Thursday, 3 October 2013

TURNSTILE...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved


This simple turnstile gate leading into St. Mary The Virgin Churchyard has often got me wondering why such a gate was necessary going into a churchyard. Judging by the look of it I would imagine it is an old one.  Any ideas?
 

2 comments:

  1. I don't know for sure, but my guess is that if this gate is as old as the church, 1700's, the surrounding area at that time may have had cattle roaming, and the gate was to let people in but keep cattle out? I might be completely wrong!

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    1. Thank you for your comment. I am sure you are right, it makes sense. I remember as a child that there was cattle grazing on Wanstead Flats and they were always crossing the road and trying to get into peoples gardens.

      Best wishes,
      Geoff

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