Author: Miles

Bobservation No. 18

Mini_trafficTraffic Problems…

I understand that there have been recent occurrences of minor gridlock in the Street and that the parking problem has become of more and more concern to villagers. So the Parish Council, after discussions with Highways at West Sussex County Council, has agreed that the ’backway’ will be refurbished, asphalted and form the east to west section of a one-way system in Fulking.

The Street will form the west to east section. This will necessitate the compulsory purchase of land at the southern end of properties that abut the ‘backway’.

To obviate the need to negotiate the value of such land it has been mutually agreed that a standard sum in compensation of £50 be paid to the freeholder of each of the properties involved. It is expected that work will commence at the beginning of August and completion is anticipated by January 2017. Due to the Government Austerity Programme, the cost of the work involved will be shouldered by Council Tax bands D to F over a five-year period.

Bobservation No. 17

Bobservation_17

Village Organisations

Why do we have several different organisations in Fulking? Wouldn’t it be better to have just one?  The answer is that historically, residents prefer to volunteer for one or two causes and not the totality. So, here’s a guide to them:

The Parish Council consists of five councillors, elected for four years and who are in charge of the statutory and financial requirements of Fulking. There’s also a paid Parish Clerk. Funding is from the precept which is included in the Council Tax.

The North Town Field Trust exists to own and protect the North Town Field. Trustees are elected at a Parish Council meeting. The 4 or 5 trustees are appointed for life (or until they resign). They’re governed by the Trust Deed. In principle it has no income.

The Social Committee runs social events such as the Fulking Fair and the Christmas Party with a view to creating a happy and inclusive village atmosphere and raising money for village needs; perhaps tree work in the North Town Field or repairs to the village hall. Constitution on fulking.net.

The Village Hall Action Group was formed by concerned villagers to protect and maintain the Village Hall. Any villager can join. The principal source of income is donations from supporters.

The Book Nook raises funds for St Andrew’s church in Edburton and is held in the chapel attached to the village hall. It is run by church members and villagers.

There are of course various other happenings, run privately. These include Preston Nomads Cricket Club, foot beagles, games evenings, toddlers /coffee morning, craft and chat, mums’ night-out, book club, yoga classes etc. Most of the support for these is voluntary and unpaid.

Bobservation No. 16

Montage Fair, Quiz, PartySocial Matters

There was a response from four of you about what we can do to improve the attendance at the annual village Christmas party. The consensus, with which I agree, was to hold it a week earlier, which would be Friday 9th December. A suggestion was made to have music, but I am of the opinion that the hall is too small to accommodate talking, drinking and music at the same time.

Does anyone have any further thoughts on this?

The Annual General Meeting of the Social Committee will be in the hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 4 February. We will be discussing, inter alia, the ongoing talks with the Shepherd & Dog to hold a Call my Bluff in a marquee at the pub on the evening of Friday 29 July and a smaller fair at the pub and the North Town Field on Saturday 30th July.

If you would like to be involved in this and willing to help, then please come along to the AGM.

Bobservation No. 15

Montage of Christmas Party Banners

Party Epilogue

We had a successful village Christmas party on Friday 18th December principally due to Nick’s great mulled wine (ably assisted by Mr Lidl), Lee’s decorations and Louise, Jay and George’s efforts on the Tombola together with the helpers who passed food and drink around and cleared up afterwards. The generous number of donated prizes made for an excellent Tombola.

But… why such a low turnout? The attendance at the village Christmas party seems to have shrunk over the last few years. Please give me some feedback to bob.pamrowland@btinternet.com. Is the Friday before Christmas conflicting with other festive events? Is it the wrong location? Is it the wrong time of day? Should we have better facilities for children? Should we give it up altogether? Do you dislike the idea of mixing with other villagers? Have you any other suggestions?

I believe it is such a good way of introducing newcomers to the rest of the village and other people connected with the village that it would be pity to have it disappear. Please respond and I promise we will do everything we can to get the event back on track.

Fulking Social Committee Annual General Meeting is at 7:30pm on Thursday 4th February in the village hall. If you feel like getting involved come along.

Christmas Party

Xmas PartyMake a note for your diaries…

The Fulking Village Christmas Party will be held at the Village Hall on Friday 18th December from 6.30pm.

Entrance is free but please bring a dish of savoury eats. Mulled wine, plus red and white wine available as well as soft drinks

There will be a Tombola and we need adult and childrens’ prizes for this, please. Drop off at either Louise at 13 Clappers Lane (773) or Bob at Furzefield, Clappers Lane (271)

Please make a big effort to come, this is great fun and a good opportunity to meet up with other villagers