Charlton Kings Parish Council is proud to care for a number of important local heritage assets that reflect the history and character of our community. These include the War Memorial, the Lych Gate at St Mary's Churchyard, and the Village Stocks.

We are committed to maintaining and enhancing these sites — not only for the present community, but also for future generations who will look to them as symbols of our shared past.

Standing on Horsefair Street, in front of St Mary's Church, the Charlton Kings War Memorial was erected following the First World War. It remains a focal point for our community's annual Remembrance Day Service and commemorates 116 casualties of the First World War and 54 casualties of the Second World War.

• In 2010, the Parish Council carried out a full refurbishment.
• In 2014, the names of those lost in the Second World War were added.
• In 2015, the family of Private William Joseph Hopkins, who fell in France just a month after the outbreak of WWI, joined a service of remembrance at the memorial.
• Councillors continue to research the names of Charlton Kings residents who may have given their lives in conflicts since 1945, so that they too may be remembered.

🌺 Charlton Kings in Bloom volunteers kindly maintain the planting around the memorial.

Recent Restoration (September 2025)

The War Memorial recently underwent essential restoration to address frost damage to its base stonework. Specialist craftsman Sebastien David carefully replaced the damaged lower tier with high-quality French limestone from Beaunotte, chosen for its close visual match and superior durability.

This work ensures that the memorial will withstand our climate for decades to come, safeguarding it as a place of remembrance. The Parish Council extends heartfelt thanks to residents for their patience during the works, and to Sebastien for his exceptional craftsmanship.

The Lych Gate at St Mary's Churchyard is another key local landmark. Originally gifted by the Boulton family in the early 1920s to commemorate relatives who fell in the First World War, it dates from the same period as the War Memorial.

In 2024, the Parish Council funded vital restoration:

• Replacement of an oak beam damaged by wet rot, including the historic carved lettering.
• Repairs to broken flagstones at the corners.
• Upgrades to electrical cabling.

This investment preserves the gate's historic character while ensuring it remains safe and welcoming for visitors.

Charlton Kings' village stocks date back to 1763, made by Anthony Mustoe and Richard Ballinger for the parish at a cost of 17 shillings. Originally placed by the south porch of St Mary's Parish Church, they were later moved several times before finding their current home in front of the Vestry Hall, sheltered for protection.

History and Use

Records show the stocks may have been used as late as 1857, when three men arrested for playing "pitch and toss" during church service hours were sentenced to either a fine or three hours in the stocks.

The stocks, which restrained a person's ankles or wrists, were used across England as a punishment for petty crimes such as gambling, drunkenness, cheating customers, or Sabbath breaking. Onlookers often gathered to mock those confined, making the punishment both physical and public.

Conservation

• In 2015, Charlton Kings Parish Council led a major renovation project, with a grant from Cheltenham Borough Council's Civic Pride scheme.
• Local contractor Farrdenn Construction provided conservation expertise, with additional support from Balcarras School, St Mary's Church, and the Charlton Kings Local History Society.

The Parish Council remains dedicated to preserving the stocks as a reminder of our community's long and sometimes colourful history.