Tapsel gate

[note 1] Tapsel gates have the dual advantage of keeping cattle out of churchyards and allowing the efficient passage of coffins carried to and from the church during burials.

The Tapsel family first was recorded in Sussex in 1577, when the churchwardens in the parish of West Tarring paid for some church bells.

Several generations of the family worked as bell-founders and rope-makers from a foundry in Tarring, although they travelled throughout Sussex to undertake repairs and cast new bells.

[3] In 1896, for example, the Sussex Archaeological Society used the name "Tapsel gate" in its description of a device which opened and closed by means of a wheel, chain, and counterweight.

[7] The country house architect Ernest George designed and created one for the churchyard entrance of his church of St Pancras, Rousdon, Devon built in 1871-72.

[8] Tapsel gates are made of wood and are balanced on a solid wooden or metal pivot, instead of being hinged on one side.

[2][3] Because the gate is mounted in the centre of the opening in a wall, it effectively halves its width, which prevents passage by large animals, but allows people to pass through on either side easily.