THE Ruardean sundial project has taken another step forward as the Forest stone block has now been cut and shaped.
The sundial will be unique in Britain as the only one erected to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. It is being funded by the parish council and will be sited on the south porch of St John's church.
The stone was obtained from a block cut from Birch Hill Quarry, Fetter Hill, and has been cut to size at Forest Masonry, near Lydney. The work was carried out under the supervision of experienced mason Mr Les Hinton.
"Les Hinton is one of the most experienced and authoritative experts on Forest stone and selected the block from Birch Hill after we had listed our colouring and quality requirements," explained Andrew Gardiner.
The block was taken from the quarry's lower strata and on Mr Hinton's advice will be cut in such a way to resist erosion.
Mr Gardiner said assistance had also been received from Tony Wood, of the British Sundial Society.
Clifford Davies, rector of Ruardean, has asked in the sundial could be officially unveiled by a member of the Royal family.
He has stressed it would be a tremedous boost for Ruardean and the Forest in general.
The stone has now been transported to masons Damsells, of Bream.