Latest News of Local Interest

Bobservation No. 105: Fulking Fair 2023

Posted on


Fulking Fair
This year’s fair will, as usual, be centred on the RSPCA fun dog show. In addition there will be childrens games, tattoo face painting, a competition, races and Tug of War. Food will include Crepes, Fudge, BBQ, Hot dogs, Pies, Bakeries, Pizzas, Ice Cream, Cakes, Biltong, Fresh fruit, Hot caramelized sandwiches, Homemade cakes, Preserves, Indian home cooking. Liquid refreshment by the Shepherd & Dog, teas, coffees, beers & wines, cocktails. Demonstrations by HART, Woodland Trust, hedgelaying, woodworking, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Henfield spinners & weavers. Music by Tenderhooks, Henfield Ukulele band, Pyecombe Choir. Doggie things like pet portraits, dog collars, dog & pet food, dog training. Sales stalls including childrens books, jewellery, leatherwork, bric a brac, caps & hats, ladies clothing, cards & gifts, flowers. Information from Fulking Parish Council, Sustainable Henfield 2030. AND an exceptional TOMBOLA to win great value prizes.

Ok! So I know we are missing a couple of F-16 fighters and a troop of Chieftain tanks but you can’t say we didn’t try!!

All of this takes a number of volunteers to make it work in an acceptable manner. If you have not already done so please contact Sally Brownie to see what you can do to help.

Annual Parish Meeting – Thursday 18th May 2023 – 7.30pm

Posted on

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday 18th May at 7.30pm at Fulking Village Hall.

Agenda: Annual Meeting of Council 

23/038/AMC Chairman’s Welcome followed by Election of Chairman & Vice Chairman 

Agenda: Annual Parish Meeting 

23/039/APM Apologies for Absence 

23/040/APM Approval of previous years’ minutes Annual Parish Meeting 12th May 2022 

23/041/APM   Chairman’s report 

23/042/APM    Reports from District & County Councillors 

23/043/APM    Questions to Matthew Thompson Communities Lead – Fulking Water Treatment Works 

23/044/APM.   To consider and agree the Internal Audit Report Letter dated 20/04/2022. 

23/045/APM.   To consider and agree the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for the year ending 31 March 2022 ensuring it accurately presents the financial management of the Council as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015. 

23/046/APM.   Date of next Ordinary Meeting Thursday 6th July 2023. 

Bobservation No. 104: No Election, No Mow

Posted on

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

Posted on


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

Posted on

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

Posted on

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

Agenda Planning Meeting 3rd April 2023

Posted on

You are cordially invited to an Extraordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council, on Monday 3rd April 2023 at 7.00pm via Microsoft Teams where the meeting will consider the items set out below. The public is invited to this meeting so please contact Trevor Parsons – Parish Clerk on 07767 422733 or at parishclerk@fulking.net if you would like to join this meeting.  

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.  

23/034/PM.          Apologies for Absence.  

23/035/PM.          Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

23/036/PM.          Planning matters- SDNP/23/00661/HOUS

Location: Coombes The Street Fulking Henfield West Sussex BN5 9LX
Proposal: Single and two storey extension (demolish existing extension)

23/037/PM.        Community TRO. 

 

Date of APM & AGM to be Thursday 18th May 2023

Planning Meeting – Sunnyacres

Posted on

You are cordially invited to an Extraordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council, on Thursday 23rd March 2023 at 7.00pm via Microsoft Teams where the meeting will consider the items set out below. The public is invited to this meeting so please contact Trevor Parsons – Parish Clerk on 07767 422733 or at parishclerk@fulking.net if you would like to join this meeting.  

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.  

23/030/PM.          Apologies for Absence. 

23/031/PM.          Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

23/032/PM.          Planning matters- SDNP/23/00198/HOUS 

Location: Sunnyacres Clappers Lane Fulking West Sussex BN5 9NJ  

Proposal: Erection of a three bay oak framed garage with clay tiled roof and wood cladding 

23/033/PM.        Any other business. 

Date of APM & AGM to be Thursday 18th May 2023.