I decided to stop off at South Harting church on my way home from school today in search of today’s photo. In the end I got no further than the gate to the churchyard as my attention was caught by the remains of the village stocks and whipping post just outside the gates. I guess these must have stood here for many centuries, serving as a point for the punishment of wrong-doers in times past. I was rather taken with the colours and textures of the weathered padlock which currently locks them shut. I presume they are left locked up to prevent any attempts to try the stocks out for size by tipsy folk at pub closing time!

Great shot! excellent colours and texture! Riyaz · 2009-11-24: 09:43

Lovely close up- you are really good at making ordinary things look special. Lynda · 2009-11-24: 10:26

This is a beauty. Lovely textures. SADHYA · 2009-11-24: 12:02

fantastic ????? · 2009-11-24: 12:23

Color and texture are great! Can't even imagine living in a world where they do that to people....can think of some crimes, though, where that might be an appropriate punishment! lookagain · 2009-11-24: 14:07

Wow Wonderful, wonderful! ????? · 2009-11-24: 14:46

wonderful picture!! tomie · 2009-11-25: 04:23

beautiful rusting history :) mountainflower · 2009-11-25: 07:48

great photo! I love the colours. Eiram · 2009-11-25: 08:44

I really like this picture. Thanx. Welldigger · 2009-11-25: 08:52

I could think of plenty of people I'd like to see in stocks... most of them have the letter MP after their name. Ancient traditions are under-rated you know! davids · 2009-11-25: 13:41

Great shot:) boszorka65 · 2009-11-25: 15:00

Excellent work with this slowpete · 2009-11-26: 00:32

Tagged: padlock stocks rust texture harting