Charlie Nelson was a resident in Beckindale in 1973. He used to reside at Rose Cottage. An old wartime friend of fellow villager Sam Pearson, Charlie was a stubborn old man, whom Annie Sugden resented him for some reason. 77 year old Charlie refused help from villagers such as Dr Clare Scott, but she tended to him when he had indigestion. Charlie's dog Bruce was suspected of killing and maiming dogs in the area. Charlie's new landlord was Andrew Watson who tried to get Charlie to swap with another cottage he owned, but Charlie refused. Edward Ruskin tried to quiz Annie about her dislike for Charlie. It turned out that Charlie's wife Martha Nelson contracted tuberculosis in 1938 and he refused to take her to hospital, and even fiercely turned away any offers of help, as he wanted to treat her himself, but Mary soon died. Annie had been Mary's best friend and always resented Charlie, because if he had taken Mary to hospital, she may have lived.
Charlie was left at Springfields Old people's home by his son Fred but soon returned to Beckindale when he was found by Matt Skilbeck who returned him to the village and called Dr. Scott. It also transpired that his dog Bruce had very few teeth and another dog was responsible for the attacks on sheep. Charlie agreed to have a telephone installed at Rose Cottage.
Charlie was mentioned in December 1974 by Hunter Bell and again in 1975. What became of Charlie after 1975 is unclear but in 1980, Annie mentioned a Yates family at Rose Cottage, if this was the same premises, this implies Charlie may have passed away by then.
In 1980, Annie mentioned a Yates family living at Rose Cottage. Whether it was the same cottage that Charlie Nelson lived at is unknown.