Category Archives: Fauna
Woodmancote Place — still available

Country Life does the history:
Set in 149 acres of lakeside gardens and grounds, pasture, deer park and woodland, the house, first mentioned in records of 1339 and 1434, has evolved over time around the core of a late-medieval stone building, of which only one storey survives, with an early-17th-century, timber-framed first floor above it.
According to its listing, the south parlour was rebuilt in the early 1700s as part of a new five-bay range running eastwards, and the entire house was refaced in about 1920, and extended to the east, west and north, in the revived Sussex Vernacular style, par timber-framed and part tile-hung. The park, restocked with deer by the current owners, who bought Woodmancote Place in 2002, was established in the late 19th century; the gardens around the house were laid out by Cheals of Crawley in 1923. As the chief manor house of the village, Woodmancote Place has had its share of famous-and infamous-owners.
In 1530, Woodmancote passed to Catherine, wife of Sir Edward Seymour, later Earl of Hertford and 1st Duke of Somerset, who was executed for treason in 1552. In 1531, Seymour sold the manor to Richard Bellingham, whose widow married George Goring, described as lord of the manor in 1560. For 200 years from 1693, the estate was owned by the industrious Dennett family, who extended the house and increased the farmland to 402 acres by 1840.
Fulking Village Fair – Sunday 28th July 2013
Fulking Fair 2013 exceeded all expectations.The weather was perfect, the attendance well up on the last fair and the dog show, food, drink, stalls, music, exhibitors, games, alpacas and owls were all brilliant.
There is no doubt this village fair has become one of the best fairs in the county if not in the country.
Many thanks to all the villagers who devoted so much time and energy in creating a truly wonderful occasion.
Fulking Social Committee
Click here for a selection of photos from Fulking Fair 2013
If you have any other photographs of this year’s fair that you would like to share then please email them to webmaster@fulking.net
Join the Hit Squad

If you’re interested in wildlife and enjoy working outdoors then Sussex Wildlife Trust is looking for conservation volunteers to help at local nature reserves. Every weekend, our Saturday Conservation Hit Squad, led by Sarah Quantrill, visits different nature reserves to carry out important conservation tasks. Summertime work includes path clearing, fencing repairs and bramble or bracken control. As well as learning new skills, getting out in the fresh air and meeting new people, our Saturday volunteers enjoy spotting plenty of wildlife including summer butterflies, wild flowers and birds. Although this is a weekly group working from 9-5pm on a Saturday, volunteers do not have to commit to helping every week. The only requirement is to be over 18 years old and reasonably fit. Lifts are available from Woods Mill nature reserve near Henfield or volunteers can go direct to the chosen nature reserve. If you’re interested in joining us for a taster day or finding out more then please get in touch with Liz Francis on 01273 497562 or email lizfrancis@sussexwt.org.uk
New South Downs Book Series

UPDATE, 21st July: all three volumes are now available — my copies arrived a couple of days ago, GJMG.
There’s a new book series on the South Downs with volumes on the archaeology (John Manley), geology (David Robinson) and natural history (Robin Crane and Rendel Williams). The geology volume appears to be available now but note that there’s a slightly discounted price if you order all three volumes at the same time.
RSPB South Downs Futurescape
Some of you will have seen Rachel Whitfield, the RSBP Community Engagement Officer, presenting at the recent Fulking Parish Council meeting.
Rachel has sent us a flyer and her presentation notes to put here on the website.
Rachel’s contact details are:-
Rachel Whitfield
Community Engagement Officer
South Downs Futurescape
Futurescapes is generously supported by the EU LIFE+ Communications Programme
The RSPB, South East Regional Office
1st Floor, Pavilion View, 19 New Road, Brighton, BN1 1UF
Tutorial events for kids at Stanmer Park

If you missed booking a Sussex Wildlife Trust event for your children at Woods Mill, or if the dates weren’t right, then you might want to consider the rather similar range of events at Stanmer Park. For crows, Stanmer Park is much further away from Fulking than Woods Mill, but the travel time in a car is only five to ten minutes longer.
- Tuesday 6 August: Woods Mill – Watery World
- Wednesday 7 August: Stanmer Park – Super Shelters
- Tuesday 13 August: Woods Mill Summer – Groovy Gardens
- Wednesday 14 August: Stanmer Park Summer – Tracks & Signs
- Tuesday 20 August: Woods Mill Summer – Terrific Trees
- Wednesday 21 August: Stanmer Park Summer – Terrific Trees
Party at Saddlescombe

The Argus reports:
Up to 400 revellers partied at an all-night rave at the weekend. The secret party started just before midnight on Saturday and was still going on Sunday afternoon. Entry was forced to fields adjacent to Saddlescombe Farm, near Devil’s Dyke. The National Trust asked party goers to respect nocturnal animals in managed areas. .. An organiser behind Fraktal, one of four soundsystems onsite, said: “The landowner was briefly on site on Sunday and said he had no issues with the event as long as all rubbish is cleaned up afterwards.”



