In this episode Cole and Emily take a wander inland, but not too far… the Channel is still in sight as they look back across the Cuckmere Valley to the edge of England through rows and rows of vines. The salty sea mist still reaches this impressive, enchanting but until recently rather secretive wedge of farmland between Alfriston and Seaford that was bought by Sarah and Mark Driver and has been transformed into the Rathfinny Vineyard.
As we explore, Sarah tells us how her own history on the other side of the world has helped her put down her own roots in the chalky soil, among the vines and fields of barley.
Come with us on a walk back in time accompanied by kraken, sea snakes, bowler hats and bones. We start with an astonishing view and an enchanted moment outside the new visitor centre at Beachy Head. Emily and Cole’s guide through millions of years of history is Jo Seaman, heritage expert and story teller, who takes us deep under the sea and high over the cliffs. We dig down through layers of soil to uncover hidden treasures and strange tales connecting the past with the present. Find out why Jo has put down roots on the Edge of England, has his head in the stars, and has developed a special bond with a skeleton. The latest episode of the podcast exploring the fascinating people, places and stories of the South Coast. Let your ears bring you here. For more information on the centre visit The Beachy Head Story.
Mabel the podcast dog surveys the valley inland of Beachy Head, looking out towards Belle Tout and the sea
Welcome to the first of a new batch of Edge of England episodes, exploring people and place along this curious, glorious stretch of coastline. We kick off season three with a very personal episode inspired by the wellbeing weekend that the lovely people at East Sussex libraries are having for Mental Health Awareness Week. In our first walk together for quite some time, Cole and Emily take a route skirting the very edge of the South Downs above Eastbourne and it all gets quite confessional. Plug in your ears, feel the wind in your hair and come along for a stroll as we reflect on the saving power of nature, big skies, and the mysterious draw of the ‘sky pool’.
There’s nothing we like more than to invite you and your ears on a wander along the coast and through the South Downs with us. Our walks together stopped when the first lockdown struck but our conversations didn’t. Here’s one we recorded during that time, exploring a story written by Cole set in the stunning landscape of the Belle Tout, Beachy Head and Seven Sisters, this time with added songs. Emily and Cole discuss Cole’s novel ‘The Light Keeper’ and why sometimes, love takes you to the edge.
Our new series begins later this month. We’re delighted to have been invited by East Sussex libraries to talk about our podcast as part of their well-being weekend. The benefits of walking and talking in and around the wonderful edge of England is the focus of our next episode, coming very soon.
We return to the curious life of Parson Darby, whose gravestone says he was the sailor’s friend. Was he a hero? Was he helping the smugglers? Emily and Cole are keen to discover more about the local legend who spent his nights keeping a light alive in a hole in the cliffs near Birling Gap and Beachy Head, so visit historian and writer Elizabeth Wright in today’s episode, recorded on a hot summer’s day in 2019. Elizabeth plays valiant referee to Emily and Cole’s theorising and sparring, defends the parson with passionate eloquence and reveals a surprising twist in the tale, after being contacted by members of a family in the United States who claim to have links to the tragic, heroic Darbys.
On a lovely day, with far too many people about (according to Cole), we go in search of the truth about a local legend, Parson Darby. Just who was the vicar who spent hours sitting in a hole in a cliff shining a light? Where was that hole? Did he save lives? Help smugglers? Die of a broken heart? Another fascinating story from the Edge of England, uncovered and told by award-winning broadcasters Cole Moreton and Emily Jeffery.
Lockdown might have stopped us humans spreading our wings over the past year, but it hasn’t stopped the birds making their incredible journeys. A rare bearded vulture was seen soaring over the chalk cliffs back in the Autumn and white-tailed eagles from the Isle of Wight have been spotted over Beachy Head recently. The eagles were photographed by a man called Beachy Birder, whose blog and Twitter feed are fascinating even if you’re even just a little bit interested in birds and their interaction with this windswept stretch of Sussex coastline. We join Beachy Birder up on the headland to explore the wonders of nature and the nature of obsession. Have you seen Detectorists? This is a bit like that, with wings.
Sometimes, and only sometimes, the sea is so calm as it tickles the edge of England that the gentle tease and retreat of the waves over the shingle sounds like breathing. Closing your eyes, hearing the repetitive rasp of pebbles and water and feeling the sun on your face can take you to a happy place. A safe place. This is the story of Misgana, who came to the South Coast from Eritrea as a young girl, without really knowing why. The episode is about finding safety. Navigating through unfamiliar territories, new languages, and unexpected and difficult challenges. It’s also about finding a new place to call home.
There’s a whiff of Spring in the air, and with it a whiff of hope. Change is coming. In this episode we’re taking you back down another meandering path to the sea, past an equally meandering river, the Cuckmere. A few cottages cling precariously close to the edge of the land at the mouth of the river, framing a world-famous view where the land meets the sea. You may have seen them in the movie Atonement or the television series Luther or on any number of postcards, posters and posts. It’s an ever-changing landscape, as the chalk cliffs are moulded and bashed by the elements. There are many who want to save both the view, and the precious habitats it contains, both natural and man-made. This is a story about one of the people who has fallen in love with this remarkable stretch of English coastline, and has felt compelled to use his skills as a musician to create a unique festival here. Cellist Anthony Albrecht plays a lovely bit of Bach and tells us more about why he’s drawn to this place and about his role in the campaign to protect the Cuckmere Coastguard cottages.
If you want to find out about the latest developments and more about the campaign here are some links you might be interested in.
What’s even better than a good walk and talk in the glorious outdoors? Doing it with a new friend who takes us to a new place. When writer and podcaster Giles-Paley-Phillips joins us near his home in Seaford we wander past a row of unit vehicles on location for the film ‘Hope Gap’. It’s now been released on Netflix, so along with our audio ‘pictures’ of this amazing landscape, you can watch the film and see what we’re on about. Despite Emily’s best efforts she didn’t spot Bill Nighy – maybe he’ll agree to be a guest on a future episode. What we did encounter were dazzling white cliffs, a hidden cove, enticing rock pools and a Spitfire. (Watch out for that Spitfire in coming episodes: strangely, it becomes a recurring them). The latest shiny new edit of an episode of Edge of England with Cole Moreton and Emily Jeffery, released each week during lockdown.
Giles Paley-Phillips shows Emily Jeffery the view from Hope Gap
Edge of England 