The turnstile comprises an upright wooden post with rotating wooden cross on top, and held together with iron brackets around a central pin. Central brackets and pin are original ones.
The HER report suggests that the turnstile is of C19th date. It is probably locally made (there were blacksmiths and a forge in the village). A local carpenter replaced the upright post 30 years ago.
In September 2018, the Parish Council replaced the four wooden spokes and upright due to their poor condition. The metalwork appears original. The spokes were originally bound with iron bracing, possibly wrought iron, at their ends, but this metal was unrecoverable because of damage when the repairs were made.
The turnstile is briefly mentioned in guides on the canal (i.e. Walking the Kennet & Avon Canal by Steve Davison). Historically it seems to have been unremarked by the village. It is not clear what its purpose was, unless it was to prevent carts, or horse riders, using the lane (The Cliffs), as a short cut between Station Road and Church Street. It can’t be a turnstile to prevent animal access as there is no matching one at the other end of the lane. There is a similar turnstile on a footpath between Alton Barnes and Alton Priors in Wiltshire.
The turnstile is of value to the local community, as demonstrated by the fact that it was restored by the Parish Council. It also retains historic metalwork.
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