Category Archives: North Town Field

Bobservation No.121: Participation

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Cropped and rotated partial image of fun day poster - blue text on white

Fulking Fun Day
What a successful day this should have been. Weather not too bad and input by the Social Committee and other villagers very good indeed. I suppose the highlight has to be the Steel Band with our very own SallyAnne performing with great skill and energy! BUT the attendance was really pretty poor considering the effort that had been generated. It has been a problem for many years and it is hard for me to suggest something that would encourage more villagers to attend. In the past the Fulking Fair managed to attract big numbers probably because it was supported by the RSPCA dog show, advertised to the general public and had car parking in the immediate vicinity. So if these purely village events are to continue some ideas are required to encourage Fulking residents to attend. If you have an idea please contact the Social Committee.

Quotations Group
The Quotations Group was originated by Samantha and is still chaired by her most skilfully. We meet in the village hall every Monday morning to discuss a subject agreed from the previous week. Regular attendance is between seven and ten adults. In an interesting way I like to think we have become good friends and the discussions are very open! Meetings start at 11am and generally last for about an hour and a half. All villagers are welcome.

Bobservation No. 88: Handing on the Social Baton

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Bob Rowland at Furzefield
A Happy and healthy New Year to all of you
At last old age has caught up with me and I am handing over the Chair of the Social Committee to Sally Brownie who will be terrific in the job. In nearly 28 years of involvement many memories come to mind: at the fair, the beagle cocking his leg on the lady drummer, the marquee blown down by the wind, the bar and band in another marquee while the rain poured down, Toon Ghose flying over as a salute, wellie throwing, the bubbles, the Argus award, Nigel jamming it with Aiden’s band, pony rides, gladiators, the owls, the bats, wonderful stallholders, alpacas on show, mud and rain, hot summer days, model steam engine, tasty food, Punch & Judy and puppets, tug of war, dog shows, dancers in the street,’ Sold as Seen’ and all the other musicians, £1000+ take on the gate in 2014. And other events such as ‘Fulking’s got talent’, Graham’s Carol Services at St Andrews, Call my Bluff and wine quizzes, the Caribbean evening, Barn Dancing, the Morrismen, historical lectures, Easter egg hunting, rounders, plays in the village hall and North Town Field, carol singing, Tricia’s yoga, the lady covered in chocolate at the Bremers, Dave & Em at the S&D and even more. All of this adds up to the marvellous time I have had living in Fulking. Do help Sally look after the amazing thing that has been created by such a small village.

Christmas party in the North Town Field
Thanks to Sally and Samantha for organising the very successful mulled wine and edibles in the North Town Field on the early evening of 11 December. An anonymous villager who had a direct contact with Father Christmas managed to get that very busy gentleman to attend to the amazement of some of the children and possibly adults as well!

Bobservation No. 87: Village Times & Politicians

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Collage for Bobervation 87

The Changing Times of Fulking & Edburton Vol 2 2007-2015 by Tony Brooks
Tony’s son Trevor has uncovered some 25 copies of this remarkable history that Tony created. He has requested that these be sold for a donation to be given to the Alzheimers Society. I do highly recommend this to villagers for a donation of £5 cash. Please give me a shout on 271 or email me if you would like a copy. If you know someone who has Vol 1 this would make a very nice stocking filler!

National Governance
Believe me this is an apolitical opinion. Over the course of my long life I have at various times supported and voted Conservative, Green, Labour, Liberal and Social Democrat. I just feel so aggrieved at the attitude and performance of the current Government that I had to express my thoughts. I have seen countries governed by political clowns such as Mussolini, Berlasconi, Trump and Bolsonaro and it saddens me to see my own country falling into the same political cesspit. The awarding of peerages for personal favours and to chums has reached a ludicrous level and greatly diminished the standing of the House of Lords, not that it was ever particularly very high! I do hope that the electorate will take on board the criticisms by John Major about the appalling Owen Paterson scandal. As villagers we take part in the first rung of the ladder of democracy in appointing Parish Councillors and subsequently District and County Councillors and lastly Members of Parliament to represent us at the highest level. I do beg you, when the appropriate time comes, to cast your vote thoughtfully and with consideration for the immediate past. It is correct that Governments and Councils should be held to account for their performance while in office.

Christmas Party
It had been intended to have the usual village Christmas party in the village hall on Saturday 11th  December. The Fulking Social Committee decided not to go ahead with the event due to the difficulty of complying with basic Covid precautions. An outdoor event will be held in the North Town Field taking its place. Please do not relax your caution in fighting this pandemic.

Bobservation No. 81: Fair Change

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Colourful hands on yellew backgroundThis changing world
Jenny reminded me the other day of some of the really involved people who are no longer in the village. At the risk of omitting someone, in no particular order, Nick, Kate, Jo, Jim & Carolyn, Tony & Doris, Nick & Jill, Sarah, Harry & Charmayne, Ian and Jill, Adrian, Anthony, Alison, Tim, Annette, Holly & Ollie, Brian, Barry, Dave & Emily. I apologise for omissions! The point I am making is that since they left it has been harder and harder to get enthusiastic supporters of village events. Whenever the Coronavirus is controlled, life as we knew it will never be the same again. I hope that the acceptance with which people were prepared to put up with things will have been replaced by a more questioning attitude and a demand for a fairer more egalitarian society. Assuming this leads to material change, particularly in the NHS, it can only be a good thing so far as most of the population are concerned. Indeed, I think it is for villagers to do everything that they can legally to assist in bringing about such change.

RSPCA fun dog show at Fulking Fair
Subject to regulations concerning the virus and, of course, the weather we are on track for a really good fair on Sunday 25 July from noon till 5pm in the North Town Field. There will be live music, hot food, a bar, childrens’ games, teas and cakes and some interesting stalls. RSPCA will be taking part for the first time with a fun dog show from 12.30pm. National Trust, Sussex Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust will be there. We are still very short of helpers, for all manner of jobs, so if you would like to join us and help raise some funds for Fulking village needs, please get in touch. I am seriously concerned that if we do not get more offers of help the Fair will be in jeopardy.

Spring North Town Field Clear-up

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Garden tools
Saturday March 1st — join us this Saturday at around 10:00am for the first North Town Field clear-up of the year. Bring your own tools, e.g., shears, secateurs, gloves. If you use the North Town Field, we need your help to look after it and keep it looking lovely!
Contact Jen Green 552 or Tricia Robinson 255 for more details.

Bobservation No. 62: Climate Change

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Hollie and Ollie

Hollie & Ollie’s Wedding

Now that’s what a picture of a happy couple of newly weds should look like! Isn’t it lovely?

Climate Change

Many ghastly things are happening right now in our world but rising above them all is the planet-threatening event of Climate Change/Global Heating. It is easy to blame governments and oppositions for a dilatory attitude towards this, with some good reason, but it is incumbent on every one of us to act. Photovoltaic panels have become considerably cheaper to install and in spite of reduced feed-in tariffs have become cost-effective with the ever-rising cost of electricity. Solar water heating is also cheaper than it was and, in spite of our unpredictable weather, a highly efficient way to supply hot water. Certainly most short-haul journeys can be accomplished without the need to fly. If you have room in your garden then plant a tree. Perhaps when we get over what I can only describe as ‘the Eton mess’ we can concentrate on saving what there is left of the planet.

Fulking Social Committee

Dates for your diary:

Fulking Village Christmas party from 6:00pm until 8:00pm on Saturday 7th December in the village hall. You should be getting a card invitation soon, if not already. Drinks are free but please bring a plate of savoury nibbles. Hope to have a raffle of amazing prizes!

Fulking Fair 2020 will be held in the North Town Field on Sunday July 26th. Volunteers for nearly everything are needed. Please call me on 271 for information.

Autumn North Town Field Clear-up

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Autumn North Town Field Clear-up
A North Town Field clear-up is scheduled for Saturday, November 2nd at 10:30am. If that day is a washout we will have the clear-up on the following day, Sunday 3rd, at the same time. Bring your own tools, e.g., shears, secateurs, gloves.

Please come and join us — it’s fun! If you use the North Town Field, we need your help to look after it and keep it looking lovely! Contact Jen Green 552 or Tricia Robinson 255 for more details.

Bobservation No. 59: Fair Play

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Three images of Fulking Fair 2019

At about 2pm on Sunday 28th July I stood in the middle of the North Town Field and realised that the Fulking Social Committee together with Allsorts Dog Rescue and quite a few helpers had created as near to a perfect village fair as you will find.

Perfect weather, exotic dancing, lovely dog show, a great selection of stalls, tombola and model steam engine, really enjoyable teas and food, exciting tug of war, fun kids games, wonderful music and a highly professional bar were all enjoyed by the many visitors. It was truly memorable.

Too early to announce the financial details but sufficient evidence to tell you that it was profitable and improves our reserves for village hall and North Town Field requirements. And I nearly forgot! Call my Bluff on the Friday was just as successful.

What a wonderful Fulking weekend! It will be quite a challenge to follow this up with a repeat performance next year.