Please note that Bob’s contact number for the forthcoming Wine Quiz was wrong in the printed version of the Pigeon Post – it should be 271. That’s the Wine Quiz on Saturday 24th January, 7 for 7.30 pm. Tickets from Bob 271 or bob.pamrowland@btinternet.com
Latest News of Local Interest
And hang a pearl in every cowslip’s ear
The Duke of Burgundy butterfly is one of the most rapidly declining and threatened species of butterfly in the UK. Numbers have crashed by over 50 per cent since the 1970s and only about 100 colonies remain. In 2003, just eight Duke of Burgundy butterflies were recorded in the whole of Sussex. Over the next two years, Neil Hulme and Steyning Downland Scheme volunteers will be planting cowslip to encourage the Duke of Burgundy back to the chalk grasslands of the Steyning Downland. Neil has already been successful in seeing the Duke of Burgundy return to Chantry Hill, about nine miles west of the Steyning Downland. There will be opportunities for local people to work with Wakehurst Place/Kew; to collect cowslip seed and grow cowslip plants; to learn how to identify and monitor the butterflies; and to conserve their habitat. Anyone who is interested should go to the free launch event at the Steyning Centre at 7:00pm on Monday 8th December to find out more. More here.
Bobservation No. 2
In praise of Preston Nomads Cricket Club…
The recent mini-furore over the licence application by Preston Nomads which, as I understand it, is to regularise their existing position, made me realise just how lucky we are in Fulking to have a cricket club of such note within the parish.
Other than the manic way in which some of the members can drive their cars from time to time, I do not recall any nuisance being caused by the club since the new pavilion was built and indeed before that.
In retrospect it was probably a pity that the principal access to the club was not arranged from the Poynings Road instead of Clappers Lane, but that is how it is and we all have to make the best of it.
I doubt there is, architecturally, a more attractive cricket club building in the South of England and the setting on a summer’s day is just magic viewed against the Downland backcloth.
Paul Hird, the Chairman of the club, has always gone out of his way to be welcoming to villagers and in particular St Andrew’s church has found the availability of the clubhouse for events a great blessing. The club have, over the years, been very generous in donating very attractive hampers for village events and making the clubhouse available to the village.
Let us count our blessings and see if we cannot appreciate the club more.
Bob Rowland
Steyning Arts Christmas Exhibition
At Steyning Centre on Saturday 6th December from 10:00am to 4:00pm. In addition to the art, there will be seasonal refreshments sold in aid of SAFeR (the Steyning version of HART).
Arundel by-pass approved
The Transport Secretary has today (Monday 1 December) announced up to £250 million of funding for a new dual carriageway bypass of Arundel, linking together the two existing dual carriageway sections of the road. Previous plans for an Arundel bypass were cancelled in 2003.
The new bypass will complete the “missing link” between the two existing dual-carriageway sections, running on the previous preferred ‘pink-blue’ route, subject to consultation with the South Downs National Park Authority, local authorities and the publication of this and alternative options.
Nick Herbert MP said:
Along with all of Arundel’s elected representatives at the town, district and county council level, I continue to believe that the bypass is needed, and that an offline bypass on the previously agreed ‘pink-blue’ route is by far the best option. I am glad that this is the starting point for the consultation, and I do not support other proposed routes.
According to the Department of Transport’s Feasibility Study there are around 25,000 traffic movements through Arundel on the A27 every day, nearly 80 per cent of which is through traffic and not local. Sussex Enterprise have calculated that poor transport links in the county are costing £2 billion a year.
St. Botolph’s reopens
A special re-opening event is to be held at St Botolph’s Church, in Annington Road, Botolphs, on Saturday 6th December 6, at 2:00pm (followed by a carol service at 3:00pm), to allow people to see the results of the year-long first phase of the £380,000 restoration project. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served. The charge is £3 per head, children under 16 free with an adult. More here.
Our earlier posts on this project were Churches Conservation Trust takes over St. Botolph’s (April 2013) and The restoration of St. Botolph’s (April 2014).
3Bs in WWI (reprise)
Beeding and Bramber Local History Society have curated a display about life in Beeding, Bramber, Botolphs and Small Dole during the First World War. It includes medals, photographs, letters and postcards from the front, the story of the men who died and those who survived. The display ran for three days in early November at the Gladys Bevan Hall in Upper Beeding. You now have one final chance to see it, on Saturday 6th December from 12:00–3:00pm in the small back room of Upper Beeding Village Hall (opposite the car park).
Dark Skies Pledge
The citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea all took the pledge many years ago. Now the South Downs Democratic National People’s Park Authority wants you to take it too. Just click here. ‘No’ is not an option.
Open Studio
Fulking fused glass artist Pauline Findlay is holding an Open Studio in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support at Broadreeds on Friday 5th (5-8pm) and on Saturday 6th December (10am-3pm). All are welcome.