Whilst the possible purchase of the village hall from the Church is being discussed by the Parish Council, it is relevant to point out that, whatever happens, the annual costs of running the hall including maintenance and repairs will continue to increase because of the age of the building and, I guess, will be upwards of £3000 pa. in the immediate future. On current performance it will be difficult to raise this sort of money (this year’s fair raised between £800 and £900, some of which may be needed for the North Town Field). So far as I can see there is no easy answer to this and without a generous donor it will be difficult to continue. Perhaps a way forward is to ask the Parish Council to look into whether it is possible for them to take on the expense of running the hall with an increase in the precept, in this way all villagers would share the cost. It might be a sensible path to take.
Latest News of Local Interest
Bobservation No. 107: Gill Milner RIP
Gill Milner
Another passing away of a much loved villager. Gill had lived at the Old Post Office for many years and had operated the shop there in the days when Fulking had a shop! More recently her health had made it necessary for her to join family in Sheffield but before going she had become a stalwart of the Toddlers Group and a highly respected member of the Quotations Group. The last couple of years have been sad ones with villagers passing away. We will miss you Gill.
Fulking Fair 2023
Having moved the fair to a new location at Long Clays field on the Edburton Road it was always going to be very much a trial and error year. Driven by Sally’s tremendous enthusiasm and with dedicated support from the rest of the committee, a very acceptable fair evolved. The weather stayed dry, but the wind gave rise to quite a few problems and, it is fair to say, did have a detrimental effect on the event as many as one in three stallholders crying off. Despite all this the fair was a success. The food, drinks, music, demonstrations, tombola, tug of war, children’s games, stalls, donations, parking, access, direction signs all worked very well. And to top it all, Ann Bolton of RSPCA reports that they had a most successful day. Wherever the fair is held it will always be dependant on good summer weather and so I was left with the impression that Long Clays is worth another go in 2024, but with strict control over the placement of stalls and demonstrations. The annual fair brings villagers together better than any other event and justifies the effort purely on social grounds. Early unconfirmed reports indicate a surplus of around £1000 on the day. One special thank you to the Steel Tribe Band for putting on such a foot stomping performance, please come back next year.
Planning Meeting – Land North of The Dean, Poynings Road, Fulking
You are cordially invited to an Extraordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council, on Wednesday 26th July 2023 at 7.00pm via Microsoft Teams where the meeting will consider the items set out below. The public is invited to this meeting so please contact Trevor Parsons – Parish Clerk on 07767 422733 or at parishclerk@fulking.net if you would like to join this meeting.
Mark Hind – Chairman
Following the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, and regarding regulations on Access to Local Government Meetings, members of the public are advised that they have a right to film/record the meetings of Fulking Parish Council. Members of the public are also advised that by attending a meeting of Fulking Parish Council, they give their consent to being filmed/recorded by other members of the public, if such activity is taking place.
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.
23/062/PM. Apologies for Absence.
23/063/PM. Declaration of Members’ Interests.
23/064/PM. Planning matters – SDNP/23/02588/FUL
Location: Land North of The Dean Poynings Road Fulking West Sussex
Proposal: To change the use of land from agriculture to private equestrian, including construction a single a stable block comprising 3 stables, hay store, feed store and tack room with an adjacent manure bay.
Date of next Ordinary Meeting to be Thursday 12th October 2023.
Bobservation No. 106: Anne Hind RIP
Anne Hind
Sadly there is another village death to report, adding to the other villagers who have passed away during the last twelve months. Anne Hind, such an attractive and charming lady, was taken by emergency to hospital but it was not possible to save her. She was of no great age and the shock to her husband Mark must have been quite horrific. I am sure everyone one who knew her was greatly saddened by her passing.
Fulking Fair
The annual fair on Sunday 16 July from midday till 5pm is being driven along by the Chair of the Social Committee, Sally Brownie, and given decent weather will be a tremendous local attraction. Centre stage will be RSPCA fun dog show and support will come from some interesting live music with Henfield Ukulele band, the Steel tribe band, Tenderhooks and The Pycombe PV choir, many entertaining stalls selling teas and homemade cakes, plants, flowers, jewellery, canine treats accessories and training, many children’s games and interests, Tug of War, a large array of food stalls including the Shepherd & Dog bar and BBQ, Indian Home cooking, crepes, pizzas, hot dogs, Ice cream, Fudge, pies, bakeries. In addition to all this a mammoth bottle Tombola. The new location at Long Clays on the Edburton road with adjacent parking will save visitors the walk from one end of the village to the fairground. There will be demonstrations and displays by Sustainable Henfield 2030, Henfield Spinners & weavers, Tottington Woodlanders, HART, hedgelaying, Woodland Trust, Sussex Wildlife Trust and more.
Parish Council Meeting – Thursday 7th July 2023
You are cordially invited to the Ordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council on Thursday 6th July 2023 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.
23/047/OM. Apologies for Absence.
23/048/OM. Declaration of Members’ Interests.
23/049/OM. Councillors Statement.
23/050/OM. Approve the Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting of 16th March 2023 and Planning Meetings of 23rd March and 3rd April 2023.
23/051/OM. Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions To clarify and report on actions brought forward from the last meeting.
23/052/OM. Reports from District and County Councillors.
23/053/PM. Planning Application SDNP/23/02336/LIS
Location: Customary Cottage The Street Fulking West Sussex BN5 9LU
Proposal: General conservation and repair works. Structural repairs to gable end. External and internal alterations including replacement of modern fenestration, lowering of ground floor level and cleaning of historic timbers and masonry. Minor landscape works
23/054/PM. Planning Application SDNP/23/02531/LIS
Location: Customary Cottage The Street Fulking West Sussex BN5 9LU
Proposal: Conversion of attic space including enlargement of existing hatch, insertion of timber ladder and reinforcing platform
23/055/OM New Councillor Co-option
23/056/OM. Playground Update
23/057/OM. Village sign
23/058/OM. Information Items. To receive information and items for the agenda at future meetings.
23/059/OM. Correspondence. To discuss correspondence and respond to correspondence received.
23/060/OM. Financial Matters. To receive the report on the Council’s income and to approve future expenditure.
23/061/OM. To set a date for the next Ordinary Meeting in October 2023.
Bobservation No. 105: Fulking Fair 2023
Fulking Fair
This year’s fair will, as usual, be centred on the RSPCA fun dog show. In addition there will be childrens games, tattoo face painting, a competition, races and Tug of War. Food will include Crepes, Fudge, BBQ, Hot dogs, Pies, Bakeries, Pizzas, Ice Cream, Cakes, Biltong, Fresh fruit, Hot caramelized sandwiches, Homemade cakes, Preserves, Indian home cooking. Liquid refreshment by the Shepherd & Dog, teas, coffees, beers & wines, cocktails. Demonstrations by HART, Woodland Trust, hedgelaying, woodworking, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Henfield spinners & weavers. Music by Tenderhooks, Henfield Ukulele band, Pyecombe Choir. Doggie things like pet portraits, dog collars, dog & pet food, dog training. Sales stalls including childrens books, jewellery, leatherwork, bric a brac, caps & hats, ladies clothing, cards & gifts, flowers. Information from Fulking Parish Council, Sustainable Henfield 2030. AND an exceptional TOMBOLA to win great value prizes.
Ok! So I know we are missing a couple of F-16 fighters and a troop of Chieftain tanks but you can’t say we didn’t try!!
All of this takes a number of volunteers to make it work in an acceptable manner. If you have not already done so please contact Sally Brownie to see what you can do to help.
Annual Parish Meeting – Thursday 18th May 2023 – 7.30pm
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday 18th May at 7.30pm at Fulking Village Hall.
Agenda: Annual Meeting of Council
23/038/AMC Chairman’s Welcome followed by Election of Chairman & Vice Chairman
Agenda: Annual Parish Meeting
23/039/APM Apologies for Absence
23/040/APM Approval of previous years’ minutes Annual Parish Meeting 12th May 2022
23/041/APM Chairman’s report
23/042/APM Reports from District & County Councillors
23/043/APM Questions to Matthew Thompson Communities Lead – Fulking Water Treatment Works
23/044/APM. To consider and agree the Internal Audit Report Letter dated 20/04/2022.
23/045/APM. To consider and agree the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for the year ending 31 March 2022 ensuring it accurately presents the financial management of the Council as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.
23/046/APM. Date of next Ordinary Meeting Thursday 6th July 2023.
Bobservation No. 104: No Election, No Mow
No Mow May
On Monday 1 May ‘No Mow May’ will commence. This wonderful idea created by ‘Plantlife’ seeks to get us all through the month of May without mowing our grass. Of course, unless you are rewilding 100%, it is allowable to create mowed paths which will enable Robins and Blackbirds to source insects. Otherwise it will free the wildflowers so they can grow wild, provide a feast for pollinators and lock away atmospheric carbon below ground. Now this all sounds very easy but most British gardeners have been brought up with a ‘cricket pitch’ mentality, this encourages large swathes of beautifully geometrically mown green lawn to delight the eye; you must resist this archaic attitude and think of saving the planet from climate change. Beware of marriage destroying arguments! And remember there are no weeds only wildflowers growing in the wrong place!
Parish Council Elections
So it turns out that there is such a lack of interest in standing for election to the Parish Council in Fulking that there was no need to hold an election at all! I believe this means that Fulking continues to have a Parish Council of five unelected members and as vacancies occur villagers will be co-opted by invitation from the currently unelected but co-opted members. I think it is a great disappointment that current villagers are missing the chance to exercise their right to choose who they wish to represent them at the base of the whole democratic process. Of course, ideally, what should happen is that the whole Parish council should have to be re-elected individually at the end of each four year term, but alas such is not the case. I hasten to say this is in no way a criticism of the existing Parish Council.
Family History Workshop
How to start and help with exploring your family history and to hear from others about their family stories.
Lead by Sue Albery at Beeding & Bramber Village Hall on Wednesday 5th April 2023 at 7.45pm (entrance to car park is opposite the hall). Organized by Beeding and Bramber Local History Society, visitors welcome — £5 entry or join on the night — membership for 1 year only £15.