This sign is to be found on the wall of 'The Smugglers Inn' Alfriston, East Sussex and is kept in good repair. When first erected, you can imagine the Edwardian scene as intrepid bicyclists rode out from Lewes or Eastbourne to descend upon this picturesque Downland village - daring 'gels' and dashing blades speeding along on their single speed Rudges and Sunbeams with probably an enforced break or two to mend a puncture caused by the horseshoe nails that would have littered the lanes. The reward of a refreshing glass of Fryco lemonade and a plate of scones at the end of the ride would have spurred them on to greater feats of derring-do. Long beloved of tourists, the 'tea Shoppe' trade still flourishes here and yet the pubs too have their place. The ancient 'Star' with its George and Dragon carvings over the door and its ferocious carved lion ships' figurehead is simply beautiful in its gloomy 'shaft of sunlight' saloon bar way. An early 'Trust House' Inn, it has been 'got at' over the years but still maintains a majesty that would be difficult to subdue. People like EV Lucas and the early guide book pioneers never failed to list its charms. Alfriston also supports the admirable 'Much ado about books' bookshop; run by a charming Bostonian (that's Mass. rather than Lincs) they specialise in the sort of titles that might find favour and stimulate the interest of the readers of Peter Ashley's 'Unmitigated' books for instance. It's a pleasant village probably best visited in the Autumn, Winter and Spring, for the tourist hoards can be oppressive. Not to be confused with Alciston, which Sussex in her perverse way places about four miles westward...nice and much loved by author and film maker Peter James.
3 comments:
What a superb sign. I obviously want one. One of the other early guidebook writers who visited The Star was J.J.Hissey, who went on about it for about six pages.
They weigh a ton...cast iron. One of the most apposite of these was attached to a pub called the Bicycle Arms just outside Mayfield - the pub closed and I thought "I'll have that bugger" but when I went to liberate it all that was left was a light patch on the wall where it had hung for donkeys years. I have a nice two volume Hissey which I inherited from the dear old dad-in-law, so I'll pour myself a refreshing glass of Tom Paine and re-read that section. Thanks for reminding me.
I forget which Hissey the reference is in, but he's still worth reading once you get passed his going on about the weather and moaning about railways and plate glass windows.
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