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St Mary's church was at the centre of the battle between the Goudhurst Band of Militia and the Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers on April 20 1747. There was a smuggler's tunnel between the church and the neighbouring Star and Eagle Inn.
©Ron Strutt
The picturesque Wealden village of Goudhurst wasn't always so peaceful. Smuggling was rife in the area in the 19th century and the business had none of the roguish charm with which it has since been endowed. The Hawkhurst Gang was one of the largest and operated throughout Kent, Hampshire and even Dorset. They were also very violent, threatened those who opposed them, and terrorised the neighbourhood. Eventually the villagers of Goudhurst set up their own Militia, trained by a former soldier, to deal with the problem, whereupon the smugglers threatened to attack the village, kill the residents, and burn the place to the ground. But when the smugglers attacked, it was they who were defeated, three of their number being killed including the gang leader's brother.
©Ron Strutt
©Nigel Chadwick
©Nigel Chadwick
Dist:0.1km<br/>Cultivated Primroses on the side of the High Weald Trail
©Glyn Baker
Dist:0.1km<br/>This is Maypole Lane looking towards the High Weald Landscape Trail
©Glyn Baker
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©Nigel Chadwick
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©Nigel Chadwick
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©Nigel Chadwick
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©Nigel Chadwick
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©Nigel Chadwick
Dist:0.1km<br/>This shot was taken from [[731597]] and shows the pasture of Triggs Farm
©Glyn Baker
Dist:0.1km<br/>What on earth is a Tiddymott? This lane is in Goudhurst Kent. A helpful visitor to the site pointed out the road sign has a typographical error and it should be Tiddymopps Lane (however www.streetmap.co.uk agrees with the sign). Humm the question has not really changed much!!
©Glyn Baker
Dist:0.1km<br/>The lane from the A262 Cranbrook Road, heads left towards the B2079 Balcombes Hill heading South towards Bedgebury and Kilndown. It also heads right towards the road heading North towards the town centre. In the background the High Weald Landscape Trail (long distance path) crosses the lane heading left to Maypole Farm from Goudhurst.
©David Anstiss
Dist:0.1km<br/>Route of the HWLT.
©Nigel Chadwick

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