Watch the Wall my Darling

while the gentleman go by!

Romney Marsh is a famous for it's eponymous sheep and smuggling.

Russel Thorndike popularised the area and smuggling activities with his adventures of Dr Syn and The Scarecrow. Whilst at the primary school in Dymchurch we were all traipsed down to the church yard to look at the grave of the smuggler, Solomon Pepper. Rumours abound with a secret passage from the church under the road to The Ship Inn.

It all harks back to a time when smuggling was seen as a more reputable profession carried out by daring and dashing gentleman. I recall studying, and acting the Kipling poemA Smugglers Song which also gives credence and glamour to smuggling.

Not a view which is shared today.