This Lych or Life-Gate although a modern edifice (1948) is built on the Medieval Peg and Dowel System, in that no nails or iron are used to secure the structure. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
This Lych or Life-Gate although a modern edifice (1948) is built on the Medieval Peg and Dowel System, in that no nails or iron are used to secure the structure.
Martin, I had an Uncle Arthur and Mabil Marsay but had no idea where they were buried as they had lived on farms in various places the last one being Hart Village called Welly Hill. As a lad they had Roseberry Farm, a dairy farm around the area Roseworth shops were built and a milk round in Norton and the surrounding area. They have a Granddaughter living not far away so that may account for the flowers. I was in Germany when they died so was not at the funeral, I will check it out to see if they are my relatives. Norton Church yard has many memories for me including grandparents parents and my late Wife so I am often there.
This is a familiar sight to me. My grandparents Everett & Maud Jones have a headstone just to the left of the lych gate, along the boundary wall with the old vicarage. I try and clean and tidy up the headstone when I am in the area, and am grateful to the people who keep the ivy at bay! My grandparents died in April 1969 and March 1970, and I notice that the next headstone for Arthur and Mabil Marsay show their deaths at remarkably similar times to my grandparents. I recall my late father Trevor saying that they had been in touch with the Marsay family sometime after 1970, and I wonder whether they are still in the area, fresh flowers suggest they might be.
The gates were removed and stored in the garage of the new Vicarage, now nobody seems to know where they are since that house fell into disrepair and was sold off. I have asked several people, including the volunteers who do the gardening work in the Church Cemetary, and we would all like to know what happened to them.
This gate was made by Robert Thompson”s of Kilburn, the “Mouseman” firm. There are 3 carved mice on the structure. The gates have been removed for safe keeping.