Sir Francis' legacy casts a long shadow

Take time to remember radio astronomy pioneer and pillar of community

Henbury Millennium Sundial was created by Sir Francis Graham-Smith, who died in June 2025. A plaque was added in 2023 to mark his 100th birthday, above another which shows how to calculate Greenwich Mean Time. Sir Francis' picture (centre) is courtesy of University of Manchester. Pictures top and bottom right are courtesy of Roger Cousin/Henbury Online. Roger's tribute to Sir Francis can be found here

On a patch of green space not far from SKAO HQ in Cheshire sits an imposing, angular slab of stone.

Circled by smaller blocks, its looming shape could be a neolithic meeting place, or perhaps an ominous monolith transplanted from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

In winter, a neighbouring knoll gives a view through bare trees all the way to Jodrell Bank’s Lovell telescope, which – along with a south-facing aspect – likely determined the object’s location, just 25 years ago.

For this strange shape isn’t some druidic assembly point from prehistory, nor anything more ancient or unworldly than a sundial – installed on Henbury Millenium Green to herald the year 2000.

Its creator was former Henbury resident and 13th Astronomer Royal, the late Sir Francis Graham-Smith.

One of the pioneers of radio astronomy, Sir Francis’ famed career achievements are many and varied.

Equally well known in Henbury is his dedication to community.

As a resident of the village, I regularly visit the sundial with my children, and am thankful for the community-minded efforts of Sir Francis, who as a founding trustee of the Millennium Green helped guard this tranquil green space for future generations.

His funeral wake will be held next month, August 2025, in the neighbouring church hall of St Thomas'.

So as those who knew him prepare to say goodbye, I’d encourage a visit to the Henbury Millennium Sundial.

One can be reassured that as days and years pass, lengthening shadows will continue to be cast from its monolithic gnomon to surrounding dial blocks. Numbered, they frame a seated area from where to contemplate a life well-lived, and a legacy as permanent as stone.