fulking.net - This is the community website for the people of Fulking, West Sussex

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. 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.