Falmer

FALMER POND: As in the hedgerows there is a great deal of activity around the pond and soon, I am sure, we will be seeing ducks finding nesting places on the north side of the village. Dr David Harper, who gave a talk about the birds around Falmer, gave a warning, that every year when the ducklings are hatched they take a hazardous journey back to the pond over the very busy A27. This reminded me that many years ago, possibly 20 years, Percy Bolton who then lived in Middle Street, saw a family of ducklings waddling after their mother down Ridge Road, he scooped up the little ones into his handkerchief, much to the consternation of their mother, and then with her following him he walked to the footbridge and placed them down, and they were soon on their way safely back to the pond. We shall have to be extra vigilant for any migrants this spring.

GINGER CAT: Knocking on our door, this week, we had a concerned neighbour asking if we knew of anyone in the village who owned a very large ginger tom cat. Apparently he has taken up residence in her garden but her cats are petrified of him. If no one claims him, he is being taken to the vet for the ‘snip’ her words not mine, and will be taken to the top stables where he will be encouraged to stay and keep mice down. It’s good to hear he will be looked after if his owner cannot be found.

FALMER ALLOTMENTS: I wonder how many people know we have allotments in the village? Last week I attended the AGM of the Brighton and Hove Allotment Society. The Falmer allotments are owned by Brighton hence we are members of this organisation. The meeting was well attended and after the business we listened to a talk about the important propagation that bees, hover flies and other creatures do for our plants, and we should all be encouraged to attract them into our gardens. We are very lucky here in Falmer, we see so many bumble bees, and honey bees, and in the past years we have had mason bees and leaf cutting bees in our garden. We did lose our ground nesting bumble bee when the badger dug her out, but I am sure she is now living in one of the drain holes in our brick wall.

CHURCH SERVICE: Sunday is Palm Sunday and the congregation of St Laurence Church will be meeting in the village hall at 10am, to process around the pond to the church to begin the service. We are hoping it will be fine, if it is wet we will have to abandon this idea and make our way directly to the church as normal.

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