Scriptwriter Valerie Chidson explains:

The story behind "The Smuggler's Tale"

Thomas Turner’s diaries, written between the years 1754 and 1765, are a detailed record of what life was like in 18th century East Hoathly, only three miles from Waldron. One of the more intriguing tales concerns Tom Daw, a “contrary” former smuggler with one leg, a blind wife and a large and growing family. Fearing that the Daws would become a drain on the resources of East Hoathly, Thomas Turner and other worthies hatched a plot to get rid of them by giving Tom the wherewithal to purchase the forge at Waldron and thus cross the parish boundary.

This small event gave me the germ of the plot for The Smuggler’s Tale. Tom and his family are recorded in the registers of baptisms, marriages and burials for Waldron and anyone can check them at the Records Office in Lewes. His apprenticeship as a smith is also recorded, with the name of his father John. There was also a real ironmaster, John Fuller (in fact, several of them), Parson James was Rector of Waldron in the 1750s and Mrs Brown was the licensee of The Star. The iron industry really was in trouble and smuggling was a thriving industry, to the fury of King George II’s Excisemen.

Thus far, so real. I allowed myself a good deal of dramatic licence in developing the plot, however, inventing Tom’s sister Susan, his formidable mother Ma Daw and the villain of the piece Exciseman Bannister who leads Susan astray. As far as I know, John Fuller never met Tom Daw and I have imagined the betrayal which causes so much trouble in my plot. The Fullers lived at Tanners Manor, but strictly speaking they had moved away to Brightling by the mid-18th century. But when was a little historical fact allowed to spoil a good plot?

I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has made the production possible and entered into the fun with such enthusiasm. And that includes our little village of Waldron – a very special place.

The cast of The Smuggler’s Tale consisted of 49 adults, 28 children, three horses, a pony and trap and five chickens. Behind the scenes were a further four scene builders, five scene painters, seven people working on costumes, ten dealing with props, a signwriter, three making up the cast, the Director and Assistant Director, Set Designer, Composer, Stage manager and Assistant Stage Manager, Technical Director, Sound engineer, Lighting engineer, Singers’ Trainer, 12 marshals/traffic managers, 30 local people who had loaned items or animals or allowed use of their premises and several local firms who had loaned items. The production was grant aided by Awards for All, Wealden District Council, Heathfield and Waldron Community Association and the Friends of Mayfield Festival and was sponsored by seven local businesses. All but a small handful of the cast were completely new to acting or any of the skills listed.

"The Smuggler's Tale" was performed on 11th, 12th & 13th July 2002.

The tale continues in the 20th century with Waldron At War

Photos of Ted Durrant and Barmaid coutesy of Kent & Sussex Courier