fulking.net - This is the community website for the people of Fulking, West Sussex

Bobservation No. 129: Nearby Festival

Henfield Festival of Gardens & Arts

Well worth a visit to this Event which has been taking place for 26 years and is well worth a stroll around Henfield on either Saturday or Sunday June 7 & 8. Individual gardens are open to the public on one day or the other and in some cases both days. Open from 11am till 5pm full details of gardens, artists, and musicians can be obtained from the website: www.henfieldgardensandarts.net. Or you might be lucky to get a hard copy of the programme from one of the shops in Henfield High Street. Entry is free but please bring cash to donate to one of each venue’s own charities.

Annual Parish Meeting

The ANNUAL MEETING OF COUNCIL & ANNUAL PARISH MEETING will be held on WEDNESDAY 14TH May 2025 at 7.30pm at Fulking Village Hall.

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.

Agenda: Annual Meeting of Council

25/026/AMC Chairman’s Welcome followed by Election of Chair & Vice Chair

Agenda: Annual Parish Meeting

25/027/APM Apologies for Absence

25/028/APM Approval of previous years’ minutes Annual Parish Meeting 14th May 2024

25/029/APM Chairman’s report

25/030/APM Reports from District & County Councillors

25/031/APM. To consider and agree the Internal Audit Report Letter dated 20/04/2025.

25/032/APM. To consider and agree the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for the year ending 31 March 2025 ensuring it accurately presents the financial management of the Council as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

25/033/PM Village Hall

25/034/PM Planning Application – SDNP/25/01663/CND

Proposal: Change of Condition 2 (Approved plans) for SDNP/24/01324/HOUS.

Location: Furzefield , Clappers Lane, Fulking, West Sussex, BN5 9NJ

25/035/PM Planning Application – SDNPA/24/05059/LDP

Proposal: Use of the land as a recreational campsite for not more than 60 days in total in the calendar year 2025. There are not more than 50 pitches. The moveable structures shown on the site plan are solely for the purposes of the permitted use.

Location: The Springs , Edburton Road, Edburton, West Sussex, BN5 9LN

Date of next Ordinary Meeting Thursday 3rd July 2025.

Bobservation No. 128: Getting About

Village Hall Fund
Seeking to achieve the purchase of the Fulking village hall, chapel and adjacent land for £85,000 by 31 December it is reported that £20,000 has already been collected. This is a magnificent start to the campaign.
I wish the committee success in what they are seeking to achieve and will follow with great interest the magnificent £barometer that Jen Green has created and displayed at the foot of the hall steps. It would be good to be able to see the current collection amount on a day to day basis on the village web site.
Travel
Having just had my 94 birthday and reflecting on the many shortcomings in my slightly indulged life I find that age, most of all, makes it is very difficult to travel any distance. Therefore I urge you, if you have the inclination and means, to travel as much as you can afford while you are able.
Travel is a great stimulus for reflection and pleasure as well as an opportunity to learn about other people and places. Quite recently an article in Tripadvisor voted Elafonisi in Crete as the best beach in the world and I remember managing to see it in about 1985 when it was completely empty of people. It was quite beautiful. Now it is a popular sideshow and according to the current pictures of it is a crowded tourist attraction.
So, the warning is to take great care in researching where you are going to and plan very carefully how and when you are going to achieve the most satisfying trip.

Bobservation No. 127: Fulking Village History

Fulking_Village_Hall_posterized It is not popularly known that in the sixteenth century the local baron, Sir John Poyynings, who held the title of Lord of the Manor, offered the (then) village hall to the villagers to use for protecting their pigs from predation. This at a price of 6 hens, 23 eggs, 4 rabbits, 4 hours of tree felling, services of 7 virgins, use of 4 drummer boys, 1 gallon of mead, 6 bundles of firewood and an artist’s impression of the lady of the manor in crayon. After three months the village elders decided to discuss the offer and agreed to hold a public meeting before the next leap year. Regrettably before the meeting was held Sir John had absconded to Molliscombe with several of the village wives and as an atonement for his sins donated the hall to the Church of England. What right the Baron had to dispose of the hall in this manner we shall never know. 1/4/25

Bobservation No: 126. Domestic and International Matters

Village Hall
I read in BN5 that the fund-raising for the purchase of the village hall is underway. I sincerely wish the committee every success in this impressive and much needed venture.

Domestic Weather
This seems like the longest and most demanding autumn and winter in living memory and it is not even finished yet!. It has been quite chilly at times but not as cold as it used to be. The downside has been the rain and generally damp climate. There have been excessive water flooding problems in Clappers Lane and footpaths and gardens have been saturated. There is just a feeling of Spring with primroses and daffodils appearing everywhere.

International matters
I cannot remember such a concerning world- wide situation. There have been, and still are, many conflicts in the world, mostly totally unnecessary. Surely with a modicum of goodwill and common sense the major powers could support and strengthen the United Nations Organisation to a degree that eliminates and continues to eliminate war globally. This would enable most countries to redirect vast amounts of spending from armaments to climate change and providing the basic needs of all peoples worldwide. If this is not attainable then I cannot see any liveable future for our descendants. I am glad to be moving towards the end of life rather than the beginning.