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SMUGGLERS
Smuggling was a growing business in
the 1700 and 1800`s and the Riding
Officers would patrol the southern coastline on
horseback, two or three miles apart. Very often the smugglers would tie pieces
of cloth over the ponies` feet to muffle the sound of progress. Wagons borrowed
by them from the farmer to take the brandy, tobacco and tea to the New Forest,
were returned after a few nights together with a "Blackbird" - a tub
of brandy for the loan of the wagon. Clothes were made with extra pockets for
tea and tobacco was twisted in with hemp. Beech House, midst the woods at
Brangore had its own ice-house and this was very convenient for smugglers on
their way to the Forest.
Thorney Hill is on high ground about 200 feet above sea level which can be seen for miles around. A girl called Lovely Warne used to wait on her pony and show her red petticoat to warn any smugglers that the Customs men were around.
