Category Archives: Farming

From the Sussex Ox to the First Tractor

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Sussex oxen at Exceat
Ian Everest talks to the Beeding & Bramber Local History Society on Wednesday October 7th at 7:45pm in the Village Hall, Upper Beeding.

Oxen were still in use at Chyngton and Exceat Farms in Seaford until the mid-1920s and were reckoned to have been in use on the Sussex Downs for over one thousand years before. The talk includes photographs of them at work in Seaford, Bishopstone, East Dean and Lewes, together with some of the more unusual non-agricultural work that they were used for. Following the demise of the oxen in Sussex, the talk looks at the evolution of farming to horses and steam power, the rioting when the threshing machines were introduced and the arrival of the first tractors.

[GJMG notes: I attended a different talk by this speaker in Henfield a couple of years ago. It remains the best local history talk I have heard. Ian Everest was brought up on one of the farms he discusses and he really knows his stuff. In addition, he is an excellent speaker with well organized material.]

Tonto, he say ..

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The Lone Ranger leaves The Royal Oak at Poynings

We not work for pay. We work for justice.

Reassure worried sheep, round up rustled cattle and chase stolen quad bikes across the Downs — become a Sussex Equine Ranger:

Horse riders are being asked to help police fight the rising levels of rural crime by becoming horse rangers. The pilot areas are Bolney, Warninglid,Twineham, Hickstead, Albourne, Pyecombe, Poynings, Fulking, Hurspierpoint, Sayers Common and Hassocks. Crimes include theft of tractors, agricultural equipment, quad bikes and livestock .. equestrian equipment is featured in the top ten items most commonly targeted.

Application deadline August 10th. More information here.

Cattle on The Downs

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Cow plus NT signRecently, villagers have become concerned about a number of incidents between residents and the cattle grazing on Fulking escarpment.  In July 2015 the Parish Council invited the National Trust to a meeting to discuss the situation. One of the suggestions was to use the website to exchange information on the cattle.

A new page has been set up to do just that.

If you have any comments or observations to add to the page, please email webmaster@fulking.org (headed “Cattle on the Downs”). The National Trust will also be adding their comments and responses. Read more…

Villager chased by cow

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A cow cases Joey
One of our villagers was walking on the Escarpment with a friend on Friday and they were chased by a cow with a very young calf. They ended up having to divert from the main footpath as they were then confronted with the herd including many small calves.

Please remember that cows with young calves are very protective and can attack if they feel threatened. The Countryside Code states that if cattle or horses chase you and your dog, it is safer to let your dog off the lead – don’t risk getting hurt by trying to protect it. Your dog will be much safer if you let it run away from a farm animal in these circumstances and so will you. Please therefore be vigilant when out walking.

Kate Watson