Fulking Affinity
It is nearly 7 weeks since old age caused us to leave our beloved Fulking and move to Henfield. The move was a sensible one dictated by the passing years and whilst we are now small wheels in what seems like a big cog, we were quite unable to cope with being custodians of the unique 3 acres that constitute Furzefield.
Fortunately we have passed the baton on to worthy successors. It is quite surprising to find that where we nowlive it is as quiet or possibly even quieter than Clappers Lane but the same camaraderie does not appear to exist amongst neighbours, age probably being a major factor.
I am still in regular contact with Samantha and the Monday group and get village news from some of the many friends we made while we were in Fulking. The Social Committee is now being led enthusiastically by Sally who tells me that plans for a Christmas party are under way and, if we are invited, I look forward to joining with you in this village annual event. I know just how hard it is to get these occasions off the ground, so please do offer to join in and help as much as you can.
Just can’t stop nagging you!!
Author: Miles
Bobservation No. 96: Continuation
Farewell to Fulking
As I write this I feel as though I am in another world! After thirty years of quite demanding work being custodians at Furzefield of a unique three acres of oak and hazel woodland and a glorious spread of bluebells in spring, we have moved to a delightful bungalow in Henfield. Moving was not the big wrench we expected, just very hard work. Rich, Sarah and Archie will be our very dedicated successors.
A tremendous and very moving farewell was our great good fortune; held in the village hall attended by so many village friends who I dare not name for fear of leaving someone out! Sufficient to say, I was never able to encourage a Social Committee meeting of that size! The leaving gift was quite amazingly generous and we were both very humbled by it. Many, many thanks to all of you. I fear my few words of thanks at the time turned into something of a hopeless drivel rather like recent question times in the House of Commons.
If only to achieve my century it has been suggested that I might continue with Bobservation a little while longer, which pleasure I hope you will grant me.
Fulking Fair 2022
Perhaps not quite as exciting as it can be because of the extreme heat and the need for new input. The future will be very well driven by Sally and her team with lots of new ideas. Please give her all the support she will need. Fulking Fair deserves to be protected, it has become a great local event.
Bobservation No. 95: BobsOvation
Farewell
Well finally you are going to get rid of me! Except I would love to score a century of Bobservations and perhaps we can find a way so I can do that. Pam & I will be moving house to Henfield on 12 August. Fulking has been the centre of our world for 30 years now. Furzefield has given us many happy hours, gardening , conservation and entertaining and our successors Rich, Sarah, Archie and Barnsley will be ideal custodians of the bluebells, badgers and everything else, and I know very good additions to the Fulking social scene. It is this scene that I am going to miss a lot. Over the years Fulking has provided a social life and hobby that it would have been very hard to find anywhere else in the world. I have so many happy memories of wonderful people and great times particularly, I suppose, the Call my Bluff quizzes and of course the annual Fulking Fair (see below!).
Fulking Fair
Well! we had the 2022 Fulking Fair and got perfect summer weather and the RSPCA fun dog show found some shade under the trees. Due to exceptional teamwork we managed to have a truly wonderful afternoon. I think we all learnt a little about each other and I am sure next year we can make some improvements but that happens every time! I just hope you will let me be involved in some way even though I will no longer be a resident of this wonderful (secular!) parish.
Bobservation No. 94: Mick Gaule RIP
What a very touching send off for Mick when we toasted his last journey from the balcony of the Shepherd & Dog. He was one of the very last oldies who had lived in Fulking most or all of their lives. Such a lovely gentleman and I think would like to be remembered as a great ferreter!.
Fulking Fair
With only three weeks to go until Fulking Fair 2022 I thought it might be of interest if I gave you an idea of how many villagers are involved in specific contributions of their time. I set out below in no particular order, those who are helping, with apologies to anyone who I have left out: Geoff & Jenny Shepherd & Dog bar, Tina music, Clive BBQ, Rosemary & Mick Tombola, Linda Terry Danny & Adrian parking, Sally First aid BBQ Art Advertising Flyer Samantha Pitch set-up and allocation, Tricia Teas & Cakes and First aid, Carol Treasurer, Myriam & Bea Henna Tattoo painting, Angela Children’s games, Stuart & Nick Traffic Control, Jen Donation Box, Chris Art, Karen Social Media advertising, Laurence Simon & family Traffic and Fair advertising signs, Jenny & Julian Electricity, George & Sarah Use of field, AND in addition to our homegrown BBQ and entertainment we will have the RSPCA fun dog show and food from Rushfields’ Pies, Safari Pizzas, Indulgent Ice Cream, Rob Padley’s Coffee & On the Hoof Moroccan Kebabs. Stalls will be displays by the National Trust, the Woodland Trust, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Central Sussex Beekeepers, Sustainable Henfield 2030. There will be many stalls along the Street and in the North Town Field with games and products for sale but please remember TEAS & CAKES in the village hall, The best ever BOTTLE TOMBOLA in the field, Shepherd & Dog bar and Clive Miller’s BBQ. All donations and any surplus from the Fair are in aid of the Village Hall.
Bobservation No. 93: Sheena Trist RIP
Sheena Trist is no longer with us. What an inadequate comment for a very good friend who had the distinction of having been a Parish Councillor, Chair of the Parish Council and Parish Clerk at various times. Villagers of her ilk seem to be fewer and fewer these days. Our thoughts go out to Michael and Hollie. We will miss her.
The funeral arrangements for Sheena are: 2 pm on Friday 10th June at St Andrew’s, Edburton, and afterwards at Tottington Manor. All would be most welcome.
Parish Events
I understand that only one member of the public attended the Annual Parish Meeting and can only hope that this might be due to Covid hangover. If it was just apathy I beg you all to get involved in this wonderful village. I have a gut feeling that some villagers have no intention of getting involved in any activities. So be it. The reasons really are not important, but it would be good if the Social Committee gets more active input from Parish Councillors and that villagers make a greater effort to attend and indeed support the Parish Council. It used to be so much better and can be again with a positive approach on both sides.
Fulking Fair
This is going to be a REALLY successful year for Fulking Fair in the North Town Field on Sunday 24 July from 12 until 5pm incorporating the RSPCA fun dog show, live music, Shepherd & Dog bar, Clive Miller’s BBQ, Rushfield’s Pies, Safari pizzas, Indulgent Ice Cream, Teas &Cakes in the Village Hall, Children’s games, Tombola and all manner of stalls. Do please put this in your diary it will be THE village event of 2022.
Bobservation No. 92: Migrants and Volunteering
Migrants
It seems to me to be quite ridiculous to make ‘illegal’ entry to the United Kingdom penalised without first attempting to find out what skills the migrant might have. Our nation is plagued by shortages of labour in many fields and workers with skills in the building trade, hospitality sector and agriculture for example could well be found within the ranks of such migrants. They may need training to enable them to fit in with our ways of working and talking but I would think human beings who put themselves to such risks as crossing the Channel in a rubber dinghy show a great sense of determination and courage. Eventually they could become useful tax paying citizens.
Fulking Fair
We seem to be getting along very well with the organisation of the fair on Sunday 24 July but still need helpers. Please give me a shout on 271 or bob.pamrowland@btinternet.com if you have perhaps half a day to give. You will be playing a big part in making the fair possible.
Bobservation No. 91: Housing
Rural Housing Support Grants
I understand that the Government is proposing an annual grant of 20% of the rateable value of rural housing for properties with 4 or more bedrooms. This will be the cornerstone of ‘Levelling up’ to ensure that the responsibility of maintaining a large rural property is rewarded. It is not quite clear, as yet, how this will be implemented for billionaires but some sort of compensation for their contribution to society will have to be found to allay public sentiment. Of course, if this comes to fruition it will form a major part of the Conservative manifesto at the next general election. In the event that this will cause a surge in the demand for larger properties, a ‘help to buy’ scheme will be instigated but only for taxpayers in the 40% bracket of Income Tax. (1.4.22)
Bluebells
By the middle/end of April we should have a really good display of bluebells at Furzefield. As it has been in the past 30 years villagers, their families and friends are most welcome to have a walk around. Please take every care to stay on paths and keep children under strict control. Regrettably no dogs. Best if you give us a shout before you come (tel: 271).
Bobservation No. 90: Social Comment
Fulking Social Committee
It is possible that there are villagers who are either unaware of the Social Committee or of its purpose. It was formed in the late 1990s by Nick & Jill Bremer and since then has raised in excess of £20,000 by fund raising events such as the annual Fulking Fair. This has been mainly expended on support for work in the North Town Field, childrens’ play area and the village hall upkeep. Because these amenities are not owned by the District Council we have to finance their maintenance. The Committee is an independent organisation with a constitution and all decisions are made through the Chair, currently Sally Brownie. Any decisions, financial or otherwise, made are subject to a democratic vote of the members. Whilst suggestions are always appreciated no other body has any control whatsoever over the Committee. All villagers are welcome to join subject to the approval of the existing members.
Auction of Promises
In support of fund raising the Social Committee will be holding an Auction of Promises in the village hall on Saturday 25 June. Final details are still in the hands of a select team of entrepreneurial experts . It would be great if anyone could offer a suitable Promise prize by getting in touch with Sally, Rosemary, Karen or me. The more exciting the better! One thing I can tell you; theatrical celebrity Richard Linford has very kindly agreed to be the auctioneer.
Ukraine
I am sure I am not alone in expressing my horror at the appalling and very unnecessary invasion of Ukraine. It is at times like this that we should all reflect on how fortunate we are to live in such a wonderful village.
Bobservation No. 88: Handing on the Social Baton
A Happy and healthy New Year to all of you
At last old age has caught up with me and I am handing over the Chair of the Social Committee to Sally Brownie who will be terrific in the job. In nearly 28 years of involvement many memories come to mind: at the fair, the beagle cocking his leg on the lady drummer, the marquee blown down by the wind, the bar and band in another marquee while the rain poured down, Toon Ghose flying over as a salute, wellie throwing, the bubbles, the Argus award, Nigel jamming it with Aiden’s band, pony rides, gladiators, the owls, the bats, wonderful stallholders, alpacas on show, mud and rain, hot summer days, model steam engine, tasty food, Punch & Judy and puppets, tug of war, dog shows, dancers in the street,’ Sold as Seen’ and all the other musicians, £1000+ take on the gate in 2014. And other events such as ‘Fulking’s got talent’, Graham’s Carol Services at St Andrews, Call my Bluff and wine quizzes, the Caribbean evening, Barn Dancing, the Morrismen, historical lectures, Easter egg hunting, rounders, plays in the village hall and North Town Field, carol singing, Tricia’s yoga, the lady covered in chocolate at the Bremers, Dave & Em at the S&D and even more. All of this adds up to the marvellous time I have had living in Fulking. Do help Sally look after the amazing thing that has been created by such a small village.
Christmas party in the North Town Field
Thanks to Sally and Samantha for organising the very successful mulled wine and edibles in the North Town Field on the early evening of 11 December. An anonymous villager who had a direct contact with Father Christmas managed to get that very busy gentleman to attend to the amazement of some of the children and possibly adults as well!
Bobservation No. 87: Village Times & Politicians
The Changing Times of Fulking & Edburton Vol 2 2007-2015 by Tony Brooks
Tony’s son Trevor has uncovered some 25 copies of this remarkable history that Tony created. He has requested that these be sold for a donation to be given to the Alzheimers Society. I do highly recommend this to villagers for a donation of £5 cash. Please give me a shout on 271 or email me if you would like a copy. If you know someone who has Vol 1 this would make a very nice stocking filler!
National Governance
Believe me this is an apolitical opinion. Over the course of my long life I have at various times supported and voted Conservative, Green, Labour, Liberal and Social Democrat. I just feel so aggrieved at the attitude and performance of the current Government that I had to express my thoughts. I have seen countries governed by political clowns such as Mussolini, Berlasconi, Trump and Bolsonaro and it saddens me to see my own country falling into the same political cesspit. The awarding of peerages for personal favours and to chums has reached a ludicrous level and greatly diminished the standing of the House of Lords, not that it was ever particularly very high! I do hope that the electorate will take on board the criticisms by John Major about the appalling Owen Paterson scandal. As villagers we take part in the first rung of the ladder of democracy in appointing Parish Councillors and subsequently District and County Councillors and lastly Members of Parliament to represent us at the highest level. I do beg you, when the appropriate time comes, to cast your vote thoughtfully and with consideration for the immediate past. It is correct that Governments and Councils should be held to account for their performance while in office.
Christmas Party
It had been intended to have the usual village Christmas party in the village hall on Saturday 11th December. The Fulking Social Committee decided not to go ahead with the event due to the difficulty of complying with basic Covid precautions. An outdoor event will be held in the North Town Field taking its place. Please do not relax your caution in fighting this pandemic.