Latest News of Local Interest

Wine from Wolstonbury (2022 update)

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Wolstonbury vineyard

Weeks of hot, dry weather means vines are “flourishing”, setting winemakers up for a bumper yield of grapes this year .. The drought has helped to keep mildew and pests at bay, while the hot weather has helped grapes to ripen, said Ivan Weightman, co-owner of Wolstonbury vineyard in West Sussex. “So far, so good with the heat,” he said. “The vines are certainly loving it, the bunches are swelling, and yeah, it looks great.” [Click here for the full MSN report.]

Bobservation 95: BobsOvation

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Farewell
Well finally you are going to get rid of me! Except I would love to score a century of Bobservations and perhaps we can find a way so I can do that. Pam & I will be moving house to Henfield on 12 August. Fulking has been the centre of our world for 30 years now. Furzefield has given us many happy hours, gardening , conservation and entertaining and our successors Rich, Sarah, Archie and Barnsley will be ideal custodians of the bluebells, badgers and everything else, and I know very good additions to the Fulking social scene. It is this scene that I am going to miss a lot. Over the years Fulking has provided a social life and hobby that it would have been very hard to find anywhere else in the world. I have so many happy memories of wonderful people and great times particularly, I suppose, the Call my Bluff quizzes and of course the annual Fulking Fair (see below!).

Fulking Fair
Well! we had the 2022 Fulking Fair and got perfect summer weather and the RSPCA fun dog show found some shade under the trees. Due to exceptional teamwork we managed to have a truly wonderful afternoon. I think we all learnt a little about each other and I am sure next year we can make some improvements but that happens every time! I just hope you will let me be involved in some way even though I will no longer be a resident of this wonderful (secular!) parish.

Bobservation No. 94: Mick Gaule RIP

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What a very touching send off for Mick when we toasted his last journey from the balcony of the Shepherd & Dog. He was one of the very last oldies who had lived in Fulking most or all of their lives. Such a lovely gentleman and I think would like to be remembered as a great ferreter!.

Fulking Fair
With only three weeks to go until Fulking Fair 2022 I thought it might be of interest if I gave you an idea of how many villagers are involved in specific contributions of their time. I set out below in no particular order, those who are helping, with apologies to anyone who I have left out: Geoff & Jenny Shepherd & Dog bar, Tina music, Clive BBQ, Rosemary & Mick Tombola, Linda Terry Danny & Adrian parking, Sally First aid BBQ  Art Advertising Flyer Samantha Pitch set-up and allocation, Tricia Teas & Cakes and First aid, Carol Treasurer, Myriam & Bea Henna Tattoo painting, Angela Children’s games, Stuart & Nick Traffic Control, Jen Donation Box, Chris Art, Karen Social Media advertising, Laurence Simon & family Traffic  and Fair advertising signs, Jenny & Julian Electricity, George & Sarah Use of field, AND in addition to our homegrown BBQ and entertainment we will have the RSPCA fun dog show and food from Rushfields’ Pies, Safari Pizzas, Indulgent Ice Cream, Rob Padley’s Coffee & On the Hoof  Moroccan Kebabs. Stalls will be displays by the National Trust, the Woodland Trust, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Central Sussex Beekeepers, Sustainable Henfield 2030.  There will be many stalls along the Street and in the North Town Field with games and products for sale but please remember TEAS & CAKES in the village hall, The best ever BOTTLE TOMBOLA in the field, Shepherd & Dog bar and Clive Miller’s BBQ. All donations and any surplus from the Fair are in aid of the Village Hall.

Agenda for Parish Council Meeting Thursday 7th July 2022

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Dear All, 

You are cordially invited to the Ordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council on Thursday 7th July 2022 at 7.30pm, to be held at the Village Hall. The meeting will consider the items set out below. 

Trevor Parsons – Parish Clerk  

AGENDA 

Public Participation: There will be a period of 15 minutes set aside at the beginning of the meeting for the public to ask questions or make comments on items on the Agenda. Comments on items not appearing on the agenda can be made at the chairman’s discretion.  

22/047/OM.            Apologies for Absence. 

22/048/OM.            Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

22/049/OM.            Approve the Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting of 7th April 2022.  

22/050/OM.            Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions To clarify and report on actions brought forward from the last meeting.  

1) Speed Indicator Device 

2) Market Gardens  

22/051/OM.            Village Hall Update  

22/052/OM.             Asset Inventory and Maintenance 

22/053/OM.              SDNPA Planning – Gary Marsh 

22/054/OM.             Information Items.  To receive information and items for the agenda at future meetings. 

22/055/OM.              Correspondence.  To discuss correspondence and respond to correspondence received. 

22/056/OM.              Financial Matters. To receive the report on the Council’s income and to approve future expenditure. 

22/057/OM.               To set a date for the next Ordinary Meeting in October 2022. 

Bobservation No. 93: Sheena Trist RIP

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Sheena Trist is no longer with us. What an inadequate comment for a very good friend who had the distinction of having been a Parish Councillor, Chair of the Parish Council and Parish Clerk at various times. Villagers of her ilk seem to be fewer and fewer these days. Our thoughts go out to Michael and Hollie. We will miss her.

The funeral arrangements for Sheena are: 2 pm on Friday 10th June at St Andrew’s, Edburton, and afterwards at Tottington Manor. All would be most welcome.

Parish Events
I understand that only one member of the public attended the Annual Parish Meeting and can only hope that this might be due to Covid hangover. If it was just apathy I beg you all to get involved in this wonderful village. I have a gut feeling that some villagers have no intention of getting involved in any activities. So be it. The reasons really are not important, but it would be good if the Social Committee gets more active input from Parish Councillors and that villagers make a greater effort to attend and indeed support the Parish Council. It used to be so much better and can be again with a positive approach on both sides.

Fulking Fair
This is going to be a REALLY successful year for Fulking Fair in the North Town Field on Sunday 24 July from 12 until 5pm incorporating the RSPCA fun dog show, live music, Shepherd & Dog bar, Clive Miller’s BBQ, Rushfield’s Pies, Safari pizzas, Indulgent Ice Cream, Teas &Cakes in the Village Hall, Children’s games, Tombola and all manner of stalls. Do please put this in your diary it will be THE village event of 2022.