THE ROYAL COURT HOUSE
The left hand end of the seating also the following inscription.
INAUGURATED BY
HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES
9 MAY 1995
TO COMMEMORATE THE LIBERATION OF GUERNSEY FROM THE OCCUPYING
GERMAN FORCES ON 9 MAY 1945
1945 - 1995