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

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.

Bobservation No. 77: Council-ling and Attitudes

Miles Firth
Having experienced the demands of being Chair of the Parish Council I can appreciate why Miles has decided to resign. In my opinion he has been the best and most industrious Chair in all the time I have been in Fulking. He will be hard to replace. Please join me in thanking him for the wise and dedicated way in which he has served us.
It is worth considering how the incredible and shocking display of mob force in the Capital building in Washington, inspired by the outgoing president, gives us reason to value and protect our democratic way of life in Britain. Democracy is always under pressure from both extremes right and left. It is up to the ordinary citizen to be aware of what is happening and take legally acceptable steps to guard against these self-interested factions.
At the very start of the democratic process the four-yearly process of Parish elections will enable us to vote in a new Parish Council in May (unless Covid delays it). This will require volunteers coming forward to fill the places vacated by the present council and if there are more than 5 candidates then voting will take place. I urge you to seriously consider how you might consider it to be your duty to stand for election.

Changing Attitudes
I was reflecting on how much attitudes have changed since I was a teenager, !!years ago. We had been brought up to be intolerant of anyone who was not a white, British, Anglo-Saxon, heterosexual protestant. Women were acceptable so long as they knew their place! Indeed, life at school could be very uncomfortable for anyone ‘who was not one of us’. Bullying not unusual and as far as I remember ignored by teachers, probably to ‘toughen’ us up. I suppose this all stemmed from the imperial attitudes of the time when we were expected to go abroad to quell the ‘natives’ and administer the diminishing empire. Fortunately, so far as I am aware, we live in a greatly more accepting world. Changes in the law have been widespread to create a greater understanding of colour, sexuality and infirmity. I believe I have been lucky to have lived in these changing times and seen what great strides have and are being made. It is up to us to ensure it continues. However, would it not be marvellous if the increasing gulf between rich and poor in Britain was limited by some form of wealth taxation on personal assets of the seriously rich. Food for thought! Oxfam has just reported that the 26 richest people in the world own as much as the poorest 50%. Does that make sense?

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:

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