Enduring appeal of those secret tunnels

'But why would there be a secret tunnel?' I asked. She explained to me that if the soldiers saw the French fleet on the horizon, the tunnel would facilitate their escape. I told her that there was no evidence of a tunnel under the tower. The fact that it was built on loose shingle and the old river bed was between the tower and Corsica Hall would make digging a tunnel virtually impossible. In any case the garrison was there to defend the coast so the authorities would hardly build in a means for them to desert!

But the lady was adamant '“ there was a secret tunnel under the tower and that was that!

What is it about secret tunnels? A few years ago headlines in the Sussex Express reported that residents of Blatchington Hill were concerned about heavy lorries using the road 'because of all the secret tunnels'.

While researching the history of the Crypt I was told that there was a secret tunnel that led from the medieval undercroft to the church. Unfortunately, two archaeological excavations have failed to find any evidence. The church is also rumoured to have tunnels leading to the Plough Inn and two premises in Broad Street.

But what would be the point in all these tunnels? Ah '¦ smugglers of course; everyone knows the vicar was in league with smugglers '“ haven't we all seen the evidence in those 1930s black and white films?

Thinking about it sensibly, in the 18th century it would have been pitch black at night and dark enough to move any contraband around. Excavating tunnels would have required the removal of tons of white chalk spoil which would have surely given the game away to the authorities. It is not easy to build tunnels through chalk which, being so close to the coastline would have had to be propped and pumped. Sussex has no history of tunnelling '“ St Clements Caves in Hastings were dug from sandstone and in any case are way above the water table. So why all these stories? I have seen cellars dug into chalk where alcoves have been cut into the walls to provide extra storage. Some of these alcoves are deep and maybe mistaken for tunnel entrances.

During the Second World War the first real tunnels were dug deep into the Downs at Denton and at Cuckmere Haven but these were built by Royal Engineers. Geoff Ellis has sent me this photo of Royal Engineers who were based in Seaford while excavating the tunnels of HMS Forward at Denton. The tunnellers are at a dance in Seaford in 1941 and many seem to have made good friends with the local girls!

I would be fascinated to see evidence of secret tunnels in Seaford and I do hope someone is able to prove me wrong.

KEVIN GORDON