Author: Miles

Bobservation No: 76 January 2021

New Year
I sincerely hope that 2021 proves to be a better year for all of you. Being in a village like Fulking, it is hard to imagine just how difficult 2020 has been for many millions of the other people living in our country. Unlike the leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, who objects to UNECSO funding our poor, I feel ashamed that, due to impoverishment, mothers cannot feed their children, our streets are the home to Brits who, possibly through no fault of their own, have become destitute and the future for many children remains very, very bleak due to lack of opportunity. I am sure that if a villager is in genuine dire need, some way to help would be available. However, this in no way relieves the national problem which, due to cutbacks, coronavirus and, dare I say it, Brexit will surely get worse.

Tony Brooks
Trevor Brooks, Tony’s son, tells me that his father’s Alzheimer’s has continued to worsen and at the beginning of the year he had to be transferred to the St Clare’s Care Home in Ditchling.  I understand he is happy there and has been nicknamed ‘King Tony’ by the staff. Many villagers who remember Tony for his helpfulness and total involvement in Fulking, will wish him a comfortable and stress-free life at St Clare’s. Doris is keeping well in Hassocks.

Coronavirus
Regrettably Fulking has not been left out of the grip of Covid19. I am told that a couple of elderly villagers have been tested positive and, of course, there may be more. I am sure you will all join me in wishing everyone who is tested positive a safe outcome. Please take every precaution to avoid the spread of this quite horrible virus. Hopefully, the arrival of vaccination should begin to offer some form of protection in 2021.

Bobservation Christmas Quiz
Having had results from 10 contestants and after an exciting finale I have great pleasure in announcing the 3 joint winners of the Bobservation Christmas Quiz 2020 as Kevin Thorns & his family, Chris & Julia Snell and Jen Green & Chris Gildersleeve with all 55 answers considered to be correct. I do hope it relieved the lockdown over the Christmas period a little.

Bobservation No. 75: Questions, Light and Future

Christmas Quiz
All things being equal you should have received a hard copy with Pigeon Post of the Bobservation Christmas Quiz. It is intended for all the family to get involved and some questions, quite a few actually, are much easier than others. Just as a suggestion let the youngest in the house have first go at solving the puzzles. Once you have solved as many as your ‘bubble’ can, email me the number you have solved by 30 December at the address shown on the quiz. No need to send the answers, unless you are the winner, in which case, I will require you to send them to me. This to avoid mistakes! You may enjoy solving the quiz better WITHOUT any help from Wikipedia etc.

Coronavirus
There seems to be a light, however small, at the end of the Coronavirus tunnel. It would be nice to think that together with Trump, Cummings, and Sutcliffe (the Yorkshire ripper, not Herbert!) all of these frightful things will join the virus in being gone. Hopefully, the vaccines will turn out to be successful. It is at times like this that we all need to offer support to each other, particularly those villagers who will be on their own over Christmas. So far as I am aware village neighbours have been pretty good at looking after each other, which is no more than one would expect in Fulking. After what has been a difficult year for most of us, one way or another, I take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Happy Christmas and a considerably better New Year in 2021. Hope we can have a village fair on Sunday 25 July!

Looking Ahead
Both the Corona virus and Brexit give us all a chance to change the way we live in the future.
Perhaps we could consider:

  1. Changing our electoral system from ‘first past the post’ to some form of proportional representation.
  2. Showing a great deal more respect and empathy towards immigrants who risk their lives to reach UK.
  3. Funding our respected NHS properly.
  4. Improving the benefits system so that mothers do not need food banks to feed their children.
  5. Enabling every child in our country to have an education as good as the private schools.
  6. Reorganise the Houses of Parliament to save the enormous cost of repair.
  7. Build a modern Parliamentary building in a more central location in the middle of England.
  8. Abolish the House of Lords and have a democratically elected Upper House.

Well, there are a few to go with. What can you add?

Ordinary Parish Meeting – 8th October, 2020

Planning MeetingYou are cordially invited to an online Ordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council, on Thursday 8th October 2020 at 7.30pm, the meeting will consider the items set out below.

Trevor Parsons – Parish Clerk
parishclerk@fulking.net, 07767 422733

The public may film/record the meetings of Fulking Parish Council. By attending a meeting of the Council, they give their consent to being filmed/recorded by other members of the public, if such activity is taking place.

AGENDA

Public Participation: 15 minutes are set aside at the beginning of the meeting for the public to ask questions or make comments on items on the Agenda. Comments on items not appearing on the agenda can be made at the chairman’s discretion.

20/068/OM – Apologies

20/069/OM – Declaration of Members’ Interests

20/070/OM – Approve the Minutes of Previous Meetings

20/071/OM – Planning Applications Update

20/072/OM – Reports from District and County Councillors 

20/073/OM – Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions: 

  • Operation Watershed
  • Yellow Lines
  • Fulking to Henfield Bridlepath
  • Village Gates
  • Village Signs
  • Community Asset Register of Village Hall.

20/074/OM – Playground Maintenance

20/075/OM – Village Hall Lease Update

20/076/OM – Welcome Pack for New Villagers

20/077/OM – Reports from Outside Bodies

  • WSALC Review

20/078/OM – Information Items  To receive information and items for the agenda at future meetings.

  • Environmental Report

20/079/OM – Correspondence

20/080/OM – Financial Matters

 

Date of the next Ordinary Meeting: Thursday 7th January 2021.

Bobservation No. 73: Disputes & Vulnerability

Sumo wrestlers over map of Fulking
Disputes
Disputes in a village are generally caused by boundaries, hedges, trees, or noise. At the time they happen they may seem of life changing importance to both parties but in the event, will seem of little importance to the rest of the world. Quite often the dispute would never have occurred if the instigator had approached the other party in a civil manner before any action had been taken. Kind-hearted souls are advised to steer well clear of mediation unless they are qualified mediators for fear of getting drawn into a situation they cannot improve. In most cases one of the parties in the dispute will be in the right and the other in the wrong.  I have found that the outcome will generally leave a very unpleasant atmosphere between the persons involved unless a great deal of common sense is displayed.  Regrettably, this seems to be unusual.

Vulnerability
It occurs to me that at a time when our lives are threatened by Climate Change and Coronavirus that each has a different significance to the young and the old. So far as Climate Change is concerned it will have little impact on someone of my age but enormous impact on a teenager. On the other hand, Coronavirus would probably be fatal if I were to catch it but possibly just inconvenience for the teenager. All pretty obvious, I suppose, but it does seem to point the way to greater cooperation in doing everything we can to defeat Global Extinction and the effects of the virus. Interesting that Brexit will alter the lives of both young and old equally.

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. 70: Fair Lament

Lament for Fulking Fair

On Sunday 26 July we were due to have the annual Fulking Fair in the North Town Field and along the Street but Coronavirus has caused the Social Committee to cancel the event.
Regrettably, any current relief from the Governmental ‘lock-down’ instructions will make no difference to this decision due to sensible distancing being impossible to maintain at a fair and dog show. Believe me I am absolutely gutted at this happening because of the great pleasure I get from being involved in the organisation of the fair and the interaction with everyone else involved.
However, let us look forward to Sunday 25 July 2021 when we can hold the Fair and dog show again and hopefully the Coronavirus will no longer dominate our lives. In the meantime, please keep yourselves safe.

Bobservation No.69: Medics & Covid Co-operation

Two houses on The Street

Two houses on The Street that once incorporated doctor’s surgeries

Fulking and Medics
You may not realise it but Fulking is blessed with a quite disproportionate number of medical and medical related villagers. Consultant, Surgeon, GP, Administrator, Nurse, Midwife, Paramedic, Orthodontist, Dentist, Care home worker are all here in active or retired format.  Indeed some of the retired medics have offered their services to the NHS during the present crisis. I think this a good opportunity to thank them all for entering such a caring profession. We might also thank all those who serve us in so many other ways and at the same time put their lives at risk every day.
Covid19
The restrictions placed upon us by this Coronavirus have brought villagers together more than anything I can remember. In addition it has opened up a spirit of cooperation between the Downland villages that has been most impressive. The time available caused by the ‘lock down’ has generated a new cooperative enthusiasm for gardening and the Community skill swap whatsapp site. This has brought many of us closer together through plant and seed swapping, helpful advice and a general feeling of communal togetherness that has been lacking in the relatively recent past. Let us make it a permanent feature of life in our village.

Bobservation No.68: Coronavirus

How the Community Skill Swap WhatsApp, which originated from climate change, has now turned into a very effective program combining both Fulking and (mostly!) Poynings.
Many gardening swaps of plants and seeds have been achieved and it will be very interesting to see how many new vegetable growers appear and how successful they are. If there is any demand it would be good to investigate the possibility of allotments in Fulking. They used to be on the south side of the Poynings road  exiting Fulking.
When, eventually, this virus is controlled if not conquered we will find ourselves in a very different world to the one we left behind. Economically, socially and politically our lives will have changed and it will be up to to us to make sure that these changes are for the benefit of the many and not just the few.
Locked down as we are for the immediate future and possibly for a much longer period, I find it interesting to note the effect it has had on our village society. There has been a wonderful helpfulness generated by enthusiastic local leaders.
This is much appreciated by the more vulnerable villagers.
Keep safe all of you.

Bobservation No. 67: Conservation & Covid-19

Image of virus over Fulking EscarpmentConservation 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!