Sutton armillary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sutton armillary |
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The Millennium Dial armillary in its latest location outside the town's Waterstones bookshop
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| Year | 2000 |
| Subject | Armillary |
| Location | Sutton |
| 51°21′43″N 0°11′34″W / 51.36194°N 0.19278°W | |
The Millennium Dial Armillary is a special piece of public art in Sutton, Greater London, England. It is one of six artworks located in the town centre. Other famous artworks there include the Sutton heritage mosaic and the Messenger statue.
This armillary was given to the town in the year 2000 by the Rotary Club. It looks like an old-fashioned clock and has three main purposes:
- It tells the time.
- It remembers important things with special messages. These include the Rotary motto "Service Above Self." It also shows how far away other places like Kingston upon Thames are.
- It celebrates all the good work the Rotary Club has done for the community.
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What is an Armillary?
An armillary is a model of objects in the sky. It shows how they move around the Earth or Sun. An armillary sphere is usually made of rings that show important circles in the sky. These include the equator and the paths of the Sun and stars.
The Sutton armillary is also a type of sundial. A sundial tells the time by using the shadow cast by the Sun.
Messages on the Armillary
The base of the armillary has a special message carved into it. This message explains why the armillary was placed there.
"Service Above Self"
Rotary Armillary
This Armillary was presented to the people of the London Borough of Sutton in grateful thanks for their generosity in supporting Rotary Charities and to mark the new Millennium. The Rotary Club of Cheam has joined with the Rotary Clubs of Carshalton, Carshalton Beeches, Sutton, Sutton Nonsuch and Wallington. December 2000
The Project was made possible by the following Sponsors: Securicor plc. Holiday Inn Sutton London. The Crown Agents. South Sutton Neighbourhood Association. Sutton & Cheam Society. The London Borough of Sutton.
The message thanks the people of Sutton for helping Rotary charities. It also marks the new millennium, which was the year 2000. Several Rotary Clubs worked together on this project. Many sponsors helped to make the armillary possible.
History of the Armillary
Before the year 2000, the London Borough of Sutton wanted to create projects about time for the new millennium. The Rotary Club decided to help by planning and paying for the armillary.
The armillary was designed to last for many years. It was first placed in a special Millennium Garden. In 2011, the High Street area was repaved. The armillary was then moved slightly. It now stands in the new central square, right in front of the Waterstones bookshop. When they chose the new spot, they had to make sure it got enough sunlight to work as a sundial.
In November 2012, the armillary had to be removed for a short time. It came off its base. This event was even reported in the local newspaper!
Why the Armillary is Important
The armillary has become a central point in the town centre. It will stay there as a lasting reminder of two things. It marks the new millennium and the important work the Rotary Club has done in Sutton since 1923.
