Pulborough Shedders marked a major milestone this month with the official opening of their new, purpose‑built shed in Thakeham — a move that will allow the thriving group to welcome more members and expand its activities.

The ribbon was cut by Dr Tim Fooks, High Sheriff of Sussex, who joined founder Tim Tapley and dozens of Shedders, supporters and guests to celebrate the occasion. Until now, the group had been meeting in a converted room above Tim’s garage in Pulborough, a space they outgrew in just two years due to rising demand.

The new premises, transformed from an empty shell into a fully equipped workshop by members themselves, will now host twice‑weekly sessions. Woodworking and metalworking remain at the heart of the Shed’s offer, with experienced members always on hand to guide newcomers on tools and machinery. Thanks to generous donations from Pulborough residents, the workshop is already well stocked, and sewing and craft activities are set to be added soon.

In his opening remarks, Dr Fooks, who was officiating at his final official engagement of his tenure as High Sheriff, praised the Shedders for creating a space where people can connect, share skills and support one another. He highlighted the group’s role in encouraging conversations around mental health — something he noted can be particularly difficult for men.

Founder Tim Tapley also paid tribute to the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to bring the new shed to life. “It’s been a real team effort,” he said, acknowledging the hours of labour members contributed to make the building ready for use.

Pulborough Shedders is part of the UK Men’s Shed Association and welcomes anyone over the age of 18. The group brings people together to work on practical projects, share life experience and help one another — whether that’s fixing something, learning a new skill or simply enjoying good company.

For membership details and further information, visit Pulborough Shedders.

Pulborough works through a three‑tier local government system — Parish, District, and County—each handling different parts of daily life. Understanding who does what makes it much easier for you to know where decisions are made, how money flows, and who is accountable for which services.

Pulborough Parish Council (the local tier) - pulboroughparishcouncil.gov.uk

Pulborough Parish Council is the most immediate layer of government. It looks after the village’s public spaces, comments on planning, and represents residents’ views upward.

• Manages community assets such as children’s play areas, recreational fields, sports facilities, green spaces, allotments and bus shelters.
• Reviews planning applications and contributes to the Neighbourhood Plan.
• Oversees Neighbourhood Wardens and community engagement initiatives.
• Raises a precept (part of council tax) to fund local services.
• Operates through 15 councillors and a Clerk, with published agendas, minutes, and policies.

This tier is where residents can most easily influence decisions—meetings are open, and councillors are local. Check online or see local noticeboards for details of meetings and copies of minutes to find out what’s happening in your parish.

Horsham District Council (the district tier) - horsham.gov.uk

Horsham District Council covers a much wider area, including Pulborough. It handles services that are too large for a parish council but still local in nature.

• Planning decisions and development control.
• Waste and recycling collections.
• Environmental health, licensing, and housing services.
• Leisure centres, parks, and economic development.

Pulborough Parish Council feeds into many of these decisions but does not control them. It has two district councillors sitting as parish council members 

West Sussex County Council (the county tier) - westsussex.gov.uk

West Sussex County Council is responsible for the big, strategic services that affect the whole county.

• Roads, pavements, and highways.
• Schools and education.
• Social care for adults and children.
• Libraries, fire and rescue, and public health.
• Major transport and infrastructure planning.

These are high‑budget, long‑term services delivered at scale 

How the pieces fit together

Pulborough’s governance works because each tier handles a different scale of responsibility:

• Parish = hyper‑local spaces, community voice, and village‑level improvements.
• District = services that need professional teams and regulatory powers.
• County = large systems requiring major budgets and specialist expertise.

Residents often interact with all three without realising it—for example, a pothole (county), a planning application (district), and a broken piece of playground equipment (parish) all sit with different authorities.

The Pulborough Community Partnership is delighted to bring back this much cherished event after a two-year absence.

Save the Date

The Pulborough Harvest Fair takes place on Saturday 26 September 2026, with activities running throughout the day. Full details and a brochure will be released closer to the event.

In an ever-changing world, the fair stands as a reminder of the strength of local community, the richness of rural life, and the joy of coming together to celebrate the season’s bounty.

This year’s event promises a vibrant blend of tradition, local talent, and rural heritage—bringing together residents, visitors, and community groups for a day that celebrates everything that makes the village special.

A Tradition Rooted in Community

The Harvest Fair has long been a cherished event in Pulborough’s year, offering a chance for the community to gather, local producers to shine, and families to enjoy a day out that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly current.

What to Expect on the Day

Visitors can look forward to a lively programme of activities and attractions on the East Glebe Field and across the village, including:

• Local produce stalls featuring seasonal fruit, vegetables, honey, preserves, and baked goods from growers and makers across Pulborough and the local area.
• Craft and artisan makers, offering everything from handmade textiles to woodwork, ceramics, and unique gifts.
• Live entertainment, with performances from local musicians throughout the day.
• Children’s activities, including arts and crafts, cookery and produce growing competitions plus the ever-popular scarecrow trail.
• Food and drink, with a mix of street food, local brewers, and community-run refreshment stands

Spotlight on Local Producers

A highlight of this year’s fair is a renewed emphasis on supporting small businesses. With harvest season in full swing, the fair offers a platform for producers to showcase their products and connect directly with the community.

A Day for Everyone

Organisers have ensured the event remains accessible and welcoming. Entry is free, and activities are designed to appeal to all ages. Whether you’re a long‑time resident, a newcomer to the village, or simply visiting for the day, the Harvest Fair offers a warm invitation to experience Pulborough at its most spirited.

Volunteers Needed!

Lend a Hand at the Pulborough Harvest Fair!

The Pulborough Harvest Fair is shaping up to be a fantastic celebration of our village—but we can’t do it without the community behind it. We’re looking for volunteers to help before the event, on the day, and with the clear‑up on Sunday.

If you can spare a little time to help, your support will make a real difference.

A day helper would join a list of people who are happy to come along to help set up and run the event.

• Put up banners and bunting,
• Guide stall holders to the agreed sites
• Act as a steward for the show ring
• Sell raffle tickets
• Help pack up after the event

If you are on the list, you’ll be contacted some weeks beforehand and briefed on your tasks to make your part of the plan happen.

It’s a great way to contribute to a much‑loved local tradition, and be part of something joyful.

Every pair of hands counts.

If you’re willing to get involved, please email harvestfairpulborough@gmail.com and join the team that brings the Harvest Fair to life.

Growing Participation in Music Lessons

Following a successful open day, new students have begun singing, guitar and piano lessons, with pairing arrangements now underway to support their progression.

Strengthening Local Partnerships

A meeting with St Mary’s School, Pulborough, is exploring outreach opportunities and potential collaborative programmes. This partnership aims to widen access to music education and create new pathways for young people to engage with the arts.

A collaboration with the West Chiltington Silver Band is creating new opportunities for young people to learn to play brass instruments and when they are ready, to join experienced, established players performing at local events such as the ever popular village harvest fair.

Live Performance Opportunities on the Horizon

A series of performance events is being lined up to give young musicians valuable real‑world experience and build their confidence:

• ABC Animal Sanctuary – Sundowner Event (date TBC)
• Under‑18s Open Mic – restarting this summer

These events will help young performers develop stage skills, increase community visibility, and take meaningful steps in their musical journeys.

Further Information

For further information on the Future of Music Project please email: 

Futureofmusicproject@gmail.com 

or visit our facebook page