Author: LocHist
South Downs News, April issue
SDNPA Chief Executive Trevor Beattie claims that “there are already signs that the lock-down has reinvigorated many people’s love of nature”, presumably analogous to the way in which going on the wagon reinvigorates a love of alcohol. He will surely be lobbying for regular lock-downs in future years. There’s a link (to a link (to a link ..)) to “a detailed map [that] has been created for people to find food, drink and other support services close to where they live” which turns out to be every bit as dire as earlier food-related cartographic efforts by the SDNPA (The South Downs Sahara in 2015, and The South Downs Sahara (update) in 2017). Food is unobtainable in Steyning, apparently.
On the positive side, page 10 features a photo of David Ellin and Annie Brown, though they are not quoted or identified, and page 12 advertises a 3-part Facebook video instruction series by an ‘animal behaviourist’ on walking the dog (the animal, not the Rufus Thomas song).
2020 Fulking Fair cancelled
My Committee have agreed with me that it will be quite impossible to hold the annual Fulking Fair on Sunday 26th July this year. Accordingly it is with much regret I have to tell you that the Fair is cancelled. I invite all of you to participate on Sunday 25th July 2021 when I hope these difficult times will have passed. Take good care of yourselves ..
Bob Rowland
Chairman of Fulking Social Committee
MSDC car park charges suspended
This may be relevant to you if you are planning a trip to East Grinstead or Haywards Heath but not if you are about to undertake an emergency supplies mission to Henfield or Steyning (which are both HDC, not MSDC).
Addendum: HDC has in fact suspended parking charges in all HDC owned car parks “to help Horsham residents” (??). This arrangement will be in place until 22nd April 2020 and will then be reviewed. More here.
Downland Benefice Video Service
The church buildings may be closed but yesterday we had a successful virtual service using Zoom. To find out how it is done and to join us next week, email me.
On the market
Downland Benefice Churches Closed
You will of course be aware that the Prime Minister has said that places of worship are to be closed; I have been instructed by the Archbishops and our bishop that the buildings are to be locked. I have placed notices in each of our churches to that effect and, very sadly, the doors will remain locked for the time being. The Archbishops have also said that until further notice we may not conduct weddings or baptisms – so please remember in your thoughts and prayers those whose special days have been disrupted.
Fulking COVID19 Resources
The ‘About Our Village’ menu in the left sidebar of this website has a new menu item: ‘COVID19 Support’. At present it just contains a two page PDF (‘Fulking COVID19 Action Plan’) drafted by the Parish Council. However, it is intended to include other relevant material as it becomes available.
Downland Benefice Services
The decision has been made that public worship will be suspended for the time being. The four Benefice churches will remain open for private prayer during normal opening hours. Weddings, baptisms and funerals will still be able to take place but with as few people as possible in attendance. We we hope we will be able to get back to normal as soon as possible but in the meantime please hold one another in prayer in these challenging times.
[Note also that Toddlers (Fulking Village Hall) has been cancelled for the foreseeable future.]
A malignant tumour
Click the map to read a detailed report of last week’s LAMBS meeting in Henfield Hall.