Clapper gates
{{Short description|Type of self-closing double gate}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{for|the type of stile|Stile#Gallery}}
File:Trentside gate - geograph.org.uk - 1718145.jpg }}]]
Clapper gates are a distinctive type of self-closing double gate, unique to the navigable reaches of the River Trent.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YWyrAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA70|last=Fisher |first=Stuart |year=2013 |title= British River Navigations: Inland Cuts, Fens, Dikes, Channels and Non-tidal Rivers |publisher=A&C Black |isbn= 9781472906687 |pages=70}} They were erected along the towpath of the river in the 18th century, and allow people and horses to pass through the field boundaries on the river bank, but prevent livestock from straying.{{cite web| url=http://www.ontrent.org.uk/site/sites/default/files/OnTrent%20Newsletter%20Issue%2010%20Summer%202010.pdf| title=OnTrent Newsletter Issue Summer 2010| publisher=ontrent.org.uk| access-date=10 May 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224110755/http://www.ontrent.org.uk/site/sites/default/files/OnTrent%20Newsletter%20Issue%2010%20Summer%202010.pdf| archive-date=24 December 2013| url-status=dead}}
History
A horse towing path (or haling path) along the navigable Trent, from Shardlow to Gainsborough was approved as part an Act of Parliament in 1783.{{harvnb |Hadfield |1970 |pp=42–46}}{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MZZFAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA340 |last= |first= |year=1786 |title=The Statutes at Large Volume 14 |publisher= |isbn= |pages=339–340}} But unlike canal towing paths, towpaths along rivers were not usually fenced off from the land alongside and required these self-closing gates where the path crossed the field boundaries.{{harvnb |De Salis |1969 |pp=3}}
Construction
File:Clapper Gate - geograph.org.uk - 1117416.jpg }}]]
The normal construction is of square timber rails, with three horizontal metal rods, and a single diagonal bracing rod. The design of the gate also includes an angled upright or stile, with the post on which the gates are parked, angled in the same way.
The two gates are hinged at the top and base using a metal band attached to a large post. This heel post is inclined slightly forward, which ensures that the gates are self-closing by their own weight.{{cite web|url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1432612| title= Riverside gate description |publisher= geograph.co.uk | access-date=10 May 2013}}
The name comes from the fact that once released after opening, the gate comes together with its gate post making a sharp sound or 'clap' as it shuts. This is unlike a kissing gate, which only 'kisses' or lightly touches its frame.{{cite web |url=http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers-resources/75-Torksey-Lock-Trail-compressed.pdf |title=Torksey-Lock-Trail |publisher=canalrivertrust.org.uk |access-date=10 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116102616/http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers-resources/75-Torksey-Lock-Trail-compressed.pdf |archive-date=16 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}
Heritage
They are seen as a key heritage feature of the River Trent bankside landscape, and efforts are being made to record and preserve them, in the Trent Valley between Farndon in Nottinghamshire and Gainsborough in Lincolnshire.{{cite web|url=http://beta.timebank.org.uk/opportunity/149157/record-and-reclaim-clapped-gates-along-the-river-t|title=Record and reclaim clapper gates|publisher=timebank.org.uk|access-date=19 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606215718/http://beta.timebank.org.uk/opportunity/149157/record-and-reclaim-clapped-gates-along-the-river-t|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://bcvs.robhadfield.co.uk/opportunities/british-waterways-record-and-reclaim-clapper-gates/|title=British Waterways record and reclaim clapper gates|publisher=bcvs.co.uk|access-date=10 May 2013}}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/New-logo-puts-Trent-Vale-project-firmly-map/story-12222386-detail/story.html#axzz2Tw3fXbOi|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140114190957/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/New-logo-puts-Trent-Vale-project-firmly-map/story-12222386-detail/story.html%23axzz2Tw3fXbOi|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 January 2014|title=New Logo Trent Vale|publisher=thisisnottingham.co.uk|access-date=10 May 2013}}
The Trent Valley Way, a long-distance footpath which follows the Trentside tow path for some of its length, passes through many of these gates on its route between Nottingham and Gainsborough.
{{cite web| url= http://www.trentvale.co.uk/activities/view/trent-valley-way/
| title= Trent Valley Way |work=Trent Vale |publisher= trentvale.co.uk | access-date=10 December 2013}}
Gallery
{{Gallery
|title=Clapper Gates
|width=150 | height=150 |align=center
|File:Trent bank view - geograph.org.uk - 497399.jpg |South Clifton
|File:Trent Bank - geograph.org.uk - 479796.jpg |High Marnham Power Station
|File:A Trent 'clapper gate' - geograph.org.uk - 1532221.jpg |Carlton-on-Trent
|File:Footpath junction by River Trent south of Fiskerton - geograph.org.uk - 641986.jpg |Fiskerton
|File:Trentside gate - geograph.org.uk - 1599284.jpg |Farndon
|File:Clapper gate on the Trent - geograph.org.uk - 1030408.jpg|Hazelford Ferry
|File:Footpath and Gate Near the River Trent - geograph.org.uk - 553914.jpg |Torksey
|File:Trent Valley Way - geograph.org.uk - 497951.jpg|Trent Valley Way
}}
References
{{Commons category|Clapper gates}}
- {{cite book
|first=Henry Rodolph |last=De Salis
|title=Bradshaw's Canals and Navigable Rivers
|year=1969
|publisher=David and Charles
|isbn=0-7153-4689-X
}}
- {{Cite book
|first=Charles |last=Hadfield
|title=The Canals of the East Midlands
|publisher=David and Charles
|year=1970
|isbn=0-7153-4871-X
}}
{{reflist}}