DAY OF SYN - Romney Marsh

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DAY OF SYN
DYMCHURCH UNDER THE WALL
“SERVE GOD, HONOUR THE KING, BUT FIRST MAINTAIN THE WALL”
Welcome to our Day of Syn 2016
It all started when the then vicar of St Peter and Pauls wanted to
raise funds to repair the church roof. The Vicar got together with
a group of villagers to discuss funding. They came up with the
idea of a fete, they then decided to give it a local theme.
Smuggling and Dr Syn was what they came up with using the Dr
Syn stories by Russell Thorndyke. A group of village people were
asked to organize the day. In the beginning it was just one day
only, on the Bank Holliday Monday. All the local charities could
then raise there own funding on the fete field.
Battle of the Beach
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- Russell Thorndike -
1885-1972
First and foremost we must pay respect to Russell Thorndike,
forwithout his wonderful novels this event would be taking place.
Russell was a frequent visitor to Dymchurch where his mother
owned a cottage in Marine Terrace. The first Dr. Syn book was
written in a life boat cottage on the sea wall. He particularly
enjoyed village life and was keen to help with local activities.
Russell Thorndike passed away in Norfolk on 10 November 1972,
aged 87. If he were still here today
I
am sure he would love watching our
version of Dr. Syn. We thank him for
making this a special day.
The books of Dr. Syn were written
by Russell Thorndike during his
visits to Dymchurch. He would sit
on the sea wall and write his stories
using fact and fiction, local names
and local places.
The first of these novels was written in a Lifeboat cottage on the
sea wall. Dr. Syn was killed off in his first book however it
became such a hit, six books were written as pre sequels. Three
films were also made
1937 Black and white film entitled Doctor Syn starred George
Arliss and Margaret Lockwood
1962 Peter Cushing starred in the Hammer Film production,
Captain Clegg with Dr Syns name being changed to Parson Blyss
to avoid copyright problems with Walt Disney's 1963 version.
1963 Patrick McGoohan, George Cole and Michael Horden
starred The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, a 3 part film for TV.
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- Dymchurch -
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Well not quite as I remember it. In my time, the late 1780s it
was a happy village with vast open space a small church and
three inns. There was, however a few strange characters
among the locals The Squire, The Parson, Mr Mipps and yes Dr
Pepper who had all kinds of medicines and local cures for all
ailments.
Now a days it is a busy village with lots of houses where once
was vast open fields and eerie empty marshlands that my self
and my night riders once ruled There are busy roads, arcades j
fun fair and a beach that thousands of people visit every year.
They say that we can still be herd on a clear moon lit
night~ridding across the sands and over the fields but we will
leave it up to you. There are many other characters that you
will meet over the weekend. Look out for us and do enjoy your
week-end.
- Martello Towers There are three towers in Dymchurch. They were part of 74
towers that was built along the Coast of Kent and Sussex and
another 29 in Essex and Suffolk. They were built as part of the
defences to beat the French but were never used as they was
beaten at The Battle of Trafalgar.
The design was based on a tower in the bay of Mortella Corsica.
Built in 1805 It was a round tower so that The cannon balls
bounced off more easily. The walls were some thirteen feet on
the coast side and six feet
landside. The towers were
built with 250,000 bricks
bonded with strong lime
mortar. At the top a 24
pound gun on a rotating
wooden platform would give
a full 360 degree with a
range of about a mile.
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Dymchurch redoubt stands about two miles east towards Hythe
and was used as a support to the towers and there supply depot.
Tower 23 east end of Dymchurch has been converted into a
house. Number 24 in the centre of Dymchurch is run by the
English heritage. Number 25 on the west side of the village in
the Martello car park is in need of repairs.
- Our Beaches The beaches of Romney Marsh run from Hythe in the East to
Dungeness Point, a distance
of eighteen miles. There are
three beaches with golden
sands,: Dymchurch, St Marys
Bay, Greatstone. All three are
flat. With sands stretching
out at low tide, Dymchurch
its sandy beaches with its
new sea wall attracts thousands of visitors each year. The beach
being close to the facilities of the village including two car parksr
cafes, restaurants, pubs and amusements provide something for
everyone, and there is also the railway that runs through the
village.
- Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway What better way to discover the Marsh than a ride on the worlds
largest smallest railway. From Hythe we pass along allotments
and gardens before
reaching the open fields
which were once
controlled by the
smugglers. Passing
through Dymchurch and
on to New Romney where
you can get of and take a
break, visit the museum ,
have a drink before
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traveling on across the beaches to Dungeness. There you can
walk the beaches, visit the Lighthouse, if your able climb the
steps and take in the views of the marshes and the views out to
sea. There is a cafe at the station where you can eat and drink.
Look out for Dr Syn as he once more travels across the Marsh.
The railway opened almost 70 years ago, running 14 miles from
Hythe across the Romney marsh to Dungeness, it became one of
the most popular attractions in the south. Opening in 1927 the
line ran between Hythe and New Romney and extended to
Dungeness in1928. In 1940, the railway came under Control of
the army, and did its bit in the war effort by transporting troops
to the outlying coastal areas. After the war the railway was
returned to Captain Howey and by the start of the 1946 season,
trains were running from Hythe to New Romney. The rest of the
line reopened in 1947. Hythe station is the only terminus having
a turn table.. In the 1930s you could catch a train from
Dungeness to Charing Cross.
- Day of Syn Who's Who The Reverand Dr Syn Vicar of Dymchurch Oxford scholar, ace
duelist, sailed the seas as captain tain Clegg the pirate, head of
the Marsh smugglers alias the 'Scarcrow'.
Mr. Mipps Village Sexton, local undertaker ,former pirate now
second in command of the night riders very disreputable, alias
'Hellspite'.
Gentleman James Bone Dandy, gambler , by night the highway
man Jimmy Bone, distributes the booty, rides in DR Syn's place,
alias 'Beelzebub'.
Mr Rash Schoolmaster, smuggler, hated by most, pursues the
lovely Imogen who hates him, alias 'Lucifer',
Dr Sennacherib Pepper Village Doctor, physician with
potions and pills to cure all ills, his own cure for marsh ague a
tot of brandy. A very elegant gentleman.
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Mrs Waggets Landlady of the Ship Inn, serves good food,
has a well stocked cellar, has her sights on Mr Mipps as
husband number two.
Sir Antony Cobtree Squire of Dymchurch, Magistrate, enjoys his
port and riding with the hounds rather than work, a gentleman,
his son Dennis is fond of Imogen, a barmaid at the Ship Inn.
Lady Cobtree
Wife to Sir Antony, mother to Dennis.
Dennis Cobtree Young gentleman in love with Imogen, wants to
marry her, hates Mr Rash who also has a desire for her.
Imogen Barmaid at the Ship Inn, she does not know she is
the daughter of Dr Syn, hates the attention of Mr Rash, loves
Dennis, but has different social backgrounds
Jerry At the Ship Inn, his aim in life is to become a hangman,
Mr Rash's worst enemy.
Nicholas Hyde, Jerk Pot boy revenue officer, a military man
who exacts money from any one would dearly love to lay the
rascally Scarecrow by the heels.
Captain Collier Known as bully Collier, coast agent and
commissioner sent by the admiralty to catch the night riders.
Midshipman Easy
Captain Collier .
Assistant, confident and loyal shipmate of
Lieutenant Stubbard In command of the press gang, his special
mission to sign up volunteers for the Navy.
Major Faunce Commander of the Dymchurch Dragoons, cocky,
bombastic, thinks the Navy are idiots can't catch a cold, reckons
he can catch the Scarecrow.
General Pugh Gentleman soldier, sent from Dover to keep Major
Faunce under control.
Percy
Slow wilted water carrier and messenger.
The Press Gang, Soldiers, Villagers.
See if you can get the signatures of the
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Dr Syn characters throughout the day
- The Smugglers Maze -
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– Dr Syn Wordsearch -
CAPTAINCOLLIER
DENNISCOBTREE
DRSENNACHERIBPEPPER DRSYN
GENERALPUGH
GENTLEMANJAMESBONE
IMOGEN
JERRYJERK
LADYCOBTREE MAJORPAUNCE
MIDSHIPMANEASY
MRMIPPS
MRRASH MRSSWAGGETS
NICHOLASHYDE
PERCY
PRESSGANG
SIRANTHONYCOBTREE
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- Programme of Events -
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- Programme of Events -
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- Programme of Events -
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- Programme of Events -
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- Smuggling Since times gone by Kent has been the smuggling capital. Why;
because of its closeness to France and the freedom of movement
in any direction. Smuggling can be traced back to the times of
the Saxons, but it was not until the 1700 and 1800s that
smuggling took a hold. The early
smugglers were known as Owlers
and the smuggled goods out of the
country as well. What they
smuggled out was wool; the finest
wool in the country known as
Canterbury wool.
It was in great demand both here
in this country and abroad so the government placed a high
export tax on wool so as to keep it in this country for our
factories, and workers They also made it a hanging offence for
smuggling wool, but this only made it more profitable for the
smugglers. Then we saw the growth of the gangs, nasty,
vicious Hawkhurst, Mayfield, Groombridge. Kent had so many
gangs big and small, carpenters, ex soldiers and navy who
weren't needed after the threat of war had passed were
members of the gangs, Most of the village were some way
involved The local landlord,,Vicar and the Magistrate received a
little something.
- Local Smugglers The smugglers of old were a sad bad bunch despicable, and
violent, yet because they helped to Support the community
they thought they were better than the highway man or the
pirate Who only filled there own pockets. The smuggler , he
pitted his wits and nerve against the Law.
We in Dymchurch had our own band of smugglers, just up the
road at Aldington . The Aldington gang or the blues as they were
known. They rose to fame in the 19th century and worked the
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coast from Deal to Camber .
There first leader was called Cephus Quested. He met his match
when he was captured along with Richard Wraight on 11 th
February 1821. Richard Wraight was released with insufficient
evidence but the knew Quested smuggler,tax evasion fraud theft
murder. He was tried, found guilty and hung. Things went quiet
for a while but just down the road there was some one else who
had ideas of leading the gang. His name was John Ransley. He
lived at Ruckinge. Born in 1728, he was a farmer and a wagoner.
He met and married Elizabeth Bailey, her father was second in
command of the old gang.
Two of his cousins, James and William, were hung for robbery
and horse stealing at Penneden Heath. Ransley was soon rising
in the ranks to lead the Aldington gang. Though nasty and
violent, he was well organised with his doctor in Brookland and a
lawyer at Ahford. He looked after and provided for his men. His
downfall came on30th July 1826. He and his gang were returning
from Dover when he and his men were confronted by two
Blockade men, the gang opened fire seriously wounding them.
When news of this reached the authorities , they thought it was
time to put an end to these gangs. A reward was posted for
information leading to the capture of this gang. Ransley was
captured after he was betrayed by two of his own men. Several of
his men were also arrested. They were brought to trial at
Maidestone court on the 12th of January 1827. They pleaded guilty
being defended by their lawyer from Ashford the gang were to
hang, but after some incriminating evidence was given naming
people in high places and so on. Ransley and his men were sent to
Portsmouth.
After spending several months aboard a hulk (a prison ship),
they were transported to Tasmania where Ransley was put to
work on a prison farm. This suited him very well, he worked hard
and it was not long before he had his own land to work. His
family joined him out there, they soon became wealthy and friends
of the community.
Ransley died at the age of 77 from yellow jaundice. With his death
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fell the curtains on one of the greatest Kentish gangs and an end
to the smuggling fraternity.
Today our coasts still remain the most important, only the cargo has
changed to drugs and human trafficking.
- The Smugglers Gangs Aldington Gang -Alias 'South Kent Gang' or 'The Blues'
Early leader was Cephus Quested, hung 4 July 1821. George Ransley
took over leadership along with two cousins James and William (the
'Rascally Brothers'). The cousins died at the gallows at Penenden
Heath in August 1800 for horse stealing and robbing the King's mail.
George Ransley 1780-1856 died of yellow jaundice in Tasmania
where he had been deported.
Hawkhurst Gang
Formed 1740's by Arthur Grey. Leadership was taken over by
Thomas Kingsmill in 1747. 1749 saw the end of the main leaders.
Groombridge Gang
Said to be run by the Bowra family. Young John, Grandfather Thomas
and father John The gang was betrayed by Jerome Knapp 1749.
Mayfield Gang
Leader Gabriel Thompkins otherwise Kit Jams 1717-1750.
Hawkhurst, Groombridge and Mayfield gangs worked very much
together.
Callis Court Gang
Leader Jos Snelling 1741,1769 involved in the battle of Botney Bay
between Foreness Point and Kingsgate. He was the most famous
Broadstairs smuggler He died aged 96 Son George and grandson
both took part in smuggling.
North Kent Smugglers
First recorded in 1820, used the coastline between the River Medway
and Ramsgate, Reculver being a favourite landing place. Burntwick
Island at the mouth of the Medway was also used.
Whitstable Smugglers
The best known episode was a raid on an escort of nine soldiers
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carrying a toad of captured gin with 53 smugglers involved; they
recovered their gin Retribution followed when 18 year old John
Knight was tried and hung at Maidstone. During the war years a
profitable business was made shipping out French prisoners of war.
- Day of Syn Novels Dr Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh
The first Dr Syn novel written in 1915, we are introduced to the
complex Christopher Syn, the kindly vicar of the little town of
Dymchurch.
Dr Syn on the High Seas
The second in the series written in 1935, the story recalls his
early life as a young Oxford scholar who cast aside the Bible for
the sword. In his quest for revenge
he takes to the sea to find his
enemy and he became Captain
Clegg.
Dr Syn Returns
Dr Syn returns to become the vicar
of Dymchurch along with Mr Mipps
who became the village Sexton and
undertaker. He occupied the pulpit
by day and rode the marshes by
night as a smuggler, the scarecrow
with his demon riders.
The Further Adventures of Dr
Syn
This details Syn’s adventures as
leader of the gang loyal to his King.
He aided the destruction of French
privateers in the Channel.
The Courageous Exploits of Dr Syn
Dr. Syn, leader of the nightriders, meets his most dangerous
enemy, Captain Blaine of the Royal Navy. The scarecrow
becomes a national hero.
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The Amazing Quest of Dr Syn
Welshman arrives in Dymchurch to identify Dr Syn to inform
him he has inherited a vast sum of money. He is then sought by
a villain who plans to kill him and obtain his money.The
Shadow of Dr Syn
Once again the Reverend Dr Syn, the notorious smuggler rides
as the scarecrow at the head if his nightriders on the Romney
Marsh. Dr. Syn’s real identity comes to light when the King’s
men come to Dymchurch. The strange part he played in the
mystery of Romney Marsh makes Dr Syn a decidedly unusual
and thrilling story.
You can purchase these Dr Syn books at the Romney Marsh
Visitor Centre in Dymchurch Road.
- Dymchurch War Memorial The memorial is situated between the Churchyard and the New Halls
walled garden The memorial was chosen to be in the form of a cross
after a public meeting on January 2st 1919 and erected on the site
given by the authorities of the level. An enclosed area laid out as a
garden, the work designed and carried out under the supervision of
Mr A H Ryan Tenison FRIBA.
The cross to follow the lines of
the Cross of Sacrifice as those
being erected in British War
Cemeteries by the government in
France. The work to be carried
out by local labour, monies were
invited from local residents and
friends of Dymchurch to honour
the memory of those men who
gave their lives in the great war
of freedom. By October 16th
1920 the sum of 267pounds 12s
8d was raised.
The cross, made of sand stone by
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sculptors Hitch and son was duly erected by local labour With the
inscriptions
1911
1910
1939
1945
THE GLORY OF GOD, AND IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF
DYMCHURCH AND EASTBRIDGE WHO GAVE THERE LIVES IN THE
GREAT WARS OF RIGHT ANND FREEDOM.
DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY
- The New Hall The New Hall in Dymchurch is a building of special interest
dating from 1859, and replaced an earlier timber building
destroyed by fire. Dymchurch was the seat of government on the
Romney Marsh and the Lords
of
the Level, Jurats and Bailiffs
met to discuss and rule the
marshland.
The primary concern of the
Lords was the effective
maintenance of the walls and
drainage of the marshes, the
group still meets annually
although legislation has
removed their former ruling powers.
Inside the New Hall is the 18th century court room which was
active until the last case in 1951 and is now a museum.
- St Peter & St Pauls Church First built in the 12th Century but as the population altered and
grew the church underwent many alterations & restorations. The
Norman north wall & steeple were demolished but other Roman
walls still remain as do the north west and south doorways.
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In the churchyard a number of gravestones are decorated with
the skull and cross bones, two
tombstones in particular catch the
eye, that of Solomon Pepper, a
character from the Dr Syn stories,
another is Charles Keeley, a
smuggler killed near the Ship inn
by, midshipman Richard Morgan
who was himself killed by the
Aldington gang in 1826 in Dover.
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