Hugh Rapley, 1922-2013, RIP

Hut Farm, Fulking c1980, aerial photo by Joe Lancaster
An aerial photo of Hut Farm by Joe Lancaster, taken around 1980. The farm buildings are bottom left, Pippins and Poynings Road are top right.
Hugh Rapley used to live in Clappers Lane and he and his family left many many imprints on Fulking which still echo in the village. Hugh and his brother ran the market garden and dairy from Hut Farm (see photo above). The cows fed in the field which is now the smooth green cricket club pitch (Preston Nomads). Their milk was still being delivered around the village in the mid 1980s. And Hut Farm? Now transformed into Cannonberries, a single storey dwelling precisely on the site of the old farm buildings with extensive and elegant gardens where the long strips of the fuit and veg had grown for years.

Hugh had an interest in clocks especially old clocks. He could mend neighbours’ clocks and he restored beautiful old clocks and sold many of them in the village shop. People were often very surprised having come in for an ice cream to then see these working antique clocks at very modest prices alongside collectible old books, local pottery and paintings, local bread, baked beans, butter and a post office.

Before the war Hugh’s cow field had been the village field, I was told. And our current village field (North Town Field)? That was probably a cow field. And Barn Cottage, in the north west corner of old Hut Farm? Exactly what it says: a bungalow built ‘inside’ a barn when planners said ‘no’ to proposed demolition.

Gill Milner, Old Post Office

Hut Farm, Fulking, 1946
Another aerial photograph of Hut Farm, this one taken in 1946

Wine Quiz – Saturday 16 November

wine_glassBack by popular demand, following the success of the Call my Bluff at the village fair in July.

Hosted by Bob Rowland. Food and fine wines – but can you identify them?

Don’t miss this chance to enjoy a taste of the high life in Fulking!

Saturday 16th November 2013 7.00 pm for 7.30 sharp start in The Village Hall , Fulking

Tickets £15 each to include food, from Nick Hughes or Chris Gildersleeve or ring 552 but please ring evenings only.

Early booking essential to avoid disappointment.

Snow on the Bomb House

The Bomb House near Devil's Dyke, South Downs, Sussex
Fulking residents see it every day as they look up at the Downs. But what is it? When was it built? Why is it in that location? Is it a relic of the Napoleonic wars? Was it once a semaphore station? A camera obscura? Did it play a role in James Hubbard’s Victorian recreation complex on the Dyke? Why is it called “the bomb house”? Did it ever have a roof? Why is it half full of earth? Why are several walls damaged? Is Canada to blame?

You’ll find out the answers to these questions, and many others, if you attend Martin Snow’s talk The Devil’s Dyke — Pleasure Ground to Bombing Ground at the Beeding & Bramber Local History Society meeting at 7:45pm on Wednesday 2nd October in the Village Hall, Upper Beeding.

Shepherd and Dog – Murder Mystery Night

SD_murder_nightYou are invited to the Shepherd & Dog Manor House, Fulking for the auction of the family heirlooms, but all is not harmonious. Before long, it goes terribly wrong and murder is afoot, Who? How? Why?

MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT Saturday 12th October 2013
7.00 Arrival for prompt 7.15 start

The evening is hosted by two professional actors who will greet guests in character; some guests will play a suspect character, the rest play detectives. Whilst dinner is being served, there will be clues, scenes to witness and plenty of red herrings!!

As a guest at the manor house auction you are encouraged to dress in a suitable style to add to the atmosphere.

Luxury three course dinner and entertainment £39 per person

How to book:

A £10 deposit is required per person; Please email or post to the Shepherd & Dog. You can also pop in and see us.

Telephone: 01273 857382
Email: shepherdanddog01@yahoo.co.uk
Please book early as limited space available

Shepherd & Dog, The Street, Fulking, BN5 9LU