The gardens at Newtimber Place will be open as part of the NGS (National Gardens Scheme) on Sunday 23rd April between 2pm and 5.30pm. The gardens are lovely at this time of year with stunning daffodils and beautiful fritillaries. Beautiful Grade I listed C16/C17 moated house (not open). Gardens and woods full of bulbs and wild flowers in spring. Herbaceous border and lawns. Moat flanked by water plants. Mature trees. Wild garden, ducks, chickens and fish. Tea and home made cakes in aid of the church. There are ducks, chickens and guinea fowl wandering around so dogs need to be kept on a lead. Admission £4.00, children free.
The National Trust writes:
Tours of the 17th century buildings, the surrounding downs and the walled garden. Displays and demonstrations of traditional work including hurdle making, shepherding, carpenters’ workshop and more. Watch out for newly born lambs and the sheep dog Belle. Tea and home-made cakes available.
Sunday 23rd April, 10:30am–4:00pm, adult £5, child £2, family £13.
Sloe Gin and Homemade Liqueur Competition: Monday 6th February, Royal Oak Poynings (Village Night — table reservations advisable). Entries in by 8:00pm (a jam jar will do), £1.50 per entry (2016/2017 fruit only). Two categories:
(i) Poynings — Sloe Gin Cup and prize for best liqueur (fruit+spirit);
(ii) Foreigners — Fulking, Newtimber, Pyecombe, and Woodmancote.
Tony’s brother, Christopher, notes that:
His first pub was The Lamb at Lewes. His subsequent success at The Royal Oak at Barcombe was recognised by the brewery, which asked him to take over the (at the time) run-down Shepherd & Dog at Fulking. With his outgoing and welcoming character and an inspiring menu, he rapidly turned this famous pub into the go-to destination just outside Brighton.
More here.
Tony Brooks writes:
From the mid 1970s until the 1990s, Tony Bradley-Hole took over the Shepherd and Dog. In 1978, at the time of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, a fancy dress parade for children took place along The Street in Fulking, finishing with a tea party for the entire village in the pub car park, hosted by the Bradley-Holes. Later that year the pub also organised a torchlight procession through the village which culminated in a bonfire and firework display, on what is today, the front lawn of Cannonberries on the Poynings Road. Similarly, for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, the pub offered breakfast to start the day. Villagers then went home to watch the ceremony on television and returned to the pub afterwards for food, drink and a celebration that lasted until midnight.
In the Village Hall on Friday 9th December from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Entry free but please bring a dish of savoury finger food for sharing. Mulled wine, soft drinks, tombola.
Before wishing you all a very Happy Christmas let me first congratulate the Village Hall Action Group on the launch evening for their magnificent calendar. Not a bad turnout, and even the Chair of the Parish Council was there, mind you he took the majority of the pictures! It was so good to see Kath from Rushfields who are one of the sponsors and have been a major sale location.
At the time of writing the sales have exceeded 500 calendars, a second printing has been selling well, and the comments from outside the village have been very positive.
The Christmas Market/Fair in the village hall just gets better and better. Lots of helpers but hats off to Jen and Chris for driving it along every year. It has become another fixture on the Fulking calendar.
Christmas in a village like Fulking takes on a warmth not found in more urban environments. We should do everything we can to preserve that atmosphere. To this end the Social Committee have delivered invitations for the annual Christmas party on Friday 9th December to all villagers. There will be mulled, red and white wine and a tombola. The only thing we ask of you is to bring some savoury finger food. The party is from 6.30 to 8.30pm and children are welcome. Please try to be there.
The Shepherd & Dog is putting on its usual Kids Christmas Party on Saturday 24th December. What a good chance for mums to get a bit of space by sending dad out with the kids! It is a great fun event.
You must get sick of me nagging you month after month so, just for a change, my thanks to all of you who helped this year, in any way, to create such a wonderful place to live. Happy Christmas!
