Bobservation No. 104: No Election, No Mow

image of un=mown lawn
No Mow May
On Monday 1 May ‘No Mow May’ will commence. This wonderful idea created by ‘Plantlife’ seeks to get us all through the month of May without mowing our grass. Of course, unless you are rewilding 100%, it is allowable to create mowed paths which will enable Robins and Blackbirds to source insects. Otherwise it will free the wildflowers so they can grow wild, provide a feast for pollinators and lock away atmospheric carbon below ground. Now this all sounds very easy but most British gardeners have been brought up with a ‘cricket pitch’ mentality, this encourages large swathes of beautifully geometrically mown green lawn to delight the eye; you must resist this archaic attitude and think of saving the planet from climate change. Beware of marriage destroying arguments! And remember there are no weeds only wildflowers growing in the wrong place!

Parish Council Elections
So it turns out that there is such a lack of interest in standing for election to the Parish Council in Fulking that there was no need to hold an election at all! I believe this means that Fulking continues to have a Parish Council of five unelected members and as vacancies occur villagers will be co-opted by invitation from the currently unelected but co-opted members. I think it is a great disappointment that current villagers are missing the chance to exercise their right to choose who they wish to represent them at the base of the whole democratic process. Of course, ideally, what should happen is that the whole Parish council should have to be re-elected individually at the end of each four year term, but alas such is not the case. I hasten to say this is in no way a criticism of the existing Parish Council.

Family History Workshop


How to start and help with exploring your family history and to hear from others about their family stories.

Lead by Sue Albery at Beeding & Bramber Village Hall on Wednesday 5th April 2023 at 7.45pm (entrance to car park is opposite the hall). Organized by Beeding and Bramber Local History Society, visitors welcome — £5 entry or join on the night — membership for 1 year only £15.

Bobservation No. 103: Planning Update

Planning Update: Public Facility

I understand that a planning application will be placed on record at Mid Sussex District Council and South Downs National Park for the installation of a public toilet next to the Ruskin water feature. This will accommodate the needs of both men and women. It is suggested that to conjoin with the name of Ruskin in the village that the proposed toilet be given a title chosen by Fulking villagers. Possible titles might be the name of a local celebrity, a villager or even a politician or member of the Royal Family. Perhaps the toilet could be painted blue to remind us of the political party that has been so successful in restoring confidence and wealth to all Fulking villagers. We could doff our headwear as we pass. [1.4.23]

Charmayne Diamond RIP

Charmayne Diamond
Alas! What a rotten year we have just had and now more news of another ex- Fulking villager who has passed away. Charmayne was a most enthusiastic villager and greatly enlivened the annual Call my Bluff wine quizzes. I was fortunate enough to be sitting in the Theatre Royal in Brighton with her and Lee on the evening when the Argus award for ‘Best Community event in Sussex’ was awarded to Fulking for the Fair and the three of us went on stage to receive the award. She was so excited. This could only have been achieved with her generosity in running the Dog Show and letting us use her two fields adjacent to her house for the fair. I hope it would not be incorrect to say she was genuinely one of those ‘larger than life’ people who very occasionally cross one’s path. Goodbye Charm!

Bob Rowland