Bobservation No 20

Bobservation Banner - Fair from the 90s with effects

I do encourage you all to take on board this year’s Fair and Fun Day is on Saturday 30th July. The venue has changed and will now be in the North Town Field and Shepherd & Dog.

However, parking for visitors will be, as last year, in Downside Meadow and the public will be directed along the Street to the North Town Field and the pub.  Along the way we will be having teas and cakes at the Village Hall and garden. The usual country craft and food stalls and lots of childrens’ events will be in the North Town Field

It would create a happy village atmosphere if some stalls could be operated by villagers or their children/grandchildren in the front gardens in the Street. I would suggest this would be a good way for some of the younger villagers to make a bit of pocket money by selling craft or food or drinks they have made or selected.

This is a new direction for the fair its success can only be guaranteed by the input from the villagers (and the weather!!).

The next Social Committee meeting to discuss the Fair is in the Village Hall at 8pm on Wednesday 22nd June. All helpers are welcome. For further information, call 271.

On the market

Perching Sands Farmhouse

Perching Sands Farmhouse

This building originated as a triple tenement cottage housing farm labourers and was used as such until Terry Willis purchased it in 1986. He reduced the cottages to ground level, modified the footings and rebuilt them as one house using as many of the original bricks and other materials as could be salvaged. As construction progressed old beams, doors, door frames and floorboards, all largely made of oak, were incorporated into the new building. He even placed a stone bearing the date 1856 that had previously been part of the original cottages on the front wall, giving the house an air of authenticity. A large, well established pond on the south side of the building was reduced to about half its size by filling around its circumference with hard-core. This was done in such a way that it still retained the appearance of the original pond.

A public footpath extending from the north end of Perching Drove runs through the large, picturesque front garden and from the back garden there are the most wonderful views west, across the Sussex Weald, to the ridge of the South Downs and Chanctonbury Ring. Watching the sunset from there is a truly magnificent sight.

Passage adapted from Anthony R. Brooks (2008) The Changing Times of Fulking & Edburton. Chichester: RPM Print & Design, pages 189-190.