Admiral Arthur Phillip Memorial Sphere (Original location)
What is it?
To commemorate the bicentenary of the death of
Admiral Arthur Phillip, the
Britain-Australia Society Education Trust commissioned
David
Harber Ltd and Nigel Fenwick to build this bronze armillary
sphere sundial on a carved stone base.
It was unveiled on 12th July 2014 by the Chairman of the
Britain-Australia Society Trustees, Sir Christopher Benson DL
FRICSC. Also present were the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Lady
Elizabeth Gass DCVO and Her Excellency Professor the Honourable
Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO Governor of New South Wales.
Where is it in Bath?
It was in the grounds of the Assembly Rooms in Bath, almost
opposite 19 Bennett Street, where
Arthur
Phillip lived for eight years before his death in 1814.
Following the return of the Assembly Rooms to the National Trust,
it was moved to Sydney Gardens in 2024. Follow
this link
to read about its new location.
Inscribed on the horizon band is: Captain, Governor and later
Admiral Arthur Phillip; Born London 11th October 1738; died
Bennett Street, Bath, 31st August 1814; Buried in St Nicholas
Church, Bathampton; Appointed Commander of the First Fleet and
Governor-designate of New South Wales in 1786.
The base plate of the memorial tells the story of Philip's
achievements. Inscribed on other bands of the armillary are
quotations from Phillip and descriptions of his qualities. Full
details can be found on
David
Harber Ltd's website.
A plaque, also relocated to Sydney Gardens, was located on the
Bennett Street side of the garden on the north-east corner of the
Assembly Rooms:
The text reads
"In tribute to and in memory of Admiral Arthur Phillip Royal
Navy (1738 - 1814)
First Governor of New South Wales
Founder of the modern nation of Australia."
Location map of Bath's Assembly Rooms:
(c) 2024
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