As the period of mourning concludes and we enter the reign of His Royal Highness King Charles the Third, we slowly adjust back to life as normal following the extraordinary events of the past two weeks. Parliament – its people and its places – has been central to those events. It has been a privilege to humbly witness on behalf of constituents moments in history such as tributes in the House of Commons, the procession of Her late Majesty to Westminster Hall and the address by the new King to both Houses of Parliament. I returned to Westminster again on Tuesday to swear the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty the King in Parliament after which we resume our usual business.
Meanwhile, quietly, and with moments of respect built into their programmes, many local events took place as usual recently. The Findon Sheep Fair and West Grinstead Ploughing Match both went ahead. Her late Majesty loved both the countryside and animals so in each case it was the right decision to make. Each was well attended as we firmly put the Covid restricted years behind us. I attended both events and had a chance to observe the flair of our local farmers in both instances.
Following a two year hiatus, I was able to join our community at the Findon Sheep Fair. First permitted by Charter around 1261, the Fair featured over 35 breeds of sheep – exemplary of the wide skillset of our farmers and their dedication to managing the livestock around us – bringing tourists and locals alike closer to the countryside and everything it has to offer. We all benefitted from the long traditions of the village festival, especially in the provision of thrills and nostalgia delivered by The Harris Fun Fair who have been operating since 1940.
Separately, I also joined the West Grinstead & District Ploughing Match – marking 150 years of the event – which did exceptionally well in promoting the interests of our local agricultural community showcasing the craftsmanship of our farmers. During the visit, I had an opportunity to meet the Arun to Adur Farmers Group to discuss the crucial conservation work they undertake across West Sussex. I am passionate about protecting our countryside, and so it is always a pleasure to observe highly-skilled women and men putting their passion to work in protecting our soil and wildlife.
