Latest News of Local Interest

Bobservation No. 98: Democracy Quiz

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Image of St Andrews with inset of Rishi SunakSt Andrews Quiz evening
This annual event, with a brilliant quizmaster, always so well organised and with a delightful supper, has been a great pleasure for quite a few years now. Last Friday the Furzefield Four, comprising the recent and current owners of that property, had a disastrous attempt at answering most of the questions but in spite of that had a most enjoyable evening. This really is a fixture on the local village calendar. Long may it reign!

Democracy?
Considering the ghastly mess that this Government has got all of us into, it is worth reflecting that the poorest will suffer the most and the wealthiest the least. I count myself as one of the more fortunate citizens and am enthusiastic to change this imbalance as soon as possible. Our nation has staggered along under a system that is flawed from top to bottom. Because change should start at the top I suggest the following changes should be considered. The Monarchy should be modernised and be subject to same laws as the rest of us. The Parliament buildings containing the Houses of Commons and Lords should be sold off and the proceeds invested in a new and modern parliament in the Midlands, which after all is nearer the centre of England. Members of Parliament should be elected by proportional representation and the House of Lords members should be similarly elected by the voting public. The Prime minister should only be chosen by the electorate and the enfranchisement age reduced to 17 for all elections. All remuneration and expenses for elected representatives should be carefully scrutinized and either reduced to acceptable levels or scrapped. The revaluation of domestic property should be updated as soon as possible for council tax purposes with second properties subject to double that tax. Having moaned about all that, and to be completely apolitical, I do sincerely wish the new Prime Minister the very best of luck. He seems a decent sort of man and I am delighted we have a leader who, for the first time, is a person of colour. He faces a very difficult journey but, so long as he has support from his own party, he may be able to lead us put of this mess.

Agenda – Ordinary Meeting Thursday 13th October 2022

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You are cordially invited to the Ordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council, on Thursday 13th October 2022 at 7.30pm to be held at Fulking Village Hall. The meeting will consider the items set out below.

Trevor Parsons – Parish Clerk

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.

22/062/OM. – Apologies for Absence.

22/063/OM. – Declaration of Members’ Interests.

22/064/OM. – Approve the Minutes* of the Ordinary Meeting of 7thth July 2022 The minutes, subject to any amendments, to be approved and signed as a true record of the meeting.

22/065/OM. – Matters Arising & Outstanding Actions: To clarify and report on actions brought forward from the last meeting.

· Operation Watershed

22/066/OM. – Reports from District and County Councillors.

22/067/OM. – Market Garden, Conifers & Small Acres Update

22/068/OM. – Antisocial behaviour MSDC & Police support

22/069/OM. – Ladybrook Spring & drainage clearance

22/070/OM. – Pop Up Camping

22/071/OM. – ROSPA report & Playground Maintenance

22/072/OM. – Village Hall Update

22/073/OM. – Waste Water Treatment building works

22/074/OM. – Fulking Parish Council Budget 2023/2024.

22/075/OM. – Reports from Outside Bodies.

22/076/OM. – Information Items. To receive information and items for the agenda at future meetings.

22/077/OM. – Correspondence. To discuss correspondence and respond to correspondence received.

22/078/OM. – Financial Matters: To receive the report on the Council’s income and to approve future expenditure.

Date of the next Ordinary Meeting: Thursday 12th January 2023

Bobservation No. 97: Fulking Affinity

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Signpost showing Clappers Lane signFulking  Affinity
It is nearly 7 weeks since old age caused us to leave our beloved Fulking and move to Henfield. The move was a sensible one dictated by the passing years and whilst we are now small wheels in what seems like a big cog, we were quite unable to cope with being custodians of the unique 3 acres that constitute Furzefield.
Fortunately we have passed the baton on to worthy successors. It is quite surprising to find that where we nowlive it is as quiet or possibly even quieter than Clappers Lane but the same camaraderie does not appear to exist amongst neighbours, age probably being a major factor.
I am still in regular contact with Samantha and the Monday group and get village news from some of the many friends we made while we were in Fulking. The Social Committee is now being led enthusiastically by Sally who tells me that plans for a Christmas party are under way and, if we are invited, I look forward to joining with you in this village annual event. I know just how hard it is to get these occasions off the ground, so please do offer to join in and help as much as you can.
Just can’t stop nagging you!!

Planning Meeting – Wednesday 5th October 2022

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You are cordially invited to an Extraordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council, on Wednesday 5th October 2022 at 6.30pm 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.  

22/058/PM.          Apologies for Absence.  

22/059/PM.          Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

22/060/PM.          Planning matters – SDNP/22/04317/FUL 

Location: Small Acre Clappers Lane Fulking West Sussex  

Proposal: Change of use of land to provide two pitch settled gypsy accommodation site, including erection of utility building 

22/061/PM.    Planning Matters – SDNP/22/04214/FUL 

Location: Perching Parva Farm Holmbush Lane Woodmancote Henfield West Sussex BN5 9TL  

Proposal: Demolition of existing commercial building and the erection of a replacement building.  

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

 

Bobservation No. 96: Continuation

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Bluebells at Furzefield
Farewell to Fulking
As I write this I feel as though I am in another world! After thirty years of quite demanding work being custodians at Furzefield of a unique three acres of oak and hazel woodland and a glorious spread of bluebells in spring, we have moved to a delightful bungalow in Henfield. Moving was not the big wrench  we expected, just very hard work. Rich, Sarah and Archie will be our very dedicated successors.
A tremendous and very moving farewell was our great good fortune; held in the village hall attended by so many village friends who I dare not name for fear of leaving someone out! Sufficient to say, I was never able to encourage a Social Committee meeting of that size!  The leaving gift was quite amazingly generous and we were both very humbled by it. Many, many thanks to all of you. I fear my few words of thanks at the time turned into something of a hopeless drivel rather like recent question times in the House of Commons.
If only to achieve my century it has been suggested that I might continue with Bobservation a little while longer, which pleasure I hope you will grant me.

Fulking Fair 2022
Perhaps not quite as exciting as it can be because of the extreme heat and the need for new input. The future will be very well driven by Sally and her team with lots of new ideas. Please give her all the support she will need. Fulking Fair deserves to be protected, it has become a great local event.

Wine from Wolstonbury (2022 update)

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Wolstonbury vineyard

Weeks of hot, dry weather means vines are “flourishing”, setting winemakers up for a bumper yield of grapes this year .. The drought has helped to keep mildew and pests at bay, while the hot weather has helped grapes to ripen, said Ivan Weightman, co-owner of Wolstonbury vineyard in West Sussex. “So far, so good with the heat,” he said. “The vines are certainly loving it, the bunches are swelling, and yeah, it looks great.” [Click here for the full MSN report.]