Veterans on the Edge - GL12 Area

02/11/2026

Fantastic support from a local business.

Remembrance is a memorial close to our hearts here at The Cotswold Book Room - as many of you will know, we have a lot of Naval connections.

We offer free postage to BFPO addresses so that anyone who is away from home on a ship, submarine or foreign base can easily receive books.

Also a huge thanks to the British School children for making our poppy garlands!

27/10/2026

Over the next week, keep an eye out around Charfield for some small poppies.

Each one will be placed near a location connected with one of the fourteen men named on the village war memorial base, who lost their lives in WW1 and WW2.

The poppies will carry a name, a little about that person and where that person now rests. For most, their final resting place is far from Charfield. Some have no known grave in a foreign field. Two are buried here in the village.

The research behind the map has been about more than finding names. It has been about finding the homes, farms, cottages, streets and workplaces that connected these men to Charfield.

For a little while this Remembrance, a local veteran wanted to put their names back into the village they once called home.

If you find a poppy, please pause and read it.

Someone remembered on the village memorial once knew that little part of Charfield as home.

The locations are the best estimates possible from the historical records found so far and won't always identify an exact building. If you recognise a name, have a family connection, an old photograph or story, or know more precisely where someone lived, Veterans on the Edge would love to hear from you. Local and family knowledge may hold pieces of the story that aren't found in official records.

Fourteen men. One community. Their homes were here.

27/10/2026

Come along and meet us tonight in Charfield and find out more about our events and activities.

We will also have information on the Charfield Branch of the Royal British Legion.

What's On in Charfield? ✨Just two days to go! Open to all.

Tuesday 27th October from 4 - 8pm
Charfield Village Hall & Playing Fields

Come along and meet the local clubs, groups and organisations taking part!

Here's who's coming:
• CHADRA • Charfield Christian Centre • Charfield Craft Circle • Charfield Cricket Club • Charfield Football Club • Charfield Transport Scheme • Charfield Village Hall and playing fields • Charfield Youth Project • Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire • Dogs for Good • Friends of St James • Luncheon Club • Model Engineers • Nia Dance • Royal British Legion • St Johns Church • The Keepers in Charfield • Veterans on the Edge • WERN Village Agent

There's still time to have a table if you're an organisation, activity or service provider.

Plus – the Soft Play Trailer! 3.30 - 6pm, now with a cover and lights for all-weather fun! Early slots still available. Play On Wheels Co
Book at [email protected].

Free entry to the main event – just turn up!

Please share and spread the word! The Keepers in Charfield Charfield Youth Project Charfield Village Hall & Playing Fields Charfield Cricket Club Dogs for Good - UK Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire Charfield Christian Centre Veterans on the Edge - GL12 Area West of England Rural Network Charfield Football Club
Sorry due to the quirks of Facebook, we weren't able to tag everyone in the post. Please tag in comments.

25/10/2026

Charfield Rememberance Sunday details.

There are also bacon butties in the Memorial Hall before the parade sets off raising funds for the Poppy Appeal.

22/10/2026

Veterans on the Edge members enjoyed a fascinating and deeply moving talk on Monday evening from 92 year old Nick Thornley, who shared the story of his father, Lieutenant Francis Bodenham Thornley, and his experiences during the Battle of the Somme. 

The packed village hall at Littleton upon Severn, organised by Darren from The Plough Micro Pub and The White Hart @ Littleton-Upon-Severn to help raise funds for the RBL, listened intently as Nick recounted not only the military history, but the personal family memories that have been passed down through the generations.

His father was just 19 years old when he led his men forward on 1 July 1916 with the Ulster Division. Their company was among those who advanced furthest into the German positions during one of the few successful attacks on the opening day of the battle. Despite their achievements, they were forced to withdraw due to the lack of supporting advances elsewhere. Only later would the full scale of the losses become apparent. The first day of the Somme resulted in approximately 57,000 British casualties, including over 19,000 killed. 
Particularly moving were Nick's recollections of visiting the battlefield with his father after the war and hearing first hand accounts of the human experiences behind the history.

Members were also treated to a masterclass in public speaking. At 92 years of age, Nick held a standing room only audience engaged from beginning to end through a combination of excellent content, structure and storytelling.

An amazing £440 was raised on the night for this years poppy speak and huge thanks to local Poppy appeal organiser Steph Joynson for arranging for the collection.

As the nation moves towards this year's Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Sunday, the evening served as a timely reminder that remembrance is not limited to a single day in November. For many families it is something that lives on through stories, conversations and shared memories. One of the enduring messages from Nick's talk was the importance of passing these stories to younger generations, ensuring that the sacrifices, experiences and humanity of those who served are never forgotten.

17/10/2026

A group of military veterans has been working at an historic church to help renovate parts of the churchyard.

17/10/2026

Really great to see a local business doing what they can to support the Blue Light and Service Community.

As a small, family run, restaurant with limited covers it must have been a bit of a challenge to figure out a time when this would work well for them, and the community they are trying to reach. While some have commented on the time this offer can be used, mid week and midday, I would say we all have time off to take to treat ourselves and The Falcon Steakhouse is definitely worth the treat.

💙 NEW AT THE FALCON STEAKHOUSE! 💙

We’re pleased to announce that we’re now offering a 10% Blue Light Card discount!

Every Tuesday, between 12pm and 5:15pm, simply bring your Blue Light Card along and enjoy 10% off all food on your bill.

It’s our little way of saying thank you to those who do so much for the rest of us.

✅ Every Tuesday
✅ 12pm – 5:15pm
✅ 10% off all food
✅ Available on pre-booked tables

To book: Visit https://www.falconsteakhouse.com/book-now/ and simply add “Blue Light” to the booking comments.

Just show your valid Blue Light Card when paying, and we’ll take care of the rest!

We look forward to welcoming you to The Falcon! 🥩

15/10/2026

Historic Churchyard Wall Restoration Successfully Completed

The restoration of the eastern boundary wall at St James Churchyard, Charfield, has now been successfully completed following three weekends of dedicated community effort.

Since May, approximately 40 military veterans and 10 local community volunteers have taken part in the project, working alongside the Friends of St James to sympathetically restore more than 50 metres of historic dry stone walling.

Throughout the project, numerous local residents and visitors stopped by to learn more about the work, the history of the churchyard and the traditional skills being used.

Over many decades, the wall had deteriorated due to severe weather, overgrown vegetation and natural subsidence, leaving sections in a poor and unsafe condition. Under the expert guidance of Andy Docherty of Walling2Recovery, an Army veteran himself, the wall has now been carefully rebuilt using traditional dry stone walling techniques appropriate to the historic setting.

Walling2Recovery is a veterans' mental health support organisation that uses dry stone walling as a means of improving wellbeing, building confidence and helping veterans reconnect through purposeful outdoor activity. During the project, veterans from a variety of backgrounds took part, including veterans in the justice system on licence from HMP Leyhill. Many participants spoke of the pride and sense of achievement gained from helping to restore an important local landmark for a local community.

Particular attention was given to the section of wall surrounding the Charfield Railway Memorial, a place of considerable significance that attracts regular visitors and will become even more prominent as the centenary of the 1928 Charfield rail disaster approaches.

Friends of St James Church Charfield would like to express sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the project. Special recognition goes to the ladies of the Friends of St James, whose tea, coffee and exceptional homemade cakes kept volunteers well supplied throughout all three weekends.
Thanks are also extended to the Veterans on the Edge - GL12 Area community and veterans from HMP Leyhill, whose commitment, hard work and positive contribution to the project were widely appreciated. Their efforts played an important part in delivering a lasting legacy for the local community.

The project was made possible through funding from the Veterans' Foundation and permissions from Charfield Parish Council, St John's Parish, the Diocese of Gloucester and South Gloucestershire Council. The Veterans Foundation funding enabled specialist expertise to be brought in, ensuring the work could be carried out safely and to a high standard.
The completed wall now stands as a lasting example of how heritage conservation, community volunteering and veteran support can come together to preserve an important part of Charfield's history for future generations.

*Photographs do not contain personnel from HMP Leyhill