Author: Miles

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…

Bobservation No. 9

FULKING FAIR (Reprise)

Fulking Fair PosterThis year’s fair and dog show takes place in Downside Meadow on Sunday 26th July from 12noon until 5pm.

Many villagers have already offered their services and the Social Committee, having recently set aside £3,500 for repairs to the village hall roof, continue to give a considerable amount of time and thought to maintaining and indeed improving the high standard set in previous years.

As winners of The Argos’ ‘Best Community event of 2014’  this is no easy task. How you can help, if you are not already doing so, is as follows:

  1. Respond to the repeated requests for Tombola prizes, no matter how inexpensive, by contacting Louise on 773 jay&louise@gmail.com or Bob on 271 bob.pamrowland@btinternet.com. We are desperate for these.
  2. Make sure you and your family and friends come on 26th July.
  3. Offer to relieve one of the villagers who is already involved with the fair when you come on the day. It can be a hot and tiring day without a break.
  4. If you are still around at the close, please help with the tidying up.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!