The Fernhurst Society
Tales from the Archives - 64
'Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by'*
In the 18th and 19th Centuries, a popular route for smugglers of brandy, wine, tobacco etc from the coast up to London was through the woods and little-trod paths of Henley. The story is told that a party of excisemen, expecting a band of smugglers from over the hill, lay in wait for them in Old Henley.
As the waiting grew wearisome, they stepped inside the Duke of Cumberland to have half a pint. Mrs Venes (or Venus) who kept the pub, duly attended to their wants then went out with her broom to sweep the pitching in front of the house. As she swept she kept casting her eye up to the hill to her right. Suddenly she raised her broom high above her head, just for a second, then went on with her sweeping.
It was enough. Horses were checked and by a timely detour to the west, the smugglers with their contraband reached safety.
*A Smuggler's Song' by Rudyard Kipling
If you would like to know more about this story, or research other local topics, the Archive is open on Tuesdays, 2.30-5pm in the Village Hall. Other times by arrangement.
Christine Maynard
Fernhurst ArchiveOne of a series of short articles bringing you some of the incidents from our rich village history. Collated by Christine Maynard, based on documents preserved at the Fernhurst Archives, these originally were published in the monthly Fernhurst News.
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