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Local History
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First appearing in the Domesday Book as “Sancta Margharita”, the history of St. Margaret’s revolves around its location. It is said in 1367 a hermit monk, one Nicholas de Legh, kept a light burning in a cave to warn mariners of the dangerous shores. In more modern times Thomas Edison first tried an electric light at the South Foreland Lighthouse in 1859.
On a murkier note St. Margaret’s also had a reputation for smuggling. In fact it is said that the 12th century church tower itself was used to store the gear required to haul the contraband up the cliffs...
From late Victorian times St. Margaret's developed as a holiday resort and a retreat for the well to do. Among those who have stayed or lived here were Lord Arthur Cecil, Lord Byron, Admiral Seymour, Marie Corelli, Max Beerbohm, George Arliss, Noel Coward, Ian Fleming and Peter Ustinov.
The coming of the Second World War saw all but the most essential civilians evacuated and the area occupied by troops. The village was subject to almost daily bombardment and became known as “Hell-fire Corner”. The gun emplacements included some old 16-inch naval guns called Winnie and Pooh which, when fired, did more damage to local windows than they did to the enemy!
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