Bobservation No. 145: The Last Post

In the spirit of Bob Rowland, who died last week, it seems appropriate to make some observations on how to be a key part of the local community.

It helps to live in the community for decades, be on good terms with everyone around you and to have a beautiful bluebell garden which you open to all every spring. More formally, you can get involved in the Parish Council and support it long after you finish your term. Or perhaps run a Social Committee to protect village activities and assets. But how do you fund these? Well, you could run an award winning Village Fair, or you could hold an annual Call My Bluff wine evening and tell a few ‘edgy’ stories to spice things up a bit. Later in life you can reflect on village matters, world affairs or social inequity every month in the village newsletter or website. Then maybe become involved in regular quotations meetings to debate the deeper philosophical topics with other villagers.

Bob did all of these things and much more – of course supported and encouraged by Pam.
He was a true gentleman and an example for us all of what community involvement means. Fulking will miss him.

Bobservation No. 144: Climate Change

We have just experienced a summer much warmer than previously. This is a warning to all of us to prepare for even more change in the future, particularly as ‘EL NINO’ will be assisting in the next few years.
As a village we need to be particularly aware of vulnerable neighbours.

Realizing that change of attitude to the use of motorized vehicles of all types is harder for villagers, with public transport being practically non-existant, the only real possibility is changing to an electric car which many villagers will find beyond their means.

It will be interesting to see what developments happen to our way of life in the oncoming years.

Bobservation No.143: Lords and Halls

Peerage
Cartoon image of Lord leaping with palace of Westminster in background. Cartoon AI generated.I have been involved with Fulking village for the last 35 years and in that time I do not recall ever hearing of a villager being given the honour of a peerage. Nick Stace OBE and his family have been around in Fulking as long as I have. I am sure Nick fully deserves the honour and you would have to go a long way to meet a nicer guy. I am sure villagers will join me in offering our congratulations to Nick and hope that he stays connected with Fulking for many more years.

Village Hall
I understand that the rumour about a hiccup relating the purchase of the village hall from the Church Of England will quite possibly be correct.

Bobservation No. 142: Climate Change

At last, the natural effect of Climate Change and Global Heating is becoming more and more obvious. Those who claim it is not and will not happen are looking more ignorant. Of course, the principal culprit is fossil fuel which has financially powerful supporters. This means that if a really serious global move towards solar and wind power is to be made then the time has come. Even the remarkable transition by China still has a long way to go until coal is no longer necessary. At village level solar panels, external heat pumps and electric vehicles seem to be the only way forward at present. All of these are relatively expensive and in many cases beyond the financial reach of many people. Perhaps a really low rate of interest loan nationally would assist this. Another thought would be to finance this at parish or County Council level. In the specific case of any improvement to Fulking village hall I hope that Climate Change will be serious consideration.