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A sleepy village in the heart of the country, Charlton is one of the seven towns
of Otmoor, where the village folk know the main priority is a pair of wellington
boots! The wetlands of the moor attract all kinds of wildlife. On a winter
evening flocks of geese and swans are seen travelling from some unfortunate
farmer’s field back to the moor.
This is a place where villagers in the past have fought for their rights to
graze livestock and enclose their strips of land. Today visitors come to see the
wildlife, enjoy the quietness or walk the Roman road where Joseph’s Stone can
still be found. Some say this is a Roman milestone but others think it is more
likely to be a horseman’s mounting stone. Fog and storms still engulf the moor.
Years ago a curfew bell would be tolled at 8.00 pm to guide the traveller back
home. It was this bell which was heard by Thomas Tryte when he lost his way
crossing the moor to Bicester. There is a poem written about his famous walk and
Tryte’s distressing time while lost on the moor.
This bell has long since ceased but the bells of St Mary’s, known locally as the
heavy five, still ring out. Many generations have rung the Charlton bells. The
Hayneses, the Millers and the Maycocks are all familiar names in Charlton tower.
Quite a character was Old Tom, one of the Maycock brothers, known so well for
their thatching skills in the county but otherwise working a smallholding in the
village. Old Tom was rarely seen without his bike, which he rode mainly in the
middle of the road. With his shock of white hair, two or three days’ stubble on
his chin and the inevitable pipe, Tom was known to everyone in the village.
Besides ringing one of the bells his strong baritone voice led the church choir
and for a funeral he donned pin stripes and bowler to act as bearer, that was
after giving a hand to dig the grave. His greeting in the street would almost
certainly be ‘Ello Gel’, so long as you were of that sex. Tom now lies in St
Mary’s churchyard and Charlton has lost a real character.
The farms which provide much of the work in the village are fast disappearing.
Farm barns are being converted to houses. However, there are some farms left.
One farmer still draws water from a black water well. The black water spring
runs right through the village and in olden days farmers used the water to treat
sick cattle. Village folk used it for eczema. That same farmer also uses a fresh
water well to water his stock. The wells are beautifully built, mainly of stone
and some are bell shaped. One well, obviously designed to serve two households,
is built under a dividing wall and pumps are set up each side of the wall. Most
of the old cottages are built from the lovely mellow stone, some of which was
dug locally. A few thatched roofs remain and many of these old houses have
cellars, in some cases still in use but when the water level rises some are
known to flood.
May Day celebrations are still held in Charlton. Many years ago the villagers
used to carry their May garland across the moor to Horton-cum-Studley. Now the
school children process from the school to the church, each carrying a floral
cross. A long rope garland is at the head of the procession, colourfully
decorated with flowers and ribbons. The children make several stops to sing the
May Carol:
Good Morning ladies and gentlemen
We wish you a happy May
We’ve come to show our May garland
Because it’s the 1st of May
A May garland we have brought you
Before your door we stand
It is but a bit but it smells very sweet
And it comes from the Lord’s right hand.
A service in church follows and every year the cross on the rood screen is
redressed in box for the occasion. Afterwards the children give a display of
country and maypole dancing in the Main Street. This happens on 1st May every
year no matter what day it falls on.
Charlton does not have a country mansion or a famous person within the parish
but it still boasts a village pub, its very own bus service and a community
spirit next to none.
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