Author: Miles

Bobservation No. 13

Image of Village - sliced upHomes & The Homeless

With the coming of November, we are getting well into winter and could possibly spare a thought for those less fortunate than ourselves who are without a roof over their heads.

Many properties in Britain remain unoccupied for various reasons; perhaps the owner lives elsewhere abroad for all or most of the year, or possibly it suits them to retain a property empty for investment purposes.

Whatever the reason, and I believe there may be such properties in this village, it would be nice if they could spare a thought for the disadvantaged and offer the accommodation to homeless citizens or, dare I suggest it, refugees.

While on the subject, it is a thought that a mandatory charge of double or triple Council Tax could be rendered on vacant properties as an incentive to the owners to put them to use. Perhaps the foreign investment in property, mostly in London, would be less attractive and it might solve some of the housing problems in the capital.

Christmas Shoebox Appeal

Ukrainian with food parcel black and white‘Link For Hope’ deliver Christmas boxes to elderly people left alone and the destitute in Eastern Europe, including Syrian and Eastern Ukrainian refugees.

The fact that someone has thought of them, together with the useful items inside can bring considerable joy to those who have lost everything.

You can make up a shoebox for a family or for an elderly person – details on www.linktohope.co.uk or leaflets from Sarah Rushton at Pyecombe Manor.  Call: 855 or email: sprushton24@gmail.com.

Please deliver your shoebox to Sarah (or phone her for collection) before 4th November to be in time for shipment.
Link for Hope also collects leftover foreign coins – so don’t forget those coins lurking in the drawer.

Bobservation No. 12

The Dyke from Newtimber Hill

Newtimber Hill

Owned by the National Trust, Newtimber Hill is a delight for walkers at all times of the year. Access is from a number of points, the best known, and most accessible, is from the farm at Saddlescombe.

Over the year it is possible to see many varieties of wild flowers including bluebell, pyramid spotted and bee orchid, campion, hare bell, thyme and cowslip. The fauna includes roe deer, badger, fox, rabbit, weasel and stoat. Birdlife is abundant, the more interesting include buzzard, red kite, kestrel, swallow, house martin, yellowhammer, wryneck, spotted flycatcher, linnet, skylark, meadow pipit and redstart. Butterflies, including several different blues are often present.

Cattle graze here at certain times of year and walking a dog requires strict observance of the regulations, however, when there are no cattle it is a great joy to see a dog running free across the Downland. The views across the South Downs looking west towards Chanctonbury are some of the finest in Sussex. At times, cloud will envelope the top of the Downs giving a ‘tablecloth’ effect and if you are lucky enough to be walking above the cloud, it is a memorable sight.

How fortunate we residents of Fulking parish are to have such a treasure so near our village. At the end of your walk the ‘Hikers Rest’ offers very acceptable food, drinks and ice cream.

The National Trust do a splendid job maintaining this gem and it is up to us to respect and cherish it. One piece of advice, if your dog poops on the hill, either put  it in a polybag or leave it to be disbursed by the rain, never leave the polybag on the hill, take it home with you.

Bobservation No. 11

False colour wine glassesCall My Bluff Wine Quiz

Call my Bluff started in Fulking when the Henfield branch of the wine merchant, Wine Rack, agreed to put on a Call my Bluff wine quiz in the Village Hall in 1999. Since then I have presided over many evenings of the same format.
By my reckoning, together with straight wine quizzes, we have raised £5,609 over the years for village funds. The evening has been very ably supported by Toby Peirce of Quaff Ltd who has supplied most of the wines and, in more recent times, by Louise and Jay who have handled the food and raffle so well.
Sadly, old age is catching up with me and I am losing my mind, hearing, mobility and patience (grumpy old man!), which means that the exuberant enjoyment of revellers at the wine quizzes has become problematic.
It would be good to hear from a villager willing to take on the responsibility of continuing to organize this valuable fund raiser. Needless to say it will be a pleasure to pass on any information or assistance that I can.

Cattle on The Downs

Cow plus NT signRecently, villagers have become concerned about a number of incidents between residents and the cattle grazing on Fulking escarpment.  In July 2015 the Parish Council invited the National Trust to a meeting to discuss the situation. One of the suggestions was to use the website to exchange information on the cattle.

A new page has been set up to do just that.

If you have any comments or observations to add to the page, please email webmaster@fulking.org (headed “Cattle on the Downs”). The National Trust will also be adding their comments and responses. Read more…