Local Lynx No. 150 - June/July 2023

ar opening to other events. We have traditionally had a
‘bring your own’ policy for such things as fish and chips,
harvest supper, barbecue, etc., and would like to know if the
opportunity to buy a beer or glass of wine on the evening
would be welcomed.
Looking ahead to August, this year’s barbecue will be on
Sunday 27 th August, rather than the usual Saturday. We
hope to have the usual sell-out crowd, despite the change of
day. Tickets will go on sale at the beginning of August.
Look out for posters nearer the time for more details. PM
BALE BOOK GROUP
The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan
The story goes like this: an unmarried
English couple, Colin and Mary,
holidaying in an unnamed foreign city that
bears a strong resemblance to Venice, fall
in with an older couple, Robert and
Caroline. The latter begin to dominate the
lives of the English couple. It is hard to
tell this story without giving away the
ending but from the beginning I felt
uneasy with a growing sense of dread.
Colin and Mary inhabit their bedroom, swim in the sea, and
walk a few late-night streets, but scarcely engage with the
richness of the past that surrounds them. They seem to be
bored with themselves and with each other.
They leave their hotel after 9pm one night, in search of
something to eat and lose their way. Their city is a place
where every shop and restaurant is already closed by this
hour. It is here that they come upon Robert who wears a
golden razor blade around his neck and who insists he
knows somewhere where they might find something. He
takes them to a bar that happens to be his own. There is no
food but for one breadstick and they get very drunk. As the
story progresses there are similar unexpected encounters
with Robert and everything becomes a lot more sinister with
a series of events that leads to obsession and violence.
This wasn’t one of the most loved books we have read as
a group but it did generate more than an hour’s discussion,
mostly critical! I was certainly drawn in from the start and
wanted to know what happened next. This is an early book
of the author and like The Cement Garden it explores
humanity’s capacity for evil. It is a very short book, around
170 pages, and had me in its stranglehold from the first page
to the last.
Sandy Chapman
100 CLUB RESULTS
If you would like to join the 100 Club, please pay the
annual subscription of £12 into account 20510658, sort code
82-11-07, using 100 and your surname as the reference. If
you are renewing your subscription, please note that the
account details have changed. The draw is held on the
second Friday of each month at Fish and Chips in Bale
village hall.
March 2023
1st Andrea Turnbull £25, 2nd Julia Bridge £10, 3rd Alastair
Macorkindale £5, 4th Rita Gibbs £5
April 2023
1st Rita Gibbs £25, 2nd Angus Jones £10, 3rd Adam
Chapman £5, 4th Dick Broughton £5
ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH
The Easter Day service was well attended and a
reminder of how uplifting it can be to join together and
enjoy singing hymns and the traditional, very generous gifts
of Easter eggs (thanks to Eileen, as always). The church
looked beautiful with artistic flower arrangements and that
great symbol of spring, the daffodil, adding a touch of
sunshine to the display. We are so lucky to have such a
talented group on the flower rota but there is always room
for more volunteers, if you would like to exhibit your skills.
As usual, we will be holding services of Holy
Communion at 9.30am on 4 th and 18 th June and 2 nd and 16 th
July.
PM
BALE PAINTING GROUP
Do you find yourself looking at images around you, on
TV or elsewhere, and wondering how they were done?
Before the invention of photography, images were produced
using many different methods. Cave art, created using
straws to blow pigments made of earth and water to outline
figures, may have been the very beginning of accurate
depictions. Today anything goes and all styles and media
are good.
The ability to create is in everyone. Bravery and
application are all that are required, perhaps with some
encouragement. There’s no pressure to create in a particular
way: just the time and space to get started and see where it
takes you. The opportunity to do so is at Bale village hall
most Monday afternoons.
We have been approached by our neighbours in
Gunthorpe village to participate in the July Art and Craft
Fair being held in the church there on 30 th July from 2pm.
Come along and meet group members. You may purchase
the items on view.
The painting sessions at Bale are held every Monday
from 1pm to 4pm in the village hall and run until the 24 th
July, restarting on 4 th September after the summer recess.
Email TheBalePaintingGroup@outlook.com or just
pitch up at a Monday session.
Peter Jones
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