The name Blackham came from Black (boggy) Hamlet and was recorded by Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, as a settlement in the Buckhurst Terrier of 1597/98 but its origins are much earlier, circa 1296 when it was recorded in a subsidy roll from the reign of King Edward III. It also appears as ‘Blackhame’ in a 1411 subsidy roll of Henry IV.

More recent history (18th and 19th Century) suggests it was a popular stop for smugglers (the Groombridge Gang, 1733) carrying goods from the coast, probably Lydd, Fairlight or Pevensey Bay. The Toll Farm Pond was a likely hiding place for contraband. Blackham was also infamous for its rough reputation and shady inhabitants “Roughs and Prizefighters”.

Things are a little different now. In more recent times, our little community of around 300 people has enjoyed umpteen social events and community endeavours over its history. Details can be found at the Blackham Village History Website on blackham-village.co.uk.

With an active Village Hall as a hub for community networking, a tiny brick church - Blackham All Saints in the Parish of Withyham, and social groups such as The Blackham Players, we are a community who happily enjoy each others’ company. BETSI creates events that build on these foundations offering outdoor and indoor events.