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Bobservation No. 87: Village Times & Politicians

Collage for Bobervation 87

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.

Bobservation No. 86: Tony Brooks RIP

Image of Tony Brooks at Fulking Fair Sadly, Tony Brooks passed away on Sunday 17th October as the result of a stroke and after some 5 years of Alzheimers, the latter eighteen months of which were spent in a nursing home. He was 89.
His total involvement with Fulking was greater than any other villager in the thirty years I have been in Fulking. His advice and help was always available and his engineering background very useful.
Tony and Doris first came to Fulking in 1965 when they purchased the nursery garden at Hillbrook. Over the next 50 or so years he was involved, one way or another, with everything in the village. Having lived in a mobile home on site for 5 years he obtained planning permission to build a bungalow and proceeded to build it himself! The nursery closed in 1998.
Tony’s activities included being elected to the Parish Council and subsequently becoming Chair, and being a backbone of the village Social Committee. He was very active in the Village Hall Action Group improving and maintaining the village hall.
The author of a most comprehensive history ‘The changing Times of Fulking & Edburton 1900 to 2007’, which details the history of practically every house, the profit from which (several thousand pounds) he generously donated to the St Andrews restoration fund. Subsequently he wrote a Volume 2 covering 2007 to 2015. He also wrote a history of the Shepherd & Dog pub. Copies of these books may be available in due course for a donation to the Alzheimers Society.
While his death does not come as a shock it does bring back many memories of what, in these troubled times, seems to have been so satisfying.
The funeral will take place at the Downs Crematorium, Bear Road, Brighton on Thursday 4 November at 1pm.
Lastly, Doris we are thinking of you and send you all our love.

Bobservation No. 83: Blue Badges and Fair Timing

Blue Badge Scheme
Since the years overtook my ability to do anything useful I have found the Blue Badge Scheme so very helpful in allowing me to park a short distance from anywhere I wish to drive to (or be driven!). However these badges only last three years and renewing on the web-site is a nightmare for anyone less intelligent than Berners-Lee. This process is made incredibly simple by the marvellous staff at West Sussex County Council (01243 777653) who can renew over the telephone in certain cases.
Fulking Fair Second Attempt
The weather scuppered the intended event on 25 July and we will have another go on 8 August . A number of intended stalls have not been able to reschedule including National Trust. We still have a big RSPCA fun dog show as the centrepiece and amongst others Shepherd & Dog bar, Rushfields pies, BBQ, Hot dogs, DeLucas Ice cream (including a doggie one), Homemade cakes, Teas & Coffees, Children’s games, live music from Tenderhooks and many other interesting stalls. We still could use some willing hands if you can spare the time.

Bobservation No. 82: Wilding Dog Show

Wilding in Gardens
I have found wilding in our garden has given a remarkable increase in the range of insects, including bees, and an amazing variety of wild flowers (there are no weeds only wild flowers!). Instead of mowing all the grassed areas in straight lines we have created mown paths through the previously mown parts. The concept is not new but has been given a large boost by the success of wilding at Knepp Castle. Our vegetable plot has benefitted from allowing wild flowers to grow at the margins of vegetable beds by increasing the bee pollination rate. Obviously all this has to be kept proportionate to the space available but it is certainly worth giving it a try.

RSPCA fun dog show at Fulking Fair 2021
The centrepiece of this year’s fair will be the RSPCA fun dog show. Depending on what Covid regulations are in force it is the intention to hold the fair on Sunday 25 July from mid-day till 5pm. The Social Committee has once again proved to be a tremendous asset in preparing, manning and generally helping to make this all possible in a very difficult year, as have the hard core of village helpers. It is at times like this that I am reminded what a fantastic village we live in.

Bobservation No. 81: Fair Change

This changing world
Jenny reminded me the other day of some of the really involved people who are no longer in the village. At the risk of omitting someone, in no particular order, Nick, Kate, Jo, Jim & Carolyn, Tony & Doris, Nick & Jill, Sarah, Harry & Charmayne, Ian and Jill, Adrian, Anthony, Alison, Tim, Annette, Holly & Ollie, Brian, Barry, Dave & Emily. I apologise for omissions! The point I am making is that since they left it has been harder and harder to get enthusiastic supporters of village events. Whenever the Coronavirus is controlled, life as we knew it will never be the same again. I hope that the acceptance with which people were prepared to put up with things will have been replaced by a more questioning attitude and a demand for a fairer more egalitarian society. Assuming this leads to material change, particularly in the NHS, it can only be a good thing so far as most of the population are concerned. Indeed, I think it is for villagers to do everything that they can legally to assist in bringing about such change.

RSPCA fun dog show at Fulking Fair
Subject to regulations concerning the virus and, of course, the weather we are on track for a really good fair on Sunday 25 July from noon till 5pm in the North Town Field. There will be live music, hot food, a bar, childrens’ games, teas and cakes and some interesting stalls. RSPCA will be taking part for the first time with a fun dog show from 12.30pm. National Trust, Sussex Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust will be there. We are still very short of helpers, for all manner of jobs, so if you would like to join us and help raise some funds for Fulking village needs, please get in touch. I am seriously concerned that if we do not get more offers of help the Fair will be in jeopardy.

Bobservation No. 80: Village Hall and Fair

Fulking Fair 2021
To organise the fair means starting early in the year to contact possible stallholders and food outfits before they get booked up. I find this a very absorbing hobby and am very happy to do it. I am given to understand there may be villagers who object to the fair taking place this year due to the influx of possible carriers of the Corona virus. I must assure them, and indeed everybody, that whatever the Governmental regulations, regarding the pandemic, are they will be strictly adhered to. As ever any helping hands are always welcome. If you would like to join in please contact me by phone at 271 or email to bob.pamrowland@btinternet.com.

Village Hall
The future of the village hall, which has been the centre of Fulking social events for well over a century, is apparently back on the agenda of village life. Whilst the freehold of this interesting building seems to be in the hands of the Parochial Church Committee (PCC), it has been made available to the village by means of a leasing agreement in recent years. I do appeal to the PCC to consider the effect on Fulking if this availability were to terminate, take note of the strength of feeling in the village about the hall and be generous in whatever suggestions they may make for the future of this vital social asset.

Bobservation No.79: Churches

Downland Churches Re-allocation
Churchgoers will have noticed a reduction in the number of attendees at services. I understand that the Government, in its eternal wisdom or possibly lack of it, is proposing that a large number of rural churches are to have their use re-allocated. The detail, so far as the Downland churches are concerned, means that St John the Evangelist, Newtimber will continue as a Church of England place of worship; St Andrews, Edburton will be given over to an Islamic Mosque; Holy Trinity, Poynings will be a Masonic Temple and The Church of the Transfiguration, Pyecombe will be the new Downland humanist meeting point. Regrettably there is no known procedure to alter these re-allocations, which have been governed by the pandemic and a need to raise income for the Benefice of Chichester. It has been suggested that, within the current Covid restrictions, the intended day of re-allocation, Sunday 25 July 2021, be treated as a local day of celebration and food and entertainment be provided at a venue to be decided in Fulking. The RSPCA have offered to hold a dog show there on that date. 1.4.21

Lola
Our Lurcher bitch, Lola, passed away on 18 March and I cannot tell you what a big void this has created in our lives. She was a stray from Allsorts Dog Rescue when we were lucky enough to rehome her 11 years ago and since then had become an important member of the family. When she was younger she was a joy to watch gliding across the Downs and playing with other dogs. She was a great hunter. Recently she had aged a lot and we were not overly surprised to see her go. Only dog owners will appreciate how great the loss can be. We will be looking for a replacement for her and would appreciate anyone hearing of a bitch that needs a new home to get in touch on 271. It has been very touching how many locals have offered sympathy and help. Our thanks to all of you.

Bluebells
The really wet winter means that bluebells at Furzefield should be good this year and we would be delighted to have villagers have a wander round, from probably the last week in April. No dogs and children under strict control! Give us a ring on 271 if you are interested so we can comply with whatever Covid 19 restrictions are in place. Generally easy to see how they are coming on from Clappers Lane as you are passing.

Bobservation No:78 – Bird Watching & Zooming

Bird Watching
Fortunately, the restrictions imposed on us by Coronavirus have not interfered totally with the pleasures of bird watching. Be warned! this hobby is very addictive but probably one of the least expensive to enjoy. Whilst birding can be enjoyed just by looking out of the window, the only essential, other than waterproof clothing, is a reasonable pair of binoculars. I find a good bird identification guide is a great help, preferably pocket size. These days a great deal of information can be found on the internet and indeed, there is a good birdsong store on the village website for birds that have been seen or heard in Fulking over the last nearly thirty years. The two principal national organisations covering the hobby are RSPB and BTO. I find the latter (British Trust for Ornithology) good value and, in addition, BTO has a weekly birdwatch count reporting facility where your individual results are stored. Annual sub is £17, you get a free book and their very informative quarterly magazine; their email is gbw@bto.org. In the last 29 years at Furzefield we have seen or heard 81 different species; the prima donna was a Wryneck outside the kitchen window! During this difficult pandemic I do urge you to consider spending a little time investigating birding. You won’t regret it.

Pandemic Zooming
In company with other villagers I am involved in several Zoom meetings. Having got over my initial horror at what it entails, I can understand that while Coronavirus limitations are placed upon us, it enables virtual social gatherings to take place. However, I look forward to the day when we can have live meetings again however long that is going to take. I cannot imagine what it would be like to hold a Zoom Village Fair! Hopefully Sunday 25 July will see the real thing however limited it may be.