Bobservation No. 124: Speak of the Devil

Front cover of Devils Dyke book with image of devil and promotion of Devil's Dyke parkThe Devil’s Dyke
Martin Easdown has put together a most delightful and informative softback (A4size) history of the Dyke. This has extensive details of the three railways connected with area. Marvellous photographs from various archives including many of which come from the collection of Steve Poyntz. The original hard back edition was published in 2023 (limited to 100 copies) and was again published in 2024 by Marsteila & Brighton & Hove Museums. I got my copy from the dedicated Poynings villager Sheila Marshall who had a few copies for sale at £10. This is an absolute ‘steal’ for anyone interested in local history or who uses the great pleasure of the local Downland for dog walking etc.
The Church of England
My oh my! what a ghastly mess the Church of England finds itself in, culminating for the present, with the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. To my simplistic eye it looks very much that the only acceptable way forward would be to appoint a lady bishop as head of the Church and give her the authority to sort out the whole indecent mess. Whilst I am not a member of the Church I do feel there was a nationally stabilizing base emanating from its position. This is likely to erode very quickly unless positive action is taken. My sympathies lie with the many who choose to support this very old institution. It must be very disappointing and confusing for them.
Felicitations
I take this opportunity to wish you all very happy, successful and most importantly a healthy New Year. I believe that 2025 may well be a year of national re-emergence from the last sad decade. I hope to join you in this success, my heart still belongs to Fulking!

Village Hall Survey

Fulking Village Hall Survey

Fulking_Village_Hall_posterizedPlease complete a short survey by 31st January to help shape future activities and improvements at Fulking Village Hall….or paste this link into your browser: https://forms.gle/xeiUdJYrdgb6ETTH9

Your feedback is really important to help develop the hall into a permanent and valuable asset for everyone in our community of local villages.

Please also Save The Date for the Open Day at Fulking Village Hall on 11th January.

Bobservation No. 123: Mortality

Back & White image of Call my Bluff panellists with John Prescott's head replacing Fank MuirMortality
The death of John Prescott will matter very differently to many of you. On the one hand a great symbol of the rise of the working class in British politics and on the other as an ignorant, uneducated man. I happen to be in the former category and recall some of his great vociferations in the House of Commons, his dedication to the cause of democracy and being a larger than life figure that now and then appears on the political scene. In a way his death serves as a reminder to us all that however long and important a life may be it is but a brief flutter in the course of time. As I get older, without having achieved the fame of John Prescott, I can look back with great pride at my small involvement with the marvellous village of Fulking and the many friends I have made there.

Call my Bluff evening
Now, having a really successful ‘Call my Bluff’ wine evening was always one of the highlights of the Social Committee’s year but Sally and Jenny, ably assisted by the generosity of Majestic and all the others who put in so much work on the evening raised an incredible £1000+. This will greatly help to cover some of the outgoings that are so necessary to keep the ageing village hall going. Mrs Ormsby-Gore asked me to congratulate Geoff on winning the quiz!

Planning Meeting 18th November 2024

You are cordially invited to an Extraordinary Meeting of Fulking Parish Council at Fulking Village Hall on Monday 18th November 2024 at 7.30pm. 

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.   

24/063/PM.          Apologies for Absence. 

24/064/PM.          Declaration of Members’ Interests. 

24/065/PM.          Planning matters – SDNP/24/02084/FUL 

Proposal: Removal of the existing public grass bank to the front of the property, and formation of new hardstanding/driveway  

Location: 13 Clappers Lane, Fulking, West Sussex, BN5 9ND Grid Ref: Eastings: 524922, Northings: 111602 

24/066/PM.          Planning Appeal – Small Acres