fulking.net - This is the community website for the people of Fulking, West Sussex

Bobservation No. 55: Twinning

I understand that, as a result of all the Brexit negotiations, West Sussex County Council have been approached by the head (Oberstgruppenstatsfuehrer) of the Bavarian (Bayern) local government (Landesschiffelhaus) enquiring about the possibility of twinning (zweimenschalldupples) Fulking with the Bavarian village of Fahrting.

Of course this would have to be agreed by the residents of both villages, probably by means of a referendum, which of course has proved remarkably successful in the UK recently. Assuming that such a vote was in favour of twinning the benefits could be exciting. October feast (Ocktoberfest) Leather shorts ( lederhosen) to be worn by Fulking men and blazers and cricket boots by their Fahrting counterparts on the anniversary of the twinning. Village ladies could take part wearing dirndl (dirndl) outfits and with guttural singing of local folkloric songs, dancing in clogs and permanent waving.

Fahrting is a village of some 250 residents and is best known for the local exceptional weather. The combination of the excessive rainfall brought about by the proximity of the Danube (Donau) and the extreme winds from the Alps (Alpen) are possibly the origin of the village’s name. Recent history has been unkind to Fahrting inasmuch as Adolf Hitler (der Fuehrer) thought the name vulgar (vuellengartengesellschaft) and treated the villagers as ethnically Romany (Romanicheren) with the most unpleasant results (resultenshaffelgesalt). Lastly, I hope that the villagers get as much pleasure out of Fahrting as they have done out of Fulking! 1.4.19

Fulking Fair and Allsorts fun dog show
The Social Committee will be meeting in the village hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 24 April to get this event (Sunday 28 July) off the ground. We need helpers so, if you are interested, please come and join us.

Bluebells
Usual annual invitation at Furzefield. All villagers welcome. Children under strict control and sorry, no dogs. Probably best around 20 April. Please give us a ring (271) before coming .

Notice of Parish Council Elections 2019

Bobservation 53: Winter Thoughts

Fulking Village from Downs in Snow Neighbours and Hedges
Now I know most of us have, at some time, fallen out with the next door neighbours over the hedge between two properties. In the 26 years we have been at Furzefield only one family of neighbours have reacted sympathetically and been prepared to see our point of view. These are our current neighbours Simon and Laurence who arrived, with their sons from London, not two years ago. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the way they have handled the matter. Curious that it takes an arrival from London to behave so well. Maybe we could all learn something from this. I have!!

John Ruskin
Friday February 8 will be the 200th anniversary of the art critic, writer and reformer John Ruskin’s birth. His memorial in Fulking is the fountain which graces the entrance to the North Town Field and the anniversary will be celebrated in London by an evening of readings and music at the Royal Academy. John Ruskin was instrumental in creating an efficient system of running water in Fulking in the 19th century which is now unfortunately defunct and only a facade. I imagine current Health and Safety regulations make any refurbishment of the system impossible. What a pity!.

Rampion Trench
Thanks for the manner in which the contractors have hidden the Rampion Trench and landscaped where it has crossed the highway. Rampion itself is, of course, a major local player in the fight against global warming, a battle that is probably the most important international problem of all.

Hopefully useful information
The recent death of my brother in law has, once again, reminded me how essential it is for the remaining partner to have all the useful information regarding finances, insurance, pensions, investments and other household details in an easily available place. It is quite simple to create a sheet of facts which can be regularly updated and prove a great help. Many widows (and widowers) find themselves at a complete loss to know how they stand financially and where to access details of all the contacts that are required when the unfortunate event occurs.

A Bobservation reply…

Bobservations are intended to ‘stir things up a bit’ as well as inform residents – here a comment on a recent observation-from-Bob, from Michael Trist, who knows a thing or two…

I was pleased to read Bobservation 47 (Village Demography), just as I am pleased to read all of the many and varied articles on this wonderful website. I am moved to respond, in support of Bob’s latest words, as I have ‘been there, done that’ with the Social Committee and its predecessors over the years.

I too have lived in Fulking for 26 years and observed similar trends in demography etc. I know what it’s like to juggle family life with little ones to care for (actually, just the one in my case), a career, and all the other many demands on our precious time. Before my health started to take unpredictable twists and turns some years ago, I did manage to somehow cram in some time to run things like the Barn Dances (anyone remember the wonderful ‘Moves Afoot’ band?) in the marquee in North Town Field, and help out wherever I could with the various incarnations of the Village Fair that have existed over the years.

Bob refers to Fulking as a “delightful place”. That phrase is worth pondering for a moment:
as well as living in a stunning location, we also have so much talent, energy, and love nestled in the homes of our community. We just need to tap in to a little of that ‘social reservoir’ and garner a few hours a year from enough people to make our social events happen: it’s really not as onerous as you might imagine. As Bob implies, the baton needs to be passed from those who have carried it for many years, on to those who have yet to take their turn. Please step in and help to nurture the spirit of what has been built up over the last couple of decades (and well before that). Watch this website for the dates of the meetings of the Social Committee, and come along to see how you can invest just a little of your time to reap very satisfying and enjoyable returns.

Finally, I cannot finish without paying tribute to Bob himself. I hope he doesn’t mind me calling him a Village Veteran: he has steered so many events himself, generously contributed his adding-up skills as a retired accountant, and has thrown a seemingly endless amount of energy in to our community. There are many other names I could mention (you know who you are) who have also given your time and energy, but Bob is at, or very near, the top of the list of when it comes to his relentless efforts to make Fulking a very special place to live. Thank you Bob.

Police Funding Survey

After increasing the amount we pay in our Council Tax for the Police, the frontline officer strength is being increased by 200 over the next 4 years.

The Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner believes that residents are willing to pay for more resources during the 2018-2022 period if the government removes the cap on the Police precept.

Please click this link to complete a survey to help her gauge the appetite for these increases. To find out more about this funding cycle, click here.

Bobservation 50 – Rev. Graham Jeffrey

GJ sketch of Church

I have been fortunate enough to know Graham for nearly all of the 26 years I have lived in Fulking.

As an atheist, having lapsed as a christian some 60 years ago, I have found that the basics of true socialism are very similar to the teachings of Christianity and this enables me to identify with what I believe is Graham’s mission.

And so, to get to the point, the news that he will be leaving us and retiring from the Downland Parishes, in particular St Andrews, Edburton, came as quite a shock and caused me to enquire of various villagers and churchgoers whether in their opinion his retirement was his choice or was he ’pushed’; I have not been able to come to a clear conclusion. Either way it seems that the days of Graham’s quite delightful carol service have gone, which in itself is a great pity.

What is an atheist doing at a carol service? I found the wonderful sense of community created by the regular full house each year quite moving and I love the nostalgia of the carols. It was created almost entirely by Graham’s personality.

It will be very interesting to see what effect his departure has on the size of the regular congregation at St. Andrews. Will it shrink or disappear? If so, what happens then? I am sure you will join me in wishing Graham success in whatever he chooses to do next, as I cannot see him actually retiring!

Note: Graham’s last service will be on Sunday 18th November at 11am, with drinks and cake after the service – details here

Bobservation 49 – Planning, Calendars & Parties

Parish Council Meeting
The recent Parish Council meeting gave rise to two somewhat concerning decisions. The first was an admission by one of our District Councillors that nothing could be done to prevent the demise through neglect of two or possibly three houses in Stammers Hill even though the neighbouring properties were being adversely affected. What a strange world we live in where thousands are desperately seeking a permanent home and yet existing properties are allowed to fall into disrepair. Surely simple legislation could be enacted to penalise the owner of an empty property, possibly even to the extent of compulsory purchase, to prevent this happening. Stop Press!! I am now told by a neighbour of one of the properties concerned that refurbishment of a property is under way. Let us hope it succeeds.
The second decision was a planning application to add rooms to an existing building that has only quite recently changed hands. Why cannot people buy the right size of property in the first place rather than further reducing the existing stock of village housing of smaller properties? I thought the somewhat casual manner in which the Parish Council endorsed the application should have considered the effect these applications have on increasing the size of properties in the village and reducing the possibility of the relatively less wealthy becoming freeholders.
In addition to this the totally ineffective South Downs National Park planners have recently granted permission for a sizeable extension to another village property.

Downland Calendar 2019
By the time you read this the launch of the Downland Calendar will probably have taken place. Jen and Richard have put a great deal of time and effort into this and at £7 it is a steal. Do please buy one of these stunning calendars for as many friends and family as you can. Proceeds are towards the refurbishment of the village hall.

Christmas Party
Do make a big effort to come to this year’s Christmas party in the village hall, 6 till 8pm on Saturday December 8, and make it a big success. Children are welcome and we will be having mulled wine as well as the usual drinks. Entrance is free but please bring a plate of savoury nibbles.