Miles – Page 8 – Fulking.net

Bobservation No. 72: Fame & COVID

International Fame at Last!
I really never know whether any villager reads my monthly ramblings but it was a tremendous joy to be told by Becky Loveless that her colleague Hannah Clancy of Buffalo, NY, USA was a fan and indeed actually reads Bobservation each month. I have taken it upon myself to award the first International Honorary Fulking Villager to her. She was delighted to receive the honour and intends visiting Fulking when the Coronavirus eventually abates. It would be very interesting to know if any other supporters exist. Please let me know if you do. Subject to the most onerous investigations you may even qualify for a similar award!

Covid-19
This virus has pretty well put a stop to most social activities in the village. Observing distancing recommendations the ‘Whats app’ Quotation Friends and Community Skill Swap seem to have been successful. Some of us have got together 2 metres apart for a glass or two of wine simplified by the lack of rain and heatwave. In addition to these, yoga has continued in the North Town Field or via ‘Zoom’. At present the possibility of holding a Christmas party looks remote. I have my fingers crossed for next year’s fair on Sunday 25 July. I notice the annual Henfield Fair is taking place but I cannot imagine how social distancing and wearing masks will be applied, as it happened the weather was terrible for the whole three days of the event! General opinion seems to be that another surge will happen in the autumn if not before and so I do implore all villagers not to let standards drop. Facemasks and social distancing do make a difference to the safety of our community.

Fulking Village Archives
The village archives have just received a programme of the Edburton and Fulking Garden Fete held on Wednesday June 26 1946. Lee Holden discovered it amongst some family papers, the connection being his grandmother who arranged ‘mimes and music’ by the Henfield players. The archives are currently in the care of Terry and Linda Harris who kindly look after them and are quite happy to make them available to villagers.

Bobservation No. 71: Summer At Furzefield

The months of June and July have brought a quite exceptional display of growth in our garden at Furzefield.

We have, over the years, planted with bees and butterflies in mind and so far this summer we have recorded butterflies as follows: Brimstone, Comma, Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Large White, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Orange Tip, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Ringlet, Small Copper, Small Heath, Small Skipper, Small Tort, Small White, Speckled wood, Silver washed Fritillary, and Wall Brown.

As for birds we average about 29 species each week and I expect many of you will have joined us in getting exciting views of the Red Kite which is fast becoming a regular.

We have found that our insect visitors have greatly increased as a result of letting lawn grow longer to encourage clover etc. It has been a great summer in the ‘veg patch’ but it was quite an effort to keep watering adequately. The downside is a very annoying Roe Deer that keeps eating our rose buds!

Bobservation No. 67: Conservation & Covid-19

Conservation Area Conclusion Decision
Recent meetings by the inhabitants of the Downland parishes have reached a decision that, in order to protect the integrity of the Downland area, the Mayfield planning proposal should be moved from just north of Henfield to a situation to the north of Fulking bordered by Clappers Lane in the East, Holmbush Lane in the North, Small Dole in the West and the Edburton Road in the South . Surprisingly, this proposal engendered no objections whatsoever. It is anticipated the work will commence as soon as the Coronavirus runs its course. 1/4/20

Coronavirus Sundries
Great effort by the village led by the Parish Council to help any villagers who may be in need of supplies, prescriptions etc. As a vulnerable oldy my most grateful thanks to them.

Fulking Fair on hold for the minute. I must admit that at this point in time cancellation looks likely. If so it will be announced. Postponement is difficult but not impossible and could tie in with a celebration when (if?) we return to normal.

Bluebells will be good this year and at worst worth a look over the gate. If you phone 271 maybe we can organise individual walks around but this must be strictly accordance to the Government’s rules. Whatever, we will be restricted to a wave as a greeting!

Truffles Delivery Service Starts

Truffles have converted their lunch trucks and are starting a mobile shop service tomorrow, 31st March. They will be at Poynings sports field at 9am. The service is open to all but aimed to assist the vulnerable. More details on their FaceBook page here.

Bobservation No. 66: Warming to the Clerk in the End…

Parish Clerk
I have known several Parish Clerks in the time I have been in Fulking and they have varied in efficiency and goodwill considerably, in particular one I can think of was diabolical!. However I think it is generally agreed that the present Clerk, Trevor Parsons, has outshone all his predecessors . A parish council relies very heavily on the professionalism of its clerk and over the last twenty or so years the demands on the clerk have steadily increased; in particular with knowledge of the law as it needs to be enacted. I hope you will all join me in saying thanks to Trevor for the service he provides.

Global warming
The next meeting of the Resolutions group is at 7pm on Sunday March 8^th in the village hall and I do encourage you to come and join us. Ably lead by Samantha we are in the throes of putting together Climate Change and ecological ideas for implementation in the villages of Fulking, Poynings and Newtimber.

Funereal matters
If you wish to save your next of kin a bob or two it is quite simple to donate your body to the London Anatomy Office (LAO) (0207 848 8042). Subject to certain circumstances the body will be donated to and used by the medical services involved (probably in Sussex) for research or teaching. This will obviate the need for a funeral which, these days, is quite expensive. The LAO are most helpful on the phone and will help you through the necessary forms. Just in case you are worried about missing the wake when I eventually go; well behaved villagers will be invited to a party instead (Any takers for Call my bluff?). Incidentally the oldest donated body yet was a gent of 107!