The Badgers Watch, Peacehaven

Porto Bello was a small lonely, coastal inlet in the cliffs and hamlet of Telscombe, adjacent to Warren Farm. Sometime before 1841 Coastguard Station Cottages were built here and a Coastal Blockade Station in 1825 is listed by Bullen (1995). But an even older building, built of flint and beach pebbles, was the Badgers Watch as it is known today. Also previously known as the Lifeboat Inn and Brewers Arms Inn, the name Badger likely originated from that of the infamous early 19th century Revenue Cutter that patrolled the Channel. William Osborn(e) was the tenant innkeeper in 1829. Sold in 1837 as a private residence, William (S?)Osborn(e) continued to occupy the former Brewers Arms Inn after the sale. This isolated access to the beach was ideal for the smuggling trade. Tracks still lead to Telscombe village and Southease to the bridge over the Ouse below Itford Farm. In January 1823 the various preventive forces set out to ambush smugglers at the bridge. Fifteen to twenty owlers or smugglers escaped along deep ditches and the value of goods seized was minimal. Mary Waugh in her book �Smuggling in Kent and Sussex 1700-1840� (1985) ch.7, mentions Bearshide (Peacehaven) and Porto Bello (Telscombe Cliffs) several times in connection with the illicit trade. Furthermore it was not illegal to sell smuggled goods and many a tavern advertised "Genuine Crow Link" schnappes, named after the landing place near Birling Gap, East Dean. As smuggling was particularly active in the first half of the 19th century, such circumstantial evidence suggests some direct or indirect involvement by the Osborn family.

23 Oct 2008 15:53