Bobservation No. 88: Handing on the Social Baton

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!

Planning Meeting Thursday 16th December 2021

You are cordially invited to an Extraordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council, on Thursday 16th December 2021 at 7.00pm at the Village Hall where the meeting will consider the items set out below. 

Mark Hind – Chairman  

Following the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, and regarding regulations on Access to Local Government Meetings, members of the public are advised that they have a right to film/record the meetings of Fulking Parish Council. Members of the public are also advised that by attending a meeting of Fulking Parish Council, they give their consent to being filmed/recorded by other members of the public, if such activity is taking place. 

AGENDA 

Public Participation: There will be a period of 15 minutes set aside at the beginning of the meeting for the public to ask questions or make comments on items on the Agenda. Comments on items not appearing on the agenda can be made at the chairman’s discretion.  

21/093/EM.          Apologies for Absence. 

21/094/EM.          Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

21/095/PM.          Planning matters 

Location: Pippins Poynings Road Fulking BN5 9NB  

Proposal: Single storey additions  

21/096/EM    2022/2023 Budget Planning 

 

Date of the next Ordinary Meeting: Thursday 13th January 2022 

 

Bobservation No. 87: Village Times & Politicians

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.

Village Hall Meeting – Saturday 4th December 2021

Please help save our Village Hall

Public Meeting 10am Saturday 4th December 2021

You are all invited to attend a meeting being held in the Village Hall to discuss the future of this important community asset. As you may be aware the hall is owned by the Church but is currently managed under an informal arrangement by the Village Hall Action Group (VHAG). The Parish Council for some time has been keen to formalise an arrangement with the Church to secure the hall for use by the community.

Earlier this year the Church was considering the future of the hall and following close dialogue between the Church, the Parish Council and representatives of VHAG all parties are keen that we protect this asset for use by the community and secure it for future generations.

At the meeting we will share and discuss more details of our plan which is to create a Fulking Village Hall Trust and for them to purchase the land and hall from the Church.

Do please come along.

Mark Hind – Chairman Fulking Parish Council

Reverend Tim Harford – Rector Mid Downland Parish

Please note in order to minimise the risk of Covid-19 we are asking all attendees to wear masks whilst in the hall and to wear warm clothing as the windows and doors will be open for ventilation.

Planning Meeting 30th November 2021

You are cordially invited to an Extraordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council, on Tuesday 30th November 2021 at 7.00pm via Zoom where the meeting will consider the items set out below. 

If you wish to participate in the meeting, please can you email the Clerk on  parishclerk@fulking.net who will provide you will the log in reference. 

Mark Hind – Chairman  

AGENDA 

Public Participation: There will be a period of 15 minutes set aside at the beginning of the meeting for the public to ask questions or make comments on items on the Agenda. Comments on items not appearing on the agenda can be made at the chairman’s discretion.  

21/089/PM.          Apologies for Absence. 

21/090/PM.          Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

21/091/PM.          Planning matters 

Location: Customary Cottage The Street Fulking BN5 9LU SDNP/21/05523/CND 

Proposal: Variation of condition 4 relating to planning approval SDNP/21/03640/HOUS to change the use of the garage from incidental use to ancillary use, in connection with the main dwelling 

21/092/PM.          Planning matters 

Location: Arbor Vitae The Street Fulking BN5 9LU SDNP/21/03914/HOUS 

Proposal: Extension to swimming pool plant room. Erection of single storey artist’s studio to rear of garage in walled garden

Date of the next Ordinary Meeting: Thursday 13th January 2022.